This Saturday the W1s travelled to Chiswick to face London Wayfarers, the first of a tough run of games to finish out this season. Wayfarers had presented perhaps the biggest challenge to Southgate this season so far on their previous meeting, with Southgate edging out a 2-1 win back in November. With Guildford snapping at our heels at the top of the table, a good result was really important.

Southgate started well and piled on the pressure in the first quarter, with eventually a well executed corner routine being stopped only by a Wayfarer’s body on the line. Jess Olorenshaw stepped up to cooly to slot home the stroke to take the girls 1-0 up.

In the second quarter, Southgate weathered some good pressure from Wayfarer’s who had some strong ball carriers in midfield and looked to counter attack quickly. Molly Smith stood firm in goal, and made some cool, calm, and collected saves whenever she was called upon. Southgate reacted to the pressure in the way they know best, and converted another corner down the other end – this time with a back post deflection by Emma McIntyre. The score was 2-0 at half time.

The second half saw Southgate dominate and play the free flowing hockey we know we are capable of. Helen Cathcart picked up the ball unmarked in the circle and took it round the keeper nicely to make it 3-0, before a quick counter attack finished off by a first time slap from Connie Vickers made it 4 by the three quarter time. In the final quarter, a lovely deflection from Lorna Cruickshank from a Charlotte Childs hit brought the score up to 5-0, and ensured the Southgate girls took all 3 points back to North London.

A superb performance by all the girls and an emphatic victory to put a real statement out to the league, and boost the all important goal difference, with 2 tough fixtures to come. Our eyes turn next to a tough Hampstead side who we face at home at 3:30 this Saturday. As always, any support is much appreciated!