Ladies League Hockey 14/11/09

Middlesex Premier
ASHFORD 1st XI 2 v EASTCOTE 2nd XI 3
On a stormy day off the pitch, Ashford Ladies first team had a few storms on it to weather as well in their home game on Saturday, against second in the League side Eastcote Ladies 2nd XI. After their poor performance the week before everyone was hoping for better this week, and several enforced changes had to be made to the team due to the absence of regulars LOU DOUGLAS, JACQUI BASHFORD, ANNIE NEYTON and the still injured NICKY BENEDICT. In addition, due to poor availability of players throughout the Ladies sides, coach MANDY WAIN could only field a squad of eleven players. Experienced, long time second team striker MARIA CAVILLA was therefore called up for her second first team game of the season and semi-retired, skill full midfielder SARAH SYMES cajoled into playing another game.

Although the game started with the visitors putting on the pressure and showing why they are second in the League, the all round play and spirit of the Red & Blacks shone through and they matched their opponent’s level of endeavour. Ashford were combining well and working for each other once again and although Eastcote scored first, Ashford rallied with an equaliser midway through the first half from hot shot striker SHARON McGLINLEY. A good ball from PHIL WORSFOLD, followed by an ace through ball from SARAH SYMES on the left, was deflected in by the ever alert McGLINLEY. Further attempts on the Eastcote goal followed, with MARIA CAVILLA working particularly hard up front, supplemented well with speedy right flank play of the whippet like youngster KELLY TAYLOR. It wasn’t only the strikers that were performing at their best though as SARAH SYMES prompted things well from the midfield, whilst SOPHIE SMART, EMMA HYNES and Skipper PHIL WORSFOLD were as reliable as ever at the back. Their efforts ensured that the score remained at a very creditable 1-1 at half time.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first and midway through it the Red & Blacks went ahead as youngster LUCY UTTLEY nudged the ball home from close in. SARAH SYMES was again involved and MARIA CAVILLA was also on hand to make sure the ball went over the goal line. A rather disputed equaliser was then scored by Eastcote, when several fouls on an Ashford player outside the D were allowed by the visiting umpire and Eastcote slotted the ball home from the attack to make the score 2-2. Worse was to follow as in literally the last minute of the game Eastcote got a winner from a breakaway. Ashford were all, not surprisingly, very despondent at the change of events, but they should also be very pleased with their much improved all round performance.

Next Saturday Ashford have another early morning game in North London, this time they have to travel to Hendon to play their 1st XI, who are two places below them in the League. It will be a tough game, but if the red & Blacks can play with the same conviction and finesse as they did in this match, then they should secure at least some more League points and hopefully another win.

Team: S. Grant (GK), E. Hynes, S. Smart, S. Symes, P. Worsfold (Skipper), A. Protheroe, E. Sibia, K.Taylor, M. Cavilla, S. McGlinley, L. Uttley