Both goalkeepers praised following scoreless game between Southgate and Guildford in Trent Park, writes Alastair Whatley

Southgate women took on Guildford (credit Simon Parker/SP Action Images)

Two keepers put in consummate performances in a goalless draw despite 20 chances being created at either end as Southgate Hockey Club’s women’s team picked up an important point to kick off their season.

The last time the two sides had met in league action was at the end of 2022/23, when Southgate capped off an invincible season to secure promotion with the last gasp of the final game. That year, it was Southgate who just pipped Guildford to the East Conference crown and, with it, promotion to EHL Division One, a step below the top tier. One year on, Guildford themselves battled their way to promotion to join Southgate and, as fate would have it, the former promotion rivals were drawn to contest the first game of 2024/25.

Shay O’Connell, Guildford’s coach, set his side up smartly for the contest and, from the off, made Andy Richardson’s Southgate side work for every piece of possession.

Southgate’s keeper was called into action early as Guildford chances in the third and sixth minute were steered to safety. Southgate reacted immediately and, seconds later, were deep into Guildford territory when Lorna Cruickshank fired a reverse shot into the pads of Guildford and Welsh international keeper Rose Thomas. Cruickshank was back into the fray moments later as she steered a shot on her back foot but, again, Thomas was a match for it.

The second quarter saw some expansive hockey from both sides with Southgate taking the initiative in a well-worked attack through the middle of the pitch, linking new signings Caitlin Polley and Imogen Swann, bringing in Southgate forward Jess Denniff, who almost had
the beating of Thomas in the Guildford goal. Yet, Thomas recovered her position at the last moment, and Denniff couldn’t quite bring it home.

Guildford clawed the momentum back and, in their strongest attack of the game, saw the South African player Kerryn Swanepoel drive hard down the right channel, cutting inside the home defence and moving the ball expertly on to her reverse, shooting hard towards the roof of the goal, but Bray was on her toes and put her glove up in a superb reaction save to deny the visitors.

Guildford kept up the pressure and sent two more shots hard at the boughs of the Southgate goal but Bray and her defence held firm and the game went into half-time on an even and finely poised keel.

Chances continued throughout the second half. Thomas was immediately called into action, making a triple save after Charlotte Childs broke through the Guildford lines within 30 seconds of the restart. Southgate proceeded to dominate much of the half with
Thomas forced into a series of spectacular saves, including an extraordinary low diving stick save on her right from a well struck reaction shot on her upright reverse from Childs. It drew gasps from Southgate and Guildford supporters alike.

The game ended in a scoreless stalemate. Southgate will look forward to an away match against Barnes on Saturday afternoon, which once again pits two fierce adversaries against each other in what will prove a fascinating contest at Dukes Meadow.

Final score: Southgate 0 Guildford 0

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