Ladies League Hockey 21/11/09

Middlesex Division Two

ASHFORD 2nd XI 4 v WINCHMORE HILL & ENFIELD 2nd XI 0

As there wasn’t a first team Ladies game and usual second team coach LAURA QUINN was ill, MANDY WAIN stepped in to take charge of the second team in their home game on Saturday against Winchmore Hill & Enfield second team. Apart from the absence of Captain and Goalkeeper LIV WASHER and Vice Captain TRACEY HOLLAND, the squad contained ten regular outfield players and was greatly strengthened by the first appearance of the season of veteran, long time first team sweeper JACKI PARSONS and former first team left midfielder STACEY KENWARD.

Ashford attacked well from the start and secured several short corners and forays on the visitor’s goal in the opening quarter of the game. Good prompting from versatile deputy skipper WENDY BAKER led to several scoring opportunities for the usual reliable striker MARIA CAVILLA, but the visitor’s goalkeeper thwarted MARIA’S early efforts. The Red & Blacks pressure eventually told though when vintage midfielder LYNNE MORGAN slotted home a rebound from a JACKI PARSONS short corner strike. More goals looked a certainty for Ashford but the visitors started to create some attacks of their own and Ashford keeper CHARLIE POULTER was called into action on several occasions before Ashford added a second. Once again MORGAN netted from a PARSONS corner with some persistent play in front of goal to give Ashford a 2-0 lead at half time.

A confidence boosting half time talk from first team coach MANDY WAIN saw the Red & Blacks playing some fluent hockey straight after the break. One particular move started by young right midfielder BRYONY SMITH and involving four team members saw GILLIAN CLEGG scoring Ashford’s neat third goal. Winchmore Hill & Enfield then piled on the pressure and a goal line clearance by full back ALEX SAUNDERS and stout defensive play by SARAH APPLETON kept them at bay. In the last quarter of the game the Red & Blacks added a fourth and MORGAN completed her hat trick when she deftly diverted the ball in from the left. The visitor once again rallied, but Ashford held out for their biggest victory for many a season, which keeps them within three points of the League leaders.

The Ladies first team will be back in action next week when they face the side directly above them in the League Hampstead & Westminster third team. Unfortunately with several players unavailable and injured, coach MANDY WAIN will have to work her magic on the team again to help them to secure another three points.

Team: C. Poulter (GK), A. Saunders, K. Hull, S. Appleton, B. Smith, V. Newman, C. Groves, W. Baker (Captain), L. Morgan, M. Cavilla, G.Clegg, S.Kenward, J. Parsons