Ladies League Hockey 27/2/10

Middlesex Premier

WINCHMORE HILL & ENFIELD 1st XI 4 v ASHFORD 1st XI 3

Although Ashford Ladies 1st XI were still without Skipper PHIL WORSFOLD , they did at least have a squad of twelve players for their tough midday way game at Enfield on Saturday. The long, traffic ridden journey did not seem to affect the squad as they soon got into their stride from the push back and took the game to the opposition. Encouraged by their good start, the Red & Blacks opened the scoring within the first five minutes, when the speedy LUCY UTTLEY picked up a neat pass from MARIA CAVILLA on the half way line. LUCY sped past the two Winchmore Hill & Enfield defenders in her way and calmly, and yet skillfully and quickly, rounded the home team goalkeeper to slot the ball home and put Ashford one up. It was a gem of a goal and worth the journey alone. Not surprisingly the home team tried to swiftly hit back and the Red & Blacks defence got caught rather flat footed when a strike from the right was slotted in by an unmarked player by the left post, to make the scores even at 1-1 with less than ten minutes of the game played. Ashford were then put under more pressure by the home team, but the Red & Blacks continued to play for each other with acting skipper EMMA HYNES and youngster ELINE SIBIA standing tall, as they contained the opposition well. However, Winchmore then managed to get a second goal which was almost a carbon copy of the first and left questions being asked of the Red & Blacks defence. Further pressure saw some good saves by the Ashford keeper SAM GRANT, and again some nice team work by the Red & Blacks to keep the score at 2-1 until the half time break.

Unfortunately as soon as played resumed for the second half Winchmore got a third goal with another good cross from the wing being slotted home by a free forward. The Red & Blacks rallied though and good work by KELLY TAYLOR down the right saw JACQUI BASHFORD swiftly push the ball to LUCY UTTLEY whose shot went very close to scoring. Likewise another good run by KELLY saw SHARON McGLINLEY going close, only for LUCY UTTLEY to skim the post with another solo effort. Ashford also had several short corners but weren’t able to find the final touch needed, and much against the run of play Winchmore broke away and got a fourth goal to be 4-1 up. The Red & Blacks rallied yet again and got their second goal of the game when SHARON McGLINLEY prodded the ball in at the far post. Ashford then got a third when one of their short corner routines worked and ANNA PROTHEROE jabbed the ball in after interjecting the corner on the left to make the score 4-3 to the home team. Continued pressure by Ashford in the dying minutes of the game failed to see them get their much wanted and deserved equaliser and made the final score in a fast and furious game 4-3 to Winchmore Hill & Enfield. Thus the Red & Blacks failed to get any league points to help with their fight against relegation, but they did play some great hockey.

Next week Ashford have another tough game at home at midday to Hendon 1st XI who are two places above them in the League. However, if the Red & Blacks can continue to play the hockey as they did on Saturday and keep scoring the goals, the results will surely come.

Team: S. Grant (GK), E. Hynes (Skipper), S. Smart, A. Protheroe, S. Appleton, M. Cavilla, J. Bashford, B. Smith, L.Uttley, E. Sibia, S McGlinley. K. Taylor