Player of the Match:
Phil Worsfold
Ashford were able to field the same squad of twelve players as last week, for their home fixture against fourth placed Eastcote 2nd XI on Saturday. In lovely, sunny conditions, the Red & Blacks got off to the perfect start via nibble midfielder KATIE GREENE. KATIE used her natural speed, stick skills and excellent close control to dribble past several defenders on the right, cut into the circle and strike an angled shot to score a super opening goal after only a few minutes or so of play. Ashford followed up their surprise opening goal with a second not long after, when JACKIE PARSONS scored form a short corner which LIV YOUNG controlled and slipped to Jackie on the edge of the circle. JACKIE calmly pinged the ball into the back of the net to make the score 2-0 to an elated Ashford side.
The visitors then came more into the game and after one short corner, defender ANNA PROTHOROE tried to block a hard strike and the ball hit the top of her right foot full on, causing it to swell badly. Anna had to be helped off the pitch and was taken to hospital to see what damage had been done. Coach MANDY WAIN accordingly re-arranged the Ashford team, who were now down to eleven fit players only. As the Red & Blacks readjusted, Eastcote struck back when one of their defenders converted well from another one of their short corners to make the score 2-1. Ashford were not in any mood for a defeat though and with some further dominate play, they soon struck back with a third goal. This time it was the ever alert forward SHARON McGLINLEY who picked up on a rebound from the Eastcote keeper and she jumped clear of the advancing tackles to put the ball into the net to stretch Ashford’s lead to 3-1. By now the whole team were combining well with LAURA SAMOUEL, PHIL WORSFOLD and EMMA HYNES getting through a lot work, and it wasn’t surprising when they created a fourth goal shortly before half time. This time it was youngster LIV YOUNG who picked up the ball on the left at the top of the circle and she slotted it home inside the far post to put Ashford 4-1 up at half time.
The second half continued in a similar vein, but unfortunately the Red & Blacks suffered another injury, when skipper LAURA SAMOUEL got a nasty blow to her hand and she had to come off the pitch for treatment. Ashford were thus down to ten fit players only and the visitors again took advantage, when one for their full backs worked her way up the pitch and slotted home a neat goal to bring the score to 4-2. Despite not being able to hold her stick properly, skipper LAURA SAMOUEL, soon bravely returned to the fray and put Ashford back up to eleven players and helped to restore their domination of the game. The score then remained at 4-2 to Ashford until full time and saw the Red & Blacks notch up their best win of the season and the one of their best team performances since new coach MANDY WAIN took over. Next Saturday Ashford have to travel to Hammersmith to play the team two places (but only three points ahead of them), PHC Chiswick 1st XI. It will be another difficult game, especially if the injured players haven’t fully recovered, but with their confidence running high Ashford will be hopeful of scoring some more goals and gaining another three valuable League points.
Team;
S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, E. Hynes, P Worsfold, A. Protheroe, J. Parsons, S McGlinley, K Greene, L. Samouel (Skipper), O. Young, J Bashford, T Holland
