Departing pommie Bruce Cotton, managing the team for a last hurrah couldn’t fathom out ‘why this team isn’t top of the league’.

It was a master class in attacking hockey as Ashford rolled over a Sevenoakes side some 12 points ahead in the league.

The math was simple, a win by 4 goals and a defeat for Henley would mean safety for a side that has been inconsistent throughout the season but was coming into fine form.

Ashford started strongly with Barnes sprinting though the midfield to set up an early attack. This set the tempo as only a few minutes later Barnes again gave the attack some width by hitting a fine pass to the right wing to Holland who got the ball to Emmerton in the D to put Ashford ahead after just five minutes.

Midfielder and captain Smart wasn’t going to loose out on any glory as just four minutes later he laid on another fine pass to Emmerton to get his second.

Sevenoakes were unlucky in hitting the post but Smart carried on his attacking foray when he found himself in the opposition D with some space. He struck a shot that bounced back to him; he struck again with the same result until the 3rd shot found Lewis who demonstrated to his more experienced colleague how to score.

So after just 20 minutes the Reds were 3 up and that’s the way it stayed until halftime.

The second half started spectacularly as Meadows crossed from the left, the ball went through to the back post as Emmerton dived and deflected the ball to hit his hat trick and 4th goal for Ashford.

Just seven minutes later Smart beat two players as he had another foray into the D and hit a reverse stick shot, which ricocheted off a defenders stick. The keeper was left helpless as the ball arched above him and hit the bar. It just wasn’t going to be Sevenoakes day as the ball rebounded to Lewis to score his second goal as Ashford went 5-0 up.

In the 50th minute of the game Ed Green hit a speculative strike into the D the ball again deflected off a defenders stick towards Lewis whose deft touch into goal meant that he was the second player to score his hat trick in the same game.

This was exhibition hockey as Ashford tore into Sevenoakes. The squad of 13 all contributed in keeping the tempo high with tired legs being replaced by fresh ones in a true 70-minute performance.

Sevenoakes did come back through a short corner strike well saved by Adam Smith but the rebound came back to a Sevenoakes player who managed to squeeze the ball into the goal.

Back came Ashford and it was a chance for Smart to score to reward his excellent performance making it 7-1. The best was yet to come as just a minute later Dan Holland beat two players and struck a superb undercut shot wide of the keeper to ensure that goal difference that was required was not in any danger- at 8-1 this was easily the most comfortable win this season. Just before the final whistle Sevenoakes scored another through a set piece but it was just a consolation goal as Ashford ended up 8-2 victors.

There’s a football team right now playing in the Premier league that wear red shirts.

They have a tendency to win matches with style, they are also the team that head the league and are going to be crowned champions. This Ashford performance was one that wins championships, and although it was a disappointing season overall, the lessons learnt meant that this team has evolved to one that can really compete for the top spot next time.

As it transpired poor Henley lost 2-1 to West Hampstead which meant that the goal feast at Short Lane provided more than entertainment. It also provided the warmth in freezing conditions of safety from relegation

The future’s bright, the future’s red.