For their last South League game before Christmas, Ashford had to make the lengthy journey to Newbury without player coach BOB THORNALLEY. This coupled with a slow start and a superbly controlled high, reverse flick shot that opened the scoring for the home team after only three minutes of play, rocked Ashford badly. They had hardly penetrated the visitors half before a second skill full flick goal was added by Newbury four minutes later from a short corner. The two goal deficit wasn’t the only problem the Red & Blacks faced as from the start of the game, they playing towards the low lying sun, which made it very difficult for them to distinguish between their own and Newbury & Thatcham’s playing kit, despite Ashford having changed to their alternate black strip. Therefore shortly after the second goal, Ashford had to don some training bibs and play in the unfamiliar colour of orange. As Ashford tried to find some rhythm, a couple of very fine saves by young keeper LEANNE SERGEANT, encouraged the team and prompted some solid play by fellow defenders including youngster LOUISE DOUGLAS and stalwarts CLAIR BRANT and JACKIE PARSONS. Despite the slight improvement, Ashford’s passing and marking was still poor and after twenty two minutes of play the home team added another goal from close range to make the score three to the home team at half time.
Ashford came out for the second half determined to do better. Some good midfield play by SUNNAY POTTAY and several skilful and determined runs by KATIE GREEN helped them penetrate the home teams defence on several occasions. However, despite the overall team improvement, the Red & Blacks were not able to create many clear cut goal scoring chances and the home side continued to mount the occasional dangerous attack. Further acrobatic saves by LEANNE SERGEANT and more determined play by LOUISE DOUGLAS, along with a nifty goal line clearance by CLAIR BRANT managed to keep the score at 3-0 until midway through the second half. After twenty minutes of play though, a flowing move by the home team saw them catch many of the Ashford defenders up field, and they added a neat fourth goal. This was followed swiftly by a fifth from a short corner to make the score 5-0 and put the game well beyond Ashford’s grasp. Ashford battled on and JACKIE PARSONS made several ventures up the pitch to help the midfield and forwards in their attempts to notch at least one goal. Their efforts were thwarted though and the home team added a sixth goal shortly before the end of the game to inflict a heavy defeat on a battle weary Ashford. The game was a disappointing one for Ashford, who had been playing a lot better in recent weeks. The Red & Blacks do not return to League action until 20th January, but they have a couple of friendly games over the Christmas break, which coach HELEN THORNALLEY will be using to try and regain the recent improved form and team work.
Team:
L Sergeant (GK), D Brough, L Douglas, K Greene, S Kenward, J Parsons (Captain), C Brant, T Holland, J Smith, S Pottay, E Ashford–Hodges, O Young.
