In their first friendly match of the season Ashford entertained South Division 3B team Spencer. Ashford again had to field a much depleted side. Youngsters ELLIE ASHFORD-HODGES and OLIVIA YOUNG were brought in to make their 1st team debuts, whilst SUNNAY PATTAY was making her return to the fold after a season’s absence due to injury. The opening exchanges were fairly even, and Ashford secured a short corner early on, but didn’t convert it and the visitors followed it up with a penetrating run that resulted in the opening goal of the game after only six minutes. The Red & Blacks rallied though and had several attacks with Becky Griffiths having a mazy run which nearly resulted in a goal. The visitors then broke up field and confusion amongst the defenders let them in for a second goal after ten minutes of play. Again Ashford put pressure on the visitors defence, prompted well by skipper JACKIE PARSONS, the hard working TRACEY HOLLAND and with some deft touches from debutant girl ELLIE ASHFORD- HODGES. Unfortunately more confusion in the defence then let in another soft goal at the other end, to make the score 3-0 to Spencer. A few minutes later, Ashford skipper JACKIE PARSONS aggravated an old back injury and had to come off the pitch. Shortly after the Red & Blacks gained another short corner, but didn’t convert it, although they were playing a lot better hockey than in the last two weeks. Captain JACKIE PARSONS did try to play again, but soon had to come off and wasn’t able to return for the rest of the game. The visitors then capitalised on a melee in the Ashford goal and forced the ball in from close in to make the score a slightly unjust 4-0 to Spencer at half time.
The second half saw Ashford start incredibly poorly letting in two goals within two minutes of the restart to put the game beyond their reach at 6-0 to Spencer. Despite the score line, the young Ashford keeper LEANNE SERGEANT was playing well and on several occasions she was left stranded and was unable to prevent many of the goals. Five minutes later another defensive lapse and a fine straight strike saw Spencer go 7-0 up. Ashford tried to get more into the game and SUNNY PATTAY, EMMA HYNES and CLAIRE BRANT battled well to try and set up some goals scoring chances and some more forays into the visitors circle, Ashford failed to score or really worry the Spencer keeper. Several very good saves from the Ashford player of the match LEANNE SERGEANT then prevented further Spencer goals, but the visitors added an eight and ninth goal after thirteen and twenty four minutes. Resolute play then kept the score at 9-0 until the last minute of the game when the visitors scored their best goal of the game to inflict a convincing 10-0 defeat on Ashford.
Next Saturday the red & Blacks restart their South League programme and have to travel to play Wycombe Rye. Coach BOB THORNALLEY will be hoping that she has at least a full complement of players to choose from in what is proving to be a very tough season for all the Ashford Ladies teams.
Team:
L Sergeant (GK), E Hynes, D Brough, S Kenward, H Hull, S Pattay, C Brant, T Holland, O Young, J Parsons (Captain), H Siwek, E Ashford – Hodges, B Griffiths.
