Our first league game produced a thrilling 15 goal game, which ended 9 – 6 to Southgate, a respectable result against a National League club’s development side

We fielded 7 Under 13s, and faced a team of older youths and younger adults who always had the edge on us for pace, but we caught them cold early on with a couple of early goals, and still led 6 – 5 going into in the final quarter before we ran out of steam.

Our defensive formation struggled to settle against a fast short passing game and man of the match goes to Laurens for a sterling performance in goal. We had fewer opportunities ourselves but took them well.

Billy Marsden put a trademark short corner into the top corner, Santi added two fine poacher’s goals on his league debut, Oliver (also on debut) and Alex struck well from open play and Billy added a penalty after Santi was denied a hat trick by a Southgate defender taking his legs out with an open goal in front of him!

Theo Catt made a brave debut at left back, getting stuck in effectively against bigger and faster opponents, out fourth (and senior) debutant Michael Artis settled in well.

Thanks to Greyson and Billy for moving up to central midfield, and to Mike Scott and Elliot for from the 6s for helping out this week.

All round a very positive experience and let’s do it all again next week!

Geoff