Women’s 3s 2 - 1 Southgate 2s (A)
By Sophie Osborne
On a day where the heavens opened, Surbiton Women’s 3s made the trek to North London to go play Southgate, who sat just below them in the table.
Surbiton started well, winning a short corner within the first couple of minutes after a high hit by a Southgate defender (inside the D) hit Lucy high - ouch! No goal was scored but Surbi continued to be rampant in their pursuit of the opening goal. They were duly rewarded with more short corners thanks to some great counter attacking and silky skills. On one of these corners, a tantalising ball from Emma to the back post was just missed so the game remained goalless.
Southgate had a few opportunities, particularly on the breakaway with a couple of pacy and powerful players. But none that Delphine in goal couldn’t stop. She was an absolute wall. However, an error from the Surbi defence left Delphine with too much to do as Southgate sprinted into the D and put the ball in the back of the net. 1-0 to Southgate, just 30 seconds before half time.
Despite having had most of the opportunities, Surbi now found themselves behind in an important match in the title race. The next half began and Southgate came out seeing the three points not far off and were desperately trying to reach them. They continued to pass the ball around the back but Surbi remained robust. As the match (and its clock!) went on, Surbiton found another gear and stepped it up. With about 15 minutes to go, Surbi won yet another short corner. This time, debutant Luca Mitchell stepped up. One drag flick, one goal. 1-1.
Buoyed by Luca’s superb goal, Surbi went again. The pressing had a new found intensity which led to Southgate feeling the pressure. They continued to transfer the ball round the back until it all became too much. The Southgate skipper/centre back kicked the ball in the D - perfect. With just two minutes to go Surbi now had another short corner. With Luca off the pitch, the drag flick couldn’t be utilised again so a straight strike was opted for instead. The keeper saved the ball and the rebound came short and after a bit of a scrap the ball hit the post and finally fell to Katie who flicked it passed the disorientated backline of Southgate. 2-1 to Surbiton!
A special mention must go to Catie P who turned 18 on the day - happy birthday and what better way to celebrate than with a win!
Player of the Match was Luca who was excellent all game with great aerials and most importantly a brilliant and very important debut goal!
DOD goes to me for falling over the keeper in a desperate attempt to deflect the ball in the back of the net and then pointing to an old graze afterwards…
The W3s continue their last push for the title with four games remaining and Hampstead & Westminster at home next week. This result has placed them just four points behind leaders Wapping and a point behind Barnes, whom they beat last week, also 2-1.