Goal Scorer:
Jackie Parsons

Player of the Match:
Jacqui Bashford

It was derby day at Short Lane on Saturday as Ashford entertained local rivals and neighbours Staines. The Red & Blacks were able to welcome back regular goalkeeper SAM GRANT and midfielder STACEY KENWARD, who both had fully recovered from recent injuries’. In fact, with the exception of KATIE GREENE, coach MANDY WAIN had the ful, regular, first team squad available for the game.

In bright conditions and in front of a relatively large crowd, the home side Ashford started well. The fluent team work, adventurous attacking format and ever increasing confidence on the ball were again in evidence in the opening part of the game. It therefore was too unexpected when after fifteen minutes or so of play, Ashford opened the scoring. A quick through ball from skipper LAURA SAMOUEL just outside the Staines circle, found sweeper JACKIE PARSONS who had moved up the field to aid the attack. JACKIE let the ball run into the circle, then spun round cleverly and swept it into the back of the visitors net, to put the Red & Blacks one goal ahead. Despite the early Ashford dominance, Staines hung on for the rest of the half and showed determination and skills of their own, as Ashford sat back a little on their early lead.

The second half saw the Red & Blacks trying to up the pace again, prompted well by their midfielders. Best amongst them was Ashford player of the match JACQUI BASHFORD, whose numerous neat touches, jab tackles and endless running on and off the ball down right flank were causing lots of problems for the visitors. The forwards were also doing well with youngster LIV YOUNG using her speed and silky stick skills harass the Staines defence and also to combine well with fellow striker SHARON McGLINLEY to mount numerous attacks. Surprisingly though, the home team’s pressure didn’t result in them gaining any short corners during the entire match.

As the game moved into the final quarter, Staines upped their game and pressed hard for the equaliser, and after several attacks they secured a short corner. They took it well, but the Ashford keeper SAM GRANT saved the shot and stalwart defenders EMMA HYNES and SOPHIE SMART helped to clear the Ashford lines. The Red & Blacks then rallied a little, but were unable to add to their lead and opted to play some safety hockey in the closing ten minutes of the game to retain their narrow lead. They did, and thus secured three more valuable league points and their second clean sheet and victory in the four games they have played so far in 2008.

Not surprisingly, the team, coach MANDY WAIN and the home supporters were all very pleased with the victory, which was a just reward for their improved form and cohesive team work. Next Saturday the Red & Blacks have to travel to north London to face Winchmore Hill & Enfield 1st XI, who are two places below them in the League. It is another vital game for Ashford as they try to continue with their steady climb up the League table. Hopefully Coach MANDY WAIN will have a full squad of players to pick the team and that they will continue to work hard on their team work and goal scoring prowess.

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