After a disappointing result away from home last week, the M1s were looking to bounce back against Southgate. Another Saturday night fixture under the lights at Luxborough Lane, and the wind and rain did little to deter the supporters, who were out in full force.

Much like their last home game, the boys were fast out of the blocks, winning an early corner. Harvey Edwards hammered the ball home off the post, leaving the goalkeeper and postman with no chance – 1–0 to the good lads!

In the 22nd minute, Tom Watson showed his striker’s instinct and buried a first-time backspace shot after the ball fell into a crowded area to give the boys some breathing room.

Southgate won several corners in the second quarter, but Dom Dixon and his corner-defence unit held strong, and the half-time whistle blew with Loughts 2–0 to the good.

The second half was more of the same, with Loughts continuing to threaten the Southgate goal and giving the opposition supporters little to cheer about.

Winter popped up at the back post in the 43rd minute to score a crucial goal and all but put the game to bed, wheeling away towards the bench with his arm aloft, Shearer-style.

Despite this, Loughts kept coming, thriving off the vocal support of the M2s, who were now suitably well-oiled following their earlier thumping victory.

Loughts showed they had multiple strings to their penalty-corner bow when Mark Loughrey also slotted home a drag flick in the 53rd minute. Some say he deliberately deceived the defence with a slower ball…

With only a minute to go, Loughts were on the charge again. Much like the Guildford game, several players saw this as a golden opportunity to get themselves on the scoresheet.

After Hartley-Shah played a threatening ball across the face of goal, Watson’s deflection was well saved by the Southgate goalkeeper. However, the ball fell kindly to a purple shirt on the penalty spot, and Max Sydenham was more than happy to smash a backhand into an empty net.

5–0 was the full-time score, as another emphatic home victory leaves the team sitting fifth after five games.

The M1s have a week off next weekend before returning to Luxborough Lane to face newly promoted but in-form Clifton Robinsons on Sunday 1st November at 1pm.