Wimbledon Hockey Club’s new skipper Ben Hawes was grateful for a first win of the MHL Premier Division season, especially as he was not playing.

After starting the season with back-to-back defeats, goals from Phil Roper, Ali Brogdon and Chris Gregg were enough to bring the points back from Southgate on Saturday in a 3-2 win.

Hawes said: “I was away on business in Germany, so it was a huge relief to see the result.

“Our performances in the first two games were good enough to win, but we’d got to that point where it did not matter how we got the three points, it was just important that we did.

“In the season opener at Hampstead & Westminster [lost 2-1], we should have been away and dry by half-time.

“But the defeat may have been a good thing because we came to realise very quickly that anyone in this league can beat anyone else.

“You can always speak about the pitfalls of playing teams further down the league, you can talk about it as much as you want, but until it has bitten you on the arse you don’t necessarily appreciate it.

“I am hoping that Hampstead was a big lesson.”

He added: “The Beeston defeat [1-3] was a different kettle of fish, they are the champions after all and one of the favourites again.”

In their first ever season in the top flight last term, Wimbledon defied the odds to push for the top four and a European spot after a run of seven games without defeat.

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However, results tailed away at the season’s end leaving Wimbledon sixth in the table.

Hawes said: “Last season’s performance means we have set ourselves a high standard this time round.

“Our target, at a minimum, has to be to match last season, and hopefully the Southgate win will kick us on,” Hawes said.

“We went on a terrific run last season and if we can do that again this time round, we should be challenging for the top four.

“On our day, with the team we have at our disposal, we would fancy our chances to get into the top four. We have the talent, but talent is one thing and delivery is another.”

Wimbledon go to Cannock this weekend.