Due to unavailability Ashford were only able to field seven of their normal first team squad for their second South league of the season, away to local rivals Staines. EMMA HYNES and KIM SHEFFIELD were brought in to make their first eleven debuts; whilst TRACEY HOLLAND retained her place at right back after her debut last week and second team keeper LIV SUTTON was playing her first 1st XI game of the season.
Unfortunately Ashford got off to the worst possible start, when they conceded a soft goal after they were unable to clear a short corner after only three minutes of play. The rEd & Blacks then fought gamely for an equaliser with JACKIE PARSONS and STACEY KENWARD going close after KATIE GREEN and ANNIE NEYTON had combined well down the right flank. Their good work was soon outdone though when Staines scored a second goal once again from a short corner to go 2-0 ahead and fourteen minutes again they added a third from a sharp shot. The Ashford keeper LIV SUTTON then did a good save to keep the score at 3-0, but was unable to save the penalty flick which was awarded against Ashford just before half time. Thus the score was a convincing 4-0 to Staines at half time.
After the interval Ashford battled vainly, but again Staines scored early in the second half from a short corner following poor defending by Ashford. An injury to defender TRACEY HOLLAND then hampered Ashford further and Staines added a sixth goal shortly after. The game then evened out for a long period, with NICKY DALY working tirelessly in midfield, but Ashford were unable to penetrate the Staines defence. Near the end of the game JO PARKINSON cleared a shot off the line, but she was unable to do anything about the seventh and final Staines goal which followed good work down the right flank. The 7-0 defeat was Ashford’s worst defeat in the League and also for many a season. Next Saturday Ashford are at home to high flying Teddington, when hopefully they will be back at full strength.
Team:
O. Sutton (GK), E. Hynes, J. Smith (Captain), S Kenward, K Sheffield, H. Hull, N Daly, K. Green, T. Holland, A Neyton, J Parsons, B Griffiths.
