Match Report by Alastair Whatley
Southgate M2’s took on PHC Chiswick M1’s on Saturday at home in front of an expectant crowd keen to see the feted team deliver another 3 points as they strive towards National League Status.
The team started well with Aedan McCrossan and Matt Morey working well in midfield linking well with the dynamic threat of Sim Bird and Harry Haynes running the channels in the Chiswick 23.
Gate won a string of PC’s but they were saved well by the Chiswick keeper only for a counter attack leading to a well worked goal from the visitors in minute 11 leaving Southgate with an upward task.
That task ultimately fell to the unlikeliest of hands as the chiselled form of centre back Ollie Wickham stepped into nose bleed territory north of his usual hunting grounds and inexplicably showed some clinical finishing previously not seen by his forward line. A daring dart from the right channel, a shimmy over some forlorn Chiswick sticks and a smash and grab finish evened the scoreline by half time.
The team came out with conviction after a rousing half time talk and dominated the second half, although clear chances were few and far between. Sim Sausage Bird rocketed a few reverse volleys from the left well cleared once again by the oppo keeper. Ultimately though the 3 points fell to the man of the hour Andrew Westbrook who used a bit of old fashioned Southgare guile to bring down a decent ball onto the right hand side of the Chiwsick D before steering a shot through the lines and into the sideboard cueing jubilant scenes on the balcony as the score stretched to 2-1.
A token of ill discipline led to a succession of Southgate cards including an audacious yellow to Ollie Wickham who had been seen to kick the ball in spite of himself and ended up seeing out the game on the naughty step. Veysel in goal worked hard to prevent Chiswick from rallying with Will Shepherdson, Louie Sadler and captain Andy Fell putting in some derring do in the Southgate D to hold onto a well earned 3 points.
2 wins from 2. Next up Spencer away where the boys look to build on two strong performances and beef up the goals tally.
