Southgate climbed to second in the Men’s Hockey League Conference East after a comfortable 3-1 win over Cambridge City on Saturday.

Goals from Timmy Smyth and Matt Allister had Southgate in control before Brennan Alexander Parker halved the deficit, but Rob Schilling’s second-half goal restored the two-goal cushion.

Southgate made a fast start to the game and were a goal to the good inside three minutes when Alex Williams drove into the circle along the left base line and cut it back for Smyth to slot in.

Eight minutes later the hosts doubled their advantage when Thaddeus Rivett’s cross found the unmarked Allister to tap in.

Cambridge got back into it before the break when Parker volleyed home at the back post, but Schilling converted with a looping shot after the break to seal the score at 3-1.

Southgate can close the gap on leaders Old Georgians this Sunday when they travel to Richmond.