It seems like an age since the under 14 girls played at Lee Valley but this weekend the girls were back on the stadium pitch, full of summer memories watching Eurohockey. Luckily the rain stayed away as Crostyx played hosts to Southgate.

The squad for the girls second game in the top flight England Hockey League were Anika Mayor (GK), Eve Boswell, Demi Evarschi, Clemency Day Fawcett, Jasmine Wadsworth, Siena Crossley, Klara Pert, Isabella Zurawska, Helene Standring, Clara Johnson, Imogen Murphy, Phoebe Petyt, Ruby James VC) and Lucy Leel (C).

Straight from the pushback Crostyx were pinned back into their half. Impressive pinpoint passing, interceptions and strength on the ball from Southgate allowed the visitors to take the initiative over the hosts. From a first goal two minutes in, by 20 minutes Southgate were deservedly 3-0 up.

The purple girls were struggling to get into the game, when out of nothing, Leel played an aerial over the Southgate defence to find a full pace Everaschi, stick outstretched, who nursed the ball to ground and put Crostyx on the score sheet with a perfect finish. Hope lifted for a comeback but an imperious Southgate put another two away to close the half at 5-1.

Coach Neil Colton must have had magic words during the break as a different team turned up for the second half. With the scoreline out of reach the game became about reputation. Strong runs emerged down the wings from the Styx girls but Southgate blocked every attack. In response Southgate attacks were heavily defended with a Styx D containing every purple shirt when needed.

The closing phase of the game saw Southgate score another three goals in response to two end to end goals from Leel for Crostyx.

Final score : 8 -3 to Southgate