Player of Match:
Katie Greene

Ashford always knew that their home game against second in the League side Hampstead & Westminster 2nd XI on Saturday, was going to be tough, even if they had been able to field their full normal squad. However, a bad hand injury to key, and very much in form full back Sophie Smart, during a mixed cup game last Sunday, plus the absence of star sweeper JACKIE PARSONS and regular other full back EMMA HYNES; left Ashford without any of their regular back line. Coach MANDY WAIN had no choice therefore, but to shuffle round the team and also to call up KAREN FOWLER from the 2nd XI to make her first team debut and moved skilful midfielder KATIE GREENE back to play sweeper. The visitor’s mean time appeared to have no such injury problems, and attacked Ashford from the very start of the game and they opened the scoring within five minutes of play from a well worked short corner routine. Things didn’t get any better for the Red & Blacks as the half progressed as the visitors took full control of the game. Ashford were not surprisingly struggling with their very much changed back line and midfield. Further problems arose as midfielder TRACEY HOLLAND continued to suffer with her back problems and wasn’t able to play to play in much of the game. By half time, the visitors had managed to hammer home four more goals, several from further short corners, to take what looked like an unassailable five nil lead at the interval.

Things went from bad to worse for Ashford on the injury front in the second half as firstly young defender ANNA PROTHEROE, got injured and had to be substituted. This was followed by a nasty blow to Kiwi defender KIM FRY, who got hit in the face by the ball as she bravely ran out to defend yet another Hampstead & Westminster short corner. Luckily it wasn’t a blood injury, but she had to leave the field and the already injured defender, ANNA PROTHEROE had to come back on to play. Despite their on-going problems, things did improve slightly for Ashford as the players settled into their new defensive roles and goal keeper SAM GRANT saved a penalty flick, to help keep the visitors in check a bit more. The constant pressure eventually told though and the visitors managed to score another three goals to run out worthy winners by eight goals to nil.

There are no League matches for any of the Ashford sides next week due to the Easter holidays, and then the 1st XI Ladies have a League rest week, before playing their last game of the season on Saturday April 5th. It will be a tough fixture as they face third placed Mill Hill 1st XI away. However, the break should give the player’s time to recover from their injuries and coach MANDY WAIN will have a full, fit squad to select from.

Team
S. Grant (GK), K.Fowler, K Greene, K. Fry, A. Protheroe, P Worsfold, S McGinley, A Donelan, L. Samouel (Skipper), J Bashford, O. Young, T Holland, S Kenward.