Proud performance

Ashford took on leaders Fareham who had been scoring an average of just under 5 goals a game and only conceding 1 in all the league matches they had played so far. Promotion is almost certain for Fareham while Ashford’s season is certain to carry on being a roller coaster ride.

Despite the difference in league rankings Ashford started well but conceded an early goal after just 7 minutes when the ball was needlessly given away from an Ashford free hit in the Fareham half. The lapse of concentration was punished with a counter-attacking move, which resulted in Fareham celebrating an early lead.This spurred Ashford to play some of the best hockey of the season as they fought to claw back the game. Emmerton hit the post and there was a fine save from the Fareham keeper.

Good possession and good tempo meant that Ashford looked like a side quite capable of competing with the top side as they camped in the Fareham half looking for a breakthrough. That came when they won a short corner after some good pressure. The set piece became a farce as the ball went past Olly Smith and Jimmy Webber; Fareham broke away and within 15 seconds of the short corner had added a second.That goal took the stuffing out of Ashford as within the next 5 minutes Fareham scored another 2. Ashford had 3 yellow cards making the half time team talk somewhat challenging as the boys went in 4 nil down.

Fareham don’t lead the league by accident. They are an excellent side, well drilled playing a 3-1-3-3 formation, first introduced by the Germans in the 80’s. There’s good movement off the ball, they pass with high tempo and no player holds the ball long enough for anyone to close them down. This gives them fluidity and movement that the lesser sides in the league cannot live with. It was starting to look the same story for Ashford.

Starting with 8 men for 10 minutes of the second half meant that Fareham added a 5th and before long it was 6 nil. Despite the scoreline Ashford fought back and a bad foul by the Fareham keeper not only earned him a yellow card but allowed Ashford to get back into the game through a penalty flick which Jimmy Webber put away.

The break gave the boys time to think and for the last 15 minutes they played hockey on par with some of the games of last season. Suddenly the belief they had in the first 20 minutes of the game came flooding back. Beautiful and vintage Ashford pass and move hockey came visiting Short Lane.

With 3 minutes to go Ashford had scored another 3 goals bringing the score back to 6-4. Fareham looked flustered and it would have been the first time that this side had been under any real pressure this season, the side doing this to them was an Ashford side short of resources made up by sheer passion of not wanting to be embarrassed on their home ground. As the clock ran down Fareham were relieved and a brave effort by the Ashford boys ended in a defeat but a proud performance.

There were some excellent performances especially from Dan Appleyard and an eye catching one from Mark Bryan. Andrew Webber played one of his best games this season as he revelled against opposition who will comfortably sit in the National league next season.