A THIRD consecutive win in the Midland League Premier Division away at Sphinx has pushed Highgate up to sixth in the table.
A thoroughly competent and professional display saw Gate defeat Sphinx 2-0 thanks to second half goals from James Cosgrave and Declan Attenborrow.
The first serious threat came at the Sphinx end early on and goalkeeper Jack Hartopp did well to turn aside Connor Mooney’s wickedly curling shot with Attenborrow stretching but unable to convert the follow up.
Gate had started well, patiently building play up from the back and doing all the early pressing.
Catlow’s first action was to take the sting out of Mitchell Thomson’s drive with the ball bouncing across the face of goal before neat interplay between Cosgrave and Dale Taylor saw the keeper misjudge Trevor Edwards’ cross but he was saved from embarrassment when the ball drifted inches beyond the right-hand post.
The keeper immediately made amends by blocking Murphy’s close range effort on the line, while Catlow did equally well at the other end by keeping out Thomson’s attempt before making an excellent double save to deny both Lewis Rankin and Thomson again.
Shortly before half time King despatched a header against the post off Mooney’s 40th minute corner and immediately after the break Attenborrow hit a second Mooney corner narrowly behind.
At the other end Kieran Nisbett was too close for comfort with a drive despatched inches wide but by the 55th minute Gate had taken a firm hold on the game.
The breakthrough came on the hour mark after Cosgrave’s volley had been deflected behind for a corner and Murphy rose highest to head Mooney’s in-swinging corner into the back of the net.
The goal was no more than the visitors deserved and with Gate in charge and looking comfortable, the second goal came in 78th minute.
King’s through ball set up Attenborrow for a powerful finish which fired in off the inside of Hartopp’s left-hand post.
Content to sit on their lead Gate created just one more opportunity when Attenborrow dragged a late shot marginally off target but the two goals were to suffice to secure another three points for Gate.
