Southgate fall to Hampstead sword as Guise-Brown brace proves the difference
Match Report by Alastair Whatley

2-4 L

A pulsating game of hockey saw Southgate lose a 2-1 advantage in the final quarter as Matt Guise Brown showcased his skill from the top D with a clinical brace of expert flicks to steal the win from the home side.

There was little to separate the teams for much of the game with strong physicality and some niggle clearly visible as this local derby lived up the hype as one of the big games on a Y1 Super Saturday. The first quarter ended 0-0 despite Southgate winning a couple of corners well run down by the Hampstead defence.

Tom Crowson edged the lead for the visitors in the 26th minute which spurred an immediate response from the home team cheered on from the vocal ‘Gate supporters as less than 2 minutes later Matt Ramshaw clinically finished on his back foot from the middle of the D to beat GB and Wales international Toby Reynolds-Cotterill who had already showcased his skills with some exceptional saves.

Half time saw both sides catch their breaths with the game posted evenly a 1-1, but it was Jack Middleton who driving into the Hampstead D in the 49th minute drew the foul as he went to shoot at goal causing Umpire Martin Twist to award a Penalty Flick which was duly finished with customary precision by Player/Coach Kwan Browne.

The game soon went into the 3rd quarter with home supporters smelling a famous victory as Southgate held their advantage for just a matter of seconds when captain Samuel French beat Gate keeper van Loggerenberg to level the scoreboard 2-2. Hampstead first two corners in the first half were well fended off by the Southgate defence, but then in the 63rd minute the routine changed and the ball fell to the right castle and the South African international full back finished with composure into the top right netting and giving the visitors a crucial goal advantage with 7 minutes on the clock.

Southgate fought back doggedly with some smart interchanges particularly between Will Calnan and Matt Ramshaw who nearly teamed up to score the goal of the season with a ball sitting up for Ramshaw to leather pall-mall the ball over the Hampstead goal. Yet it was the visitors in their eponymous blue and white striped shirts who won a further PC in the 66th minute again well finished by Guise-Brown. Browne took go his keeper for the final minutes but despite some strong pressure on the Hampstead D were unable to convert leaving the home rueing what could have been as they scored their 2nd consecutive loss despite often dominating both games for sustained periods.

Next up John Sterlini and his side face up to the threat from Wimbledon who travel back from the continent where Karl Stagno’s side have been competing in the Indoor Euro championships after themselves beating Hampstead 0-5 away from home. It is set to be a great encounter. 5pm PB at Southgate Hockey Centre.