Goal Scorers:
Anna Prothoroe, Sharon Mc Glinley.

Man of the Match:
Emma Hynes.

Ashford had to make an early start on Saturday for their 10.30am game away to sixth in the league team, Hendon.

Ashford coach MANDY WAIN was able to add regular midfielders KATIE GREENE and TRACEY HOLLAND to last week’s victorious out field squad.

However, an injury to regular goalkeeper SAM GRANT, gave an unexpected opportunity for young starlet keeper SARAH STEDEFORD, who has recently returned to the Club, to make her first team debut. The game started in atrociously wet conditions, but Ashford’s spirits were high and they continued to play their new system backed up with some solid team work. The game was fairly even for the first quarter, with the home team playing some rather dour, fairly physical hockey.

However, after eighteen minutes of play Ashford found a way through the Hendon defence, when they managed to convert a short corner.

ANNA PROTHOROE hit the corner out to fellow youngster LIV YOUNG, who struck a straight strike on goal.

The home team keeper blocked the shot, but the ever alert ANNA put the rebound in the net from a narrow angle on the left.

Ashford weren’t able to build on their lead though, and a lapse at the back by the Red & Blacks let the home team in for an equaliser shortly before half time.

The rain was still falling at the start of the second half, which followed a similar pattern to the first, in that Ashford scored first.

Once again, good team work helped to put SHARON McGLINLEY free on right, back line of the circle, and she cleverly scooped the ball past the Hendon keeper into the far corner of the net. Unfortunately Hendon hit straight back with a good goal of their own, to make the score 2-2.

Ashford continued to work hard as they strived to secure the winning goal, with defenders, and in particular full back and Player of the Match EMMA HYNES and debutant keeper SARAH STEDEFORD, playing well.

Likewise the midfield were also combining well and making some fine interceptions to keep the game flowing.

Unfortunately a late lapse by Ashford saw Hendon score a break away goal, which Ashford keeper bravely got a hand to, but it landed in the top corner of the Ashford net, to secure victory for the north London side by three goals to two.

Next Saturday the Red & Blacks are at home at 12 noon, to near neighbours Staines 3rd XI, who are rooted at the base of the League table.

It is a vital game for Ashford who really need to secure more points to move out of the relegation zone and up the table.

Coach MANDY WAIN is optimistic though that with the improvements made by the team in the recent weeks, the good team spirit and keen competition for places in the squad, the victories will come.

Team:
S. Stedford (GK), S. Smart, K. Fry, E. Hynes, P Worsfold, A. Protheroe, J. Parsons, S McGlinley, L. Samouel (Skipper), O. Young, J Basford, K Greene, T Holland