Ashford Scorers:
Sunny Pottay
Ashford Ladies 1st team were still short of three of their regular players from the squad for their home game against fellow Division 3A strugglers Henley on Saturday, and once again coach ‘BOB’ THORNALLEY was called upon to play to help shore up the defence. In the opening part of the first half, Ashford contained the visitors well. However, after ten minutes of play, Henley executed a good short corner routine which resulted in a well controlled slightly elevated strike, from the edge of the circle rocketing by the left hand post of the Ashford goal to put the visitors 1-0 up.
Ashford did not get disheartened though and continued to play well, with goal keeper LEANNE SERGEANT and defenders DANI BROUGH, EMMA HYNES and coach THORNALLEY playing well across the back and the ever consistent and hard working NICKY DALY, being ably assisted by TRACEY HOLLAND in midfield. After twenty or so minutes of play Ashford left midfielder player STACEY KENWARD was involved in a collision with a Henley player which involved a clash of heads that resulted in a head injury to STACEY who had to leave the pitch and unfortunately she was unable to take any further part in the game. The Red & Blacks reorganised and long time defender HILARY HULL came on as substitute and was pressed into action up front. Not long after, Ashford managed to equalise when NICKY DALY took a good free hit outside the circle which HILARY HULL deflected goal wards and SUNNY POTTAY was on hand to scramble the ball over the Henley goal line. Whilst it wasn’t the most stylish of goals, it was Ashford’s, and thus SUNNY’s, first of the season. The score remained at 1—1 until the interval.
The second half continued in a similar vein to the first, with both sides pressing for an equaliser. Unfortunately Ashford were missing some of their heavy artillery up front and were not able to make much headway against the Henley goalkeeper and defence. Despite their frustration, the Red & Blacks kept going, but came unstuck when Henley managed to hit the winning goal shortly before the end of the game. Thus yet again as happened last season, Henley managed to snatch a late victory over Ashford. Despite their disappointment in defeat, Ashford had played much better than of late and next Saturday, they have to travel to Paddington to play Hampstead & Westminster 2nd XI, who are just above them in the League. Coach HELEN THORNALLEY and the squad are therefore keen to continue their much improved form and they are optimistic of securing their first win of the season.
Team:
L Sergeant (GK), E Hynes, D Brough, H Thornalley, H Hull, N Daly, S Kenward, C Brant, T Holland, J Smith (Captain), S Pottay, L Samouel.
