Ladies League Hockey 12/12/09

Middlesex Division 4

WEST HAMPSTEAD 6th XI 0 v ASHFORD 3rd XI 3
Ashford 3rd team, who are currently placed second in Division 4, were the only Ashford Ladies team to play on Saturday and they were accompanied by 1st team and Ladies fitness coach MANDY WAIN. The team had to travel to Brent Cross to face second from the bottom of the League side West Hampstead 6th with a squad of only eleven players. Encouraged by a constructive warm up and pre-match pep talk by coach MANDY WAIN, the Red & Blacks played some constructive and impressive hockey in the opening part of the game. Hard running Ashford Midfielder POLLY SHOEBRIDGE, nearly opened the scoring
when she made a penetrating run into the West Hampstead goal mouth, but was unable to get a strong shot on goal. Further pressure from the Red & Blacks resulted in them gaining several short corners, but talented Kiwi sweeper HOLLY BUSBY was unable to convert any despite her strong controlled hitting. Half way through the half, Ashford again went close when speedy wide striker KIM DOWNS did another good run and cross, which the hard working veteran winger just failed to reach and divert into the net. Shortly after another reliable veteran, defender DOREEN BROWN did one of her trade mark, silky long passes to winger WESTLAKE who crossed for the ebullient KIM DOWNS to convert and put the Red & Blacks deservedly 1-0 ahead. Unfortunately Ashford were unable to build on the lead, despite playing some good hockey and everyone playing well, and the last ten minutes of the half saw them put under a lot of pressure by the home team. However, the Red & Blacks keeper CHARLIE POULTER dealt with their shots well and helped to keep the score at 1-0 to Ashford at the interval.

The half time break and a change of formation by West Hampstead appeared to upset Ashford and for the third quarter of the game they struggled to find their true rhythm again, as their team work broke down. Once again the defence stood strong though and eventually the Red & Blacks mounted some attacks and obtained another couple of short corners. Following one parried shot from HOLLY BUSBY a melee in the goalmouth formed with saved shots from close in by KIM DOWNS and SUE WESTLAKE eventually saw HOLLY BUSBY slotting the ball into the net to put the Red & Blacks 2-0 up. The second goal gave Ashford their confidence back and they started to dominate the game again with the whole team playing and combining well. A third goal followed shortly after when speedy KIM DOWNS got her second of the day when she neatly slotted the ball home by the far post to secure the three points for the Red & Blacks. The result puts the 3rd team one point behind the Division leaders and five points clear of the third placed team as they head into the three week Christmas break.

Team: C Poulter (GK), H. Busby, D. Brown, J. English, K. Boxell, G. Sutch, P Shoebridge, H. Stokes (Skipper), K. Downs, S. Westlake, B. Hewes