Ladies League Hockey 3/10/09
Middlesex Premier
ASHFORD 1st XI 1 v WINCHMORE HILL & ENFIELD 1st XI 2
For their opening game of the 2009/10 season Ashford Ladies 1st XI were at home to long time north London rivals Winchmore Hill & Enfield 1st XI. Ashford were able to welcome back LOUISE DOUGLAS to their squad after her three years away at University. However, due to the loss of stalwart 1st XI player and long time sweeper JACKIE PARSONS, along with sharp shooter LIV YOUNG, Ashford coach MANDY WAIN had to alter her team and several players positions. The squad had been training together for several weeks now though and had played one friendly game to get used to not only their new positions and players, but also the new hockey rules. The late withdrawal due to illness of young defender ELINE SIBIA meant that MANDY had to further readjust the defence just before the game.

The Red & Blacks started the game quite sprightly with midfielder NICKY BENEDICT going on an exciting run on goal. This was followed up by a good break setting up speedy youngster LUCY UTTLEY, who skillfully dribbled into the circle, but was unable to get round the visitors goalkeeper. Several more Ashford attacks were contained by a solid Winchmore Hill & Enfield defence, who were settling in well after a slightly slow start and they created several attacks of their own. Ashford defenders LOU DOUGLAS and new skipper PHIL WORSFOLD amongst others had to put in some timely tackles to prevent the visitors scoring. As the half moved on the visitors gained several short corners, but the nimble Ashford keeper SAM GRANT brought off some good saves to keep them at bay. Good runs by wide midfielder KELLY TAYLOR, midfielder NICKY BENEDICT and Striker LUCY UTTLEY were the response from Ashford before half time, but the Red & Blacks were not able to finish their moves off with a goal and the team generally were struggling to find a true rhythm and sharpness to their play. Their troubles were further heightened when shortly before the interval, the ever reliable defender EMMA HYNES got a nasty blow to her ankle and had to go off for treatment.

The second half saw Winchmore Hill & Enfield taking the initiative and somewhat dominating the play and Ashford were lucky to keep the score at 0-0 when the visitors failed to convert an excellent chance in the thirteenth minute of the half. Their continued pressure told not long after though when despite a good save from another visitors short corner by Red & Blacks goalkeeper SAM GRANT and a stop on the line by PHIL WORSFOLD, the visitors got the ball home to take a 1-0 lead. The goal seemed to spur Ashford into action and they attacked well for a short while and gained a short corner which youngster LUCY UTTLEY converted to make the scores level. However, Ashford were unable to maintain their momentum and ten minutes from the end of the game Winchmore Hill & Enfield got the winner following some confusion in the Ashford defence. The last part ten minutes of play saw Ashford battling to keep the score at 2-1 and to find the fluent team work they had previously had. The squad worked hard though and defender EMMA HYNES bravely battled on during the second half despite her injury and helped to keep the score at 2-1. Next week the Red & Blacks are at home again this time to West Hampstead 2nd XI and the team will be hoping to collect their first League points of the season.

Team: S. Grant (GK), E Hynes, S.Smart, J.Bashford, P.Worsfold (Skipper), L. Douglas, A. Protheroe, S. McGlinley, K.Taylor, N. Benedict, L.Uttley, A.Neyton