Once again Ashford were unable to field their full side due to unavailability and so they had to draft in several new players. Third eleven goalkeeper ALISON BOXELL and second eleven striker HELEN SIWEK were called up to make their first eleven debuts, whilst last week’s debutant EMMA HYNES continued at left back. Ashford were also very pleased to welcome back first team regular, skilful midfielder SAM KENDALL after a long injury lay off. The Red & Blacks were under pressure from the start and the young Teddington side played aggressively from the push back, and they opened the scoring from a good team move after only three minutes. Ashford tried to regroup and the midfield prompted a few attacks, but none led to any real goal chances and after a further ten minutes of play Teddington scored a second goal from field play. A series of penalty corners for Teddington followed and when one was illegally stopped on the goal line by Ashford, the visitors were awarded a penalty stroke, which was duly converted to make the score 3-0. Yet another penalty corner for Teddington followed shortly after and this time the straight strike resulted in another goal. Despite the four goal deficit, the Red & Blacks kept trying to play and defender DANI BROUGH got through some sterling work at the back and midfielders NICKY DALY, JACKIE PARSONS and ANNIE NEYTON strived hard to make inroads into the visitors defence. However, Teddington managed to notch another short corner on the stroke of half time to put the game beyond Ashford’s reach and the score at 5-0 to Teddington.
The second half saw Ashford under almost relentless pressure as Teddington added another three goals, all scored by LEANNE RYAN from penalty corners after only ten minutes of play. They then added another two goals from short corners in the following ten minutes of play to make the score 10-0 to Teddington. Ashford played on gamely, but failed to penetrate the solid Teddington defence. The defeat was the heaviest in many a year for Ashford, who all tried hard but were outclassed by a younger, fitter and more skilful side. Next Saturday Ashford have a rest from the trials of League hockey and have a friendly game at home to Spencer, and coach BOB THORNALLEY will be hoping that she has a full complement of players to choose from for once.
Team:
A Boxell (GK), E Hynes, S Kendall, D Brough, L Douglas, H Hull, N Daly, C Brant, T Holland, A Neyton, J Parsons (Captain), H Siwek.
