Every now and then a game will go down in legend, living long in the memory with stories recounted over post match beers for years to come. We’ve had our fair share in the M5’s, particularly in recent seasons. An 8-3 hammering of unbeaten Hampstead an Westminster, a second half Mitch masterclass to comeback against Indian Gym, a late miraculous save by Sam Levene followed by a Freddie Trathern winner against promotion rivals West Hampstead, a 3-2 away comeback win against runaway league leaders London Royals.
We now have another.
The game started slowly for the M5’s, with the away team Harrow 1’s stronger in the tackle, quicker to the 50-50s, and pressing high to regain possession in the Southgate half. The hosts survived an early warning, with an attack down the right resulting in a ball fizzed across the face of Justin’s goal that the attacker couldn’t quite meet. The warning wasn’t heeded, as just a few minutes later a similar attack down the right was this time met by a yellow shirt, the attacker gratefully converting from close range.
Southgate 0-1 Harrow
Southgate responded with a couple of decent spells, occasionally threatening, but with no end product. 25 minutes into the game, it was the away side who managed to double the lead. After another turnover in Southgate’s half, Harrow had an overload in the D. With the ball falling to a yellow shirt in front of goal, keeper on the floor, Joe Sopher did well to intervene at the cost of a Penalty Corner. The relief was short lived however, as the PC was struck hard and low against the Southgate backboard.
Southgate 0-2 Harrow
A half time team talk demanded better from the home side, with skipper Robbo taking encouragement from the decent spells in the first half. Harrow’s 2nd half tactic soon became apparent; sit back and defend in numbers. In all fairness to the team in yellow, they did a decent job. As the clock ticked on in the second half, a comfortable victory looked to be on the cards for the away team. Every tackle and turnover was celebrated, with spirits rising and confidence growing for Harrow, as the M5’s couldn’t find a way through. Harrow almost put the game to bed, as they once again found the Southgate backboard, although the definitive touch was adjudged to have occurred outside the D.
With just 7 minutes left on the clock, Southgate finally had a lifeline back into the game. Akash did well to get a first time shot away on a moving ball into the D; giving the defender and keeper little time to react. The ball struck the base of the post, rebounded into the diving keeper’s back as he hit the ground, and trickled over the line.
Southgate 1-2 Harrow
The game became an exaggerated version of the last 30 minutes. Southgate desperately pushed for an equalizer, as Harrow did their best to slow the game down, run the ball to the corners and frustrate the home side. It worked for 5 minutes. With just 2 minutes left on the clock, some great work from Sohan down the left resulted in a PC for Southgate as he found a Harrow foot inside the D. Alex Prior dragged the ball hard towards goal, and found the back of the net to get Southgate back onto level terms late in the game.
Southgate 2-2 Harrow
There was no discussion about whether to stick or twist on 2-2. As Joe Sopher ran back to place the ball on the centre spot for a quick restart, Harrow must have feared the worst. Immediately from the push back, yellow shirts were now hunted manically by swarms of red. With just seconds left on the clock, it was Sohan once again who unlocked the Harrow defence. Picking the ball up on the left of the D, Sohan danced his way past 2 defenders on the baseline, but instead of putting the ball on a foot, this time managed to pull the ball back into the centre towards the awaiting Alex Prior. As the ball evaded the Harrow defender, Alex calmly turned and powered the ball into the net to spark wild celebrations, with what turned out to be the very last touch of the game.
Southgate 3-2 Harrow