The Southgate Lions (also known as the Flagons/o35s) took to the field at Polo farm for a much anticipated cup tie that saw old friends return and new friends made under the spring sunshine in a high quality game that was not short of drama.
Captain Alastair Whatley fielded an impressive side of Southgate talent including former Scottish international Allan Dick in goal and former Welsh international and Canterbury alumni Huw Stevens at centre back. In fact Whatley fielded both Southgate’s head Women’s coach in Andy Richardson and the M1 coach Huw Stevens – both of whom played for Canterbury in their Mens 1st team just a few (…) years ago.
With Sim Bird making his Lions debut up front and some returning favourites in midfield it was a buoyant squad that ventured to Polo farm to take on an equally strong Canterbury side whose supporters turned out in numbers to support the home side and throw some well timed barbs at their old friends.
Southgate started strongly with Sim Bird managing to miss a prime opportunity just north of the Canterbury goal line within first few minutes. Iain Gordon and Mark Ellis put in a huge shift in midfield which helped create the first goal when Lum Chau picked up a ball on the left channel and found Sim Bird on the right post for a well taken strike to send the visitors up with the goal advantage.
Canterbury replied quickly after Huw Stevens deployed his cricketing skills to impress the Canterbury supporters and picked up the ball in the D earning a PC for Canterbury which was duly converted. Determined to right the wrong which had earned him his DOD vote post game, he duly stepped forward and converted a PC at the other end on the second phase to put the Gate back in front.
There was plenty of ribald chat on the pitch as the game lived up to its billing and chances flowed at both ends. Half time saw the teams recover from the heat and hard work which clearly took it’s toll as the second half proved a more entertaining albeit less of a quality affair with some mistakes entering the fray from both sides.
Canterbury equalised in the 43rd minute and that led to a succession of cards from both sides and much noise from the sidelines. Allan Dick put in a heroic performance in goal fending off a succession of saves with cat like alacrity of movement denying the home side the lead.
It took until the dying minutes for Huw Stevens to slightly mis time a challenge allowing the Canterbury number 6 to convert a goal with real finesse from top D putting the home side a goal up with just 60 seconds to play. For Southgate it felt like the game and cup run was over, yet Sim Bird had other ideas working a loose ball into an opportunity and feeding a ball into the Caterbury 25 only to send a ball into the D where Andy Fell a centre back had unusual found himself far north of the border. Fell found a glimmer of touch from the Sim Bird ball and saw it fall past the feet of Canterbury keeper Andrew Howard to level the game at the death.
A shoot out followed played in great spirits but fun of tension which saw Bird miss for Southgate, Canterbury take the advantage, goals followed for Huw Stevens, Lum Chau, Magic McClean and meanwhile Allan Dick earned his MVL by saving two from Canterbury to give the Lions he edge- it was left to Iain Gordon to step forwards and beat Howard to give the visitors the win and propel them to the Tier 1 EH cup semi final in a few weeks.
Thanks to Canterbury for their sportsmanship and hospitality in what was a thrilling game of hockey played in beautiful conditions at Polo Farm and thanks to Justin Edwards for making the kong journey to umpire. The Lions cup run continues.
