Ladies Middlesex League 16.1.2010
AHC Ladies 2nd XI 0 v INDIAN GYMKHANA 1st XI 2

In their first game for six weeks, Ashford 2nd XI faced a tough match against top of the table team Indian Gymkhana 1st XI on Saturday. Although Ashford were without regular star defender WENDY BAKER and the still injured striker MARIA CARVILLA, they were otherwise at full strength. The game was started slowly by both teams in very wet conditions, but neither showed too many signs of rustiness despite the long break from League action. The visitors applied the earlier pressure though and constructed some good moves, but the Ashford defence soaked up their attacks well. The Red & Blacks then started to combine well with youngster BRYONY SMITH, SAM CLAREY and CARINA GROVES prominent amongst many. Both teams gained short corners, but skipper LIV WASHER marshaled her defence well to contain the visitor’s attacks, whilst GILLIAN CLEGG and LYNNE MORGAN went close for the Red & Blacks. As half time beckoned, the visitors really started to dominate the game and opened the scoring with a well worked goal.

The second half followed a similar pattern and although Ashford tried to play a more attacking format, they didn’t penetrate the visitors defence on many occasions. Thus it was Indian Gymkhana who dominated play and they had several open chances which they didn’t convert. As Ashford tired and the weather deteriorated further, the visitors got a second and some what fortuitous second goal near the end of the game to secure a deserved victory. However, Ashford can take plenty of positives from their performance and will hope to improve further and hopefully get back to winning ways next week.

Team: O Washer GK (Captain), A. Saunders, K. Hull, T. Holland, B. Smith, S. Appleton, E. Sibia, L. Morgan, S. Clarey, V. Newman, C. Groves, G. Clegg.

AHC Ladies 3rd XI 0 v OLD UXONIANS 1st XI 0

This top of the table battle lived up to its reputation as both sides gave their all from the start. Unfortunately, the Red & Blacks were without top scorer and Vice Captain KIM DOWNS, which almost proved to be a major factor as Ashford were unable to convert any of the many chances they had to score in the first half in particular. Credit must also go to the Old Uxonians goalkeeper though, who from the start of the game remained resolute to the many Ashford attacks. Likewise the Red & Blacks keeper CHARLIE POULTER also played well, despite being accidentally kneed in the face in the first half. She was ably assisted by strong Kiwi defender HOLY BUSBY, a rejuvenated JULES STEER and skill full veteran DOREEN BROWN adding a touch of class to the proceedings. The visitors also had some classy players and the second half saw the game swinging from one goalmouth to the other as both teams tried to secure three points. It was not to be though and an exciting game finished goal less, and Ashford remain in second place, still one point behind the visitors, and three ahead of the PHC Chiswick team in third place.

Team: C. Poulter (GK), G. Sutch, H. Busby, D. Brown, S. Westlake, P. Shoebridge, E. Brown, N. Croxon, J. Steer, A. Cowell, H. Stokes (Captain), B. Hewes