Alistair Whatley reports from Trent Park where Southgate Hockey Club’s elite men’s team shared the points with Richmond HC

Richmond’s William Burns makes a save (credit Simon Parker/SP Action Images)

Southgate’s men took an important point away from their clash with league newcomers Richmond on Saturday (9th) under the lights at Southgate Hockey Centre.

Yet once again, Huw Stevens’ side will be rueing the missed opportunities against one of the teams struggling for survival in the premier division of English hockey.

The home side came into the contest full of confidence after a stellar performance away against top side Surbiton the previous weekend which only just saw them miss out on a shock result in the final minutes of time. Richmond, meanwhile, travelled across London reeling from a 7-0 loss to Holcombe and a string of tough results, determined to make the most of a game that they felt was in reach of crucial points to fend off a relegation scrap.

Yet, Hamish Imrie’s side bounced into the first quarter full of energy and immediately won a succession of corners, the third of which from captain Scott Wall beat Calum Douglas down the middle channel, only for the goal to be disallowed by umpire Martin Twist. Still Richmond pressed on and forced play into the Southgate D. Moments later, in the eighth minute, at their fourth penalty corner attempt, Scott Wall converted off a deflection from number one runner Richmond Lum, which left Douglas wrong footed, gifting the visitors an early lead.

But Southgate once again, fighting a rear-guard action, responded quickly with Hugh Page winning a corner with some quick ingenuity from the top D. Archie Foster on the left castle from a Xaiver Guy injection flicked low and right, just beating William Burns in goal, the ball saved off the line by the Richmond defender which then seemed to just cross the goal line. Umpire Daniel Stewart was unable to get a clear view, however, and despite voluble protest from the Southgate support he awarded a penalty corner which, this time, Foster put away with aplomb, finding a sharp angle down Burns left corridor to equalise with the home cheers reverberating around Trent Park.

Richmond enjoyed 60% of the possession and four corners in the first quarter but Southgate, buoyed by their goal, ensured the second quarter would not follow in the same vein with some dominant play, denying Richmond any meaningful possession. Nat Farrant went very close with a baseline run, however, just missing the connection with the return ball from Richmond Lum on the near post. It represented the only chance of either team in the second quarter.

It was slim pickings at either end, but with the home side increasingly dominant. Skipper John Sterlini and his Southgate team headed into half time the happier of the two sides as the score was deadlocked at 1-1.

Southgate continued to dominate the third quarter with some steady build-up play, resulting in two more penalty corners being awarded, yet both were well saved by Burns who was putting in an increasingly imposing performance in the Richmond goal.

With tensions rising on the balcony and on the sidelines, the final quarter saw the game erupt into a thrilling contest, with both sides getting shots away at either end. Calum Douglas pulled off what looked to be the save of the day with a reflex save off a Rory Nichols Corner, sending the ball just over the crossbar to keep the score level. But just a minute later, Archie Foster on the right of the D got a well-taken shot away into the bottom left corner, which looked certain to gift the points to Southgate, only for Burns to make a miracle extended-stick save low to his left. It was an outrageous piece of keeping that ensured the game went to the whistle at 1-1 with the points and hour shared.

Southgate will nevertheless reflect on the missed opportunity. The stats alone suggest a dominant display with 58% possession, 24 circle entries and nine corners with just the one goal coming. The point nevertheless keeps Southgate away from the drop zone, but they will need to be on their game on Saturday (16th) if they want to get the better of Holcombe, as Kwan Browne and his players make their return to Southgate for the first time since leaving the club unexpectedly over the summer. Fireworks are expected!

Final score: Southgate 1 Richmond 1

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