Ladies League Hockey 5/12/09

Middlesex Premier

TEDDINGTON 3rd XI 3 v ASHFORD 1st XI 1

Ashford travelled to Teddington on Saturday to face the team two places above them in the League, Teddington 3rd XI. Once again the first team squad were without the long term injured pair of NICKY BENEDICT & ANNIE NEYTON, and although midfielder regular JACQUI BASHFORD was also unavailable, young starlets LUCY UTTLEY and KELLY TAYLOR returned to the team. As a couple of regular players were unavailable for the 2nd XI, coach MANDY WAIN decided to take only eleven players, retaining young, versatile defender BRYONY SMITH for her second 1st XI game and striker MARIA CAVILLA up front. Although the Ashford team structure of four across the midfield remained the same as normal, several players moved positions to cover for the missing regular midfielders, the main ones being ANNA PROTHEROE moving to right back, SHARON McGLINLEY to left midfield and KELLY TAYLOR to the top of the midfield diamond. The new set up worked well for Ashford who started the game strongly, matching Teddington in all departments. As the game flowed from one end to the other, it was the Red and Blacks who struck first. A lovely one two sequence of moves involving the Ashford strikers MARIA CAVILLA and LUCY UTTLEY, saw the ball exchanged between the two of them from the half way line into the opponents goalmouth were LUCY UTTLEY hit it into the net to put Ashford 1-0 ahead. Despite Ashford’s continued good play, Teddington managed to notch an equaliser with a well taken strike from a short corner to make the score 1-1 at which it remained until half time.

After the interval the young Teddington squad turned on the pressure and created numerous chances. Ashford remained resolute though, with EMMA HYNES in particular playing well, although the whole team were continuing to move the ball around well and display some good, solid hockey. In addition, young defender ELINE SIBIA cleared the ball off the line in one instance to save a certain goal. The continual attacks of the home team and lack of substitutes for the Ashford squad saw them not unexpectedly tire a little as the second half wore on. However, it took two excellent strikes from short corners for Teddington to take the lead 2-1, and then secure the win with a third goal from another cracking short corner shot. After the game, coach MANDY WAIN and the Ashford team were not downhearted by their defeat though as they had given their all in what was a very good and enjoyable game. Youngster KELLY TAYLOR and stalwart sweeper EMMA HYNES were voted joint players of the match for the Red & Blacks.

The Ladies first team has now finished their matches for 2009 and although their Middlesex League games don’t recommence until mid January, they are hoping to play a friendly game against Woking 1A’s team in early January. On current form they will be hoping to gain some more League points early in 2010 to help move them up to a middle of the table position by early February.

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