In their first home game of the season Ashford entertained north London side Winchmore Hill & Enfield, who before the game were placed a couple of positions higher than the Red & Blacks in the Middlesex Premier League. Ashford first team and Club Coach MANDY WAIN was able to field an unchanged side for the game, but due to illness, the squad was reduced to twelve players only.

In warm, almost summer conditions, the visitors started the game the best, but the well organised Ashford defence soaked up the early pressure and kept them at bay for the first quarter of the game. Ashford then started to build some attacks of their own and the whole team were combining well, and they were not afraid to move the ball around and across the back where needed and the score thus remained at 0-0 until just before half time. However, on the stroke of half time the visitors were awarded a short corner and their resulting strike was unfortunately deflected by an Ashford defender into their own net to make the score 1-0 in favour of the visitors.

Not surprisingly, the visitors started the second half on a high and they went further ahead when they secured a second goal after seven minutes of play. The Red & Blacks battled back well though and continued to show some good team work, and they were duly rewarded when they scored a goal ten minutes from the end of the game. Striker SHARON McGLINLEY’s took a shot at goal which was deflected into the net by a Winchmore defender. The goal lifted Ashford’s spirits and with the score at 2-1, they pressed hard for the equaliser. Numerous attacks were mounted and youngster LIV YOUNG made several penetrating runs on goal, but none of the Ashford attacks were converted into goals and the score remained at 2-1 until the final whistle. Defender EMMA HYNES was voted Player of the Match in a game in which Ashford played well, but came away with no League points for their efforts.

Next week the Red & Blacks travel to Pinner, to play Eastcote Ladies 2nd XI who are currently placed second in the league. It will be a difficult game for Ashford, but if they can continue to combine well as a team and maintain their good defensive play, the results will surely come.

Team
S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, K. Fry, E. Hynes, A. Protheroe, O. Young, T. Holland, J. Parsons, J. Bashford, S McGlinley, L Samouel (Captain), S. Kenward