Ashford colt’s teams have had a big change around this season with lots of new players in and others moving up age groups to face new challenges.
The mixed U8s were away for their first tournament of the season at Old Kingstonians against 3 of their teams. Their first game against OK’s Yellows resulted in a 2-0 win with Luke Jacob and James Bashford scoring. Their second game against OK’s Greens was an eventful game but ended in a goalless draw. Luke Jacob got 2 further goals in the last game against OK’s Blues winning 2-0 for a well-deserved first hat-trick for the club with great set-up play by skipper Emily Bashford. Lucy Jennings unfortunately had her goal disallowed controversially by the umpire. Ben Bricker and Ethan Smart joined the team for their first tournament of the season and despite only having had a few training sessions did well on their first outing with the club and Jake Meads celebrated his 5th birthday on Saturday by making his debut too although he didn’t enjoy colliding with the umpire! Coaches Gordon Smith and Jacqui Bashford were pleased with how well they played in their first tournament.
Ashford hosted their first girls U10/12 tournament of the season and both teams done Ashford proud by coming runners up.
The U10s kicked off the tournament with a 2-0 win against Old Kingstonians A’s with Captain Caitlin Davis scoring both goals. The second against Old Kingstonians B’s resulted in a 5-0 win and once again Caitlin Davis opened the scoring in the first few minutes followed by 2 goals from Fae Cutler, 1 from Lily Elms and 1 from Jade Ollington. The third game ended in a 2-1 loss against a strong Surbiton A team who went on to win the tournament. Their final game against Surbiton B resulted in a 4-0 win with 2 further goals from Caitlin Davis and Fae Cutler. There was some great defending from Jessica Jacob and the goal keeper Amber Ollington who had never played in goal before. Steph Bottwell, Christina Friend and Sophie Meads joined in some excellent team play and a well deserved runners up place in their first tournament.
The U12s started their tournament with a 1-1 draw against Richmond A team with a fine goal from Chantelle Murphey, who went on to score 2 more in the next game against Richmond B to secure her first hat trick of the season. 1 of her goals came from a penalty corner shot by Captain Lauren Clarey which bounced off the side bar and put away by Chantelle. Their third game was up against Surbiton A which resulted in a 1-0 loss. Each team played each other for the 2nd time and once again Ashford couldn’t get the upper hand against Richmond A but goal keeper Hannah Merchant kept them from scoring alongside players Harriet Prothero, Sophie Simpson, Jagdeep Bal and Louisa Jakubavic resulting in a goalless draw. They went on to win the return game against Richmond B again 3-1 with Beth Jefferies adding her name to the score sheet with 2 goals and Hannah Bashford picking up a fine deflection from a shot on goal by Captain Lauren Clarey just inside the circle. Mid fielders Amy Giffen and Sophie Giffen played well throughout. In the last game they faced Surbiton A who they had lost to in the first round, and were determined to take the upper hand which they did resulting in 1-0 win this time and another fine goal from Hannah Bashford. There was some great team play from all the team.
