Ladies League Hockey 13/3/10
Middlesex Premier
HAMPSTEAD & WESTMINSTER 3RD XI 4 v ASHFORD 1st XI 0
Ashford Ladies first team had an early morning start for their tough 10.30am game away at Paddington on Saturday. The team were able to welcome back regular goalkeeper SAM GRANT and midfield dynamos JACQUI BASHFORD and ANNA PROTHEROE, but were without diamond sweeper EMMA HYNES, key striker LUCY UTTLEY as well as several regular players due to the long injury list. Coach MANDY WAIN therefore retained veteran striker GILLIAN CLEGG for another game and gave a first team debut to versatile and ever improving second team player WENDY BAKER, but once again was reduced to only being able to field a squad of eleven players. To add to Ashford’s woes, when they got to the ground they found that rather than playing on the water based astro turf pitch, they had been allocated the rubberised, multi-purpose, artificial pitch, which is very popular with footballers, but not many hockey players. There was no hiding place for the Red & Blacks though as the home team started much the stronger and dominated play in the opening quarter. However, Ashford were somewhat unlucky to concede a penalty flick when the ball hit ANNA PROTHEROE’S foot after she had fallen over in the circle. The home side duly converted the penalty to take a 1-0 lead fairly early on. The Red & Blacks were not down hearted though, and despite the difficulties with the pitch and a much changed team format, they rallied to take the game to the opposition; and although Hampstead & Westminster got a good second goal from a short corner strike, Ashford were not playing badly and were giving a creditable performance. Despite their efforts though, the Red & Blacks found themselves 2-0 down at half time.
The second half followed a similar a pattern to the first, with newly converted sweeper SOPHIE SMART being Ashford’s star performer. Debutant WENDY BAKER was also settling in well and her never say die attitude and selfless running and play, were encouraging. Once again Ashford were playing well and secured several short corners, but against a very solid, experienced and confident defence, the forwards struggled to find a way through. The home team went further ahead midway through the second half when one of their skill full forwards scored a screamer of a goal from the top of the circle. They added a fourth before the end of the game to make the final score a deserved 4-0 victory to the third placed team. The Red & Blacks had once again fought hard with a limited squad, and under difficult and unfamiliar playing conditions against a strong team, who were used to the playing surface, and had some very good players.
Next Saturday Ashford play their last game of the season and are at home to Teddington 3rd team who are two places above them in the League. The Ashford squad will be hoping to put on a good performance and secure all three points as a thank you to retiring coach MANDY WAIN, and of course also to finish the season on a high.
Team: S. Grant (GK), S. Smart (Skipper), S. Appleton, M. Cavilla, A Protheroe, J. Bashford, W. Baker, E. Sibia, S McGlinley. K. Taylor, G. Clegg
