Ashford Scorers:
Bex Griffiths
Due to a leaving party for one of the 1st XI regulars and a hen party for one of the 2nd XI, Ashford had to make a lot of changes to their squad for the home game on Saturday against fellow strugglers Hampstead & Westminster 2nd XI. HANNAH GIBBS and MARIA CAVILLA were introduced to the squad to make their South League debuts and LISA CUNNINGHAM was called up for only her second game of the season. Moreover, first team regulars KATIE GREENE and ANNIE NEYTON were both making a welcome return to the Ashford midfield. In sunny conditions, it was the visitors who started the game better, but despite gaining several short corners in the opening exchanges, they did not capitalise on any of them. As the game progressed neither side could find their rhythm and the hockey remained goal less and rather messy. In the second quarter of the game, it was the visitors who continued to get most of the attacking moves in though. It was therefore just as well for the Red & Blacks that goalkeeper LIV SUTTON, and ever reliable defenders DANI BROUGH and ANNA PROTHORE and EMMA HYNES remained firm under the pressure. Slowly towards the end of the half, the direct running and silky stick work skills of Ashford midfielders KATIE GREENE and ANNIE NEYTON, started to create a few chances for the home side, but the score remained at a stalemate 0-0 at half time.
In the second half Ashford continued to try hard, but despite their efforts it was the visitors who opened the scoring when they fired from a short corner after four minutes of play. The Red & Blacks didn’t let their spirits drop though and after 10 minutes of the half, evergreen midfielder ANNIE NEYTON hit an excellent, defence splitting cross from wide on the left, right across the visitor’s goalmouth. Ashford veteran striker BEX GRIFFITHS was on hand on the far post, to meet the ball and direct home for the equalised from close in. The goal encouraged Ashford and they did secure a couple of short corners, and although they moved the ball around well, they were unable to get any goal threatening shots in. It was the visitors who then pressed hard in the last quarter of the game to try to notch the winning goal, but Ashford coach BOB THORNALLEY utilised her substitutes well as both teams tired. In addition, the Ashford player of the match, the ever improving goalkeeper LIV SUTTON, played stoutly throughout and thwarted many of the visitor’s shots with some reliable kicking and nimble saves. The score therefore remained at 1-1 until the final whistle and Ashford celebrated deservedly earning their first League point of the season.
Next Saturday Ashford travel to Banbury for a tough game against the fifth placed team, in what will be their penultimate game of the season and also probably in the South League.
Team:
O Sutton (GK), D Brough, E Hynes, S Kenward, A Protheroe, J Smith (Captain), H Gibbs, M Cavilla, A Neyton, O Young, K Greene, E Ashford-Hodges, B Griffiths, L Cunningham
