Team Ashford were anxiously scanning the skies for a temporal anomaly that might reverse the polarity of this result but unfortunately nothing could save us from the 5-1 drubbing we took at the hands of a more-than-useful Ram Sabha 2nd team. We expected them to be more skilful but they were fitter and had younger legs than anticipated and the first half was very difficult for us but we defended well as a team. Ant Appleyard playing his first game in goal since breaking his wrist had an excellent game, one reaction save to his right was outstanding. We had 2 chances in the half - the first, Coach batted a bouncing ball against the crossbar (never seen him hit it that hard at Cricket) and then we got our only shortie and Amit gave it some helmet to put us one-up. Unfortunately they equalised straightaway and the half ended one-all.
Second half we needed to keep tham at bay for 10 minutes and let their frustration and not-as-fit-as-us-ness get to them - sadly we fell apart a bit and they scored 3 times with a soft fourth not long after.
With the game gone, we kept our heads up and played our best hockey of the game, playing it around and controlling the game without looking incisive. All in a not a bad performance but brings home the fact we are in a league of mainly of 1’s and 2’s teams - still one major result was the ‘tea’ which was our national dish and lots of it….best I’ve had for years!….
Goalscorers
A Bhamra
