Middleton goal a moment of quality in a tough away fixture which saw Southgate extend undefeated run but also saw points left out on the pitch at the Quentin Hogg Memorial ground.
A beautiful day in West London turned into a cold night as our M1 side travelled across London to take on rivals and relegation threatened rivals Richmond in a huge game of Premier Division National League Hockey.
Southgate came to the game with confidence after an undefeated start to their phase 2 campaign which saw them beats Cardiff on away soil before a keenly contested 3-3 draw to East Grinstead last weekend.
Coach Huw Stevens’ and his players got off to a slow start as the vocal home support immediately made an impression encouraging a succession of turnovers in the early stages of the game. The Gate defence remained resolute before Jack Middleton showed his quality in a superb run down the right cutting back and chipping the ball through the reach of the Richmond keeper.
Southgate’s Jack Middleton scores the opening goal. Southgate – EH Men’s Premier Division at Quintin Hogg Memorial Ground, Chiswick, London, UK on 15 March 2025.
Photo by Simon Parker/SP Action Images
Southgate grew into the game in the 2nd quarter with sustained pressure on the home side, Dan West and Karan Sofat asking plenty of questions to no avail as the game headed into half time with the score stuck at 0-1 with the Southgate noses in front.
The third quarter immediately began in a frenetic state of action with repeated turnovers from both sides and chances coming at both ends. Dan West went closest with a firm strike from top D which met with Sean Davis on the far post somehow managing to deflect past the near post in a feat of physics that would test the finest students of the laws of motion. The quality on the pitch fell away in direct relation to the level of competitive spirit on show, Archie Foster leading from the front as he forced chances, won fouls and found himself with a card in the final quarter.
Scott Wall the Richmond captain had enjoyed a sterling game, marshalling the game from the rear lines and giving Gate keeper Calum Douglas plenty to do from his eagle eyed flick from top D at the Richmond won PC’s. Eventually the dam burst in the 63rd minute when Wall sent Douglas the wrong way splitting the PCD defensive unit and equalising the game for the home side.
Mo Gandhi and Rob Gill stood out over the ensuing minutes in their tenacious and dogged defending yet Richmond had the momentum which held into the final seconds when they won a crucial PC in the dying embers of the game as the umpires blew the final whistle. With all the Richmond players crowded round the D, Karan Sofat proved the hero for Southgate as he ran down Scott walls flick on goal to give Southgate crucial away point and keep them in the running to avoid relegation and maintain their Premier division status for next year.
This weekend John Sterlini‘s players look forward to welcoming Beeston for the final phase 2 match at home in what is a must win game. With GB international and top scorer of Henry Croft on the visitors team sheet the Southgate defence will be sure to have their work cut out in what will surely be be a thrilling contest which could determine the runners and riders for phase 3 starting in just two weeks time
