v Southgate, (Home), 16/09/07.

Lost 0 - 2

A goal in each half was enough for Southgate to inflict defeat upon Canterbury in the final fixture of their pre-season campaign at Polo Farm on Sunday.

On a bright September day, a fair sized crowd gathered to watch the new-look first team for the first time this season.What they witnessed was a side that continue to show promise, but who must make a step up when they take on Hampstead in next week’s opening league fixture.

Canterbury owned the majority of chances of the game, but in the most clear cut of these opportunities they were profligate with their finishing. Although this will be a concern for the Kent side, equally disconcerting will be the inability shown to upgrade much of the possession that was enjoyed in and around their oppositions ‘D’.

Both sides looked comfortable in possession throughout the game and were able to control its tempo for significant periods.Even when Southgate fully pressed and attempted to rush the Canterbury defence immediately after half time the home side did not appear under pressure.

The visitors took the lead midway through the first half, converting a penalty corner. Although the shot was well flicked Ben Cowling in the Canterbury goal may have felt disappointed that he wasn’t able to deflect the shot wide.

An equaliser always seemed likely, but chances continued to go begging.As a result, when an untidy scramble at the near post saw the ball squirm past Cowling’s pads, it seemed that the home side had now left themselves too much to do to square the game and this proved to be the case.

The defeat leaves Canterbury’s feet on the ground and offers a reminder of the application required to succeed in the league this year.After an upbeat pre-season this result should not detract from the strides that have been made by the young squad. It should however serve as a reminder that the side will have to perform consistently well to ensure positive results during the year.

Squad: Barratt, Bassano-Harper, Cowling, Davey, Dunn, Duvall, Goodman, Hare B, Hare S, Harper, Hayward, Keir, Pedersen, Pryce C, Richford, Warington, Wild.