Southgate set to strike rich on two fronts

Hockey

Southgate, whose trophy cabinet has been bare for far too long, produced two sparkling displays in League and Cup over the weekend against class opposition - suggesting their barren days are near an end.

On Saturday they defeated Reading 6-3 with a powerful performance from John Shaw to retain their second place in the Premier Division behind Cannock on goal difference. Yesterday they moved into the fifth round of the HA Cup with a 4-3 win against a young East Grinstead side who matched them in everything but finishing.

Cannock, with two goals each from Bobby Crutchley and Ben Sharpe, had beaten Grinstead 4-2 on Saturday to retain top place and yesterday Crutchley scored five in their 6-0 defeat of Blueharts.

High Wycombe, of the Nastro Azzurro South League, sprung the surprise of the Cup when they came from behind at Doncaster with second-half goals by Tim Townley and Simon Byrne to win 2-1 after Robin Benford had given the Yorkshire side the lead on the interval.

All-conquering Slough stayed top of the women's league on goal difference ahead of Ipswich as Mandy Nicholls scored twice in a 3-0 victory away to Balsam Leicester. Nicholls then notched a hat trick in a 10-0 third- round Cup victory against North Staffordshire. Hightown, with Tina Cullen scoring five, were also on song, beating Horsham 10-2.

Scores, Digest, page 19