Southgate Tankards X 2 - 1 Hertford VI

With our regular midfield missing, even a guest appearance from Howie Wilson couldn't quite tilt a high quality, evenly matched game our way.

5 changes from our last outing, with Chris Duncan and Kash back in tandem up front, well supported by DPJ. A lively start saw first blood to us as Chris Dean and DPJ combined to put Chris Duncan in on the keepers pads, the block was picked up and thumped into the corner by Kash, who now heads the scorers list with 3. Chris, Andrew, Aaron and I did our best to help Howie out in the middle, but the impressive work came from the vets at the back, well backed up by Clive in goal. Southgate's fast and gifted young attackers always found another stick in the way and their long periods of threat in our D produced few clear chances.

They leveled from a short corner before half time, but after the break we played some excellent and confident hockey, keeping possession and running well off the ball, though rarely testing their keeper. Sadly we tired quicker than they did, but it felt harsh to lose it to a good solo effort with five minutes to go.

Howie gets MotM, but his poise and confidence helped to raise everyone's game this week. If we can keep level with the league leaders for 60 minutes, not just in the scoreline but the run of play, we can give anyone a game.