Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

Ladies League Hockey 27^th September 2008
Middlesex Premier

West Hampstead 2^nd XI 0 v Ashford 1st XI 2

In their opening game of the new season Ashford Ladies 1^st XI had to travel to Brent Cross to play the newly promoted West Hampstead 2^nd XI. Coach MANDY WAIN had the luxury of being able to pick a large squad and added goalkeeper LIV WASHER, debutant young defender ELINE SIBIA, the ever green ANNIE NEYTON, regular 2^nd XI scorer MARIA CAVILLA and speedy forward HAYLEY EAMES to the bulk of the regular squad from last season. In warm conditions West Hampstead put Ashford under pressure in the opening exchanges of the game, but some good tackles by the well organised Ashford defence and a good save by regular keeper SAM GRANT thwarted any of their threatening attacks. As the Red & Blacks then settled into the game they started to dominate play, with ANNIE NEYTON’S probing runs and piercing passes proving to be a thorn in the home team’s side. Numerous Ashford forays on goal were mounted and several short corners gained, unfortunately the well practiced Red & Black routines were not running smoothly and main striker JACKIE PARSONS was not able to get many shots in on goal. However, Ashford forward MARIA CAVILLA and mid fielder/striker ANNIE NEYTON did manage to get some shots in, but none were totally successful. Despite all the Ashford pressure, it took a brave save just before half time by goal minder SAM GRANT, when one of the home team forwards was clean through, to keep the score at 0-0 at the break

At the start of the second half, Ashford coach MANDY WAIN continued her policy of changing players round by bringing on goalkeeper LIV WASHER in place of SAM GRANT. LIV was soon in action as the home side took charge and she had to make a reflex save to save a certain goal after four minutes of play. West Hampstead then shaved the wrong side of the far post with another good shot. Ashford withstood the home team’s pressure though and pushed up on the West Hampstead’s goal and secured their first short corner of the second half after ten minutes of play. Once again the routine didn’t go strictly to plan but after a bit of a melee in front of goal after a JACKIE PARSON’S shot across the goalmouth, JAQUI BASHFORD pushed the ball goal wards from close in and it was helped into the net with a slight deflection from a West Hampstead defender, to put the Red &Blacks one goal to nil up. West Hampstead immediately hit back and their ensuing shot hit the Ashford post. Sweeper JACKIE PARSONS then had to clear another shot off the Ashford goal line to ensure the Red & Blacks kept their 1-0 lead in tact. As Ashford absorbed the home team’s attacks, they started to mount more of their own and with only ten minutes left, they scored their second goal. Once again it was from a short corner, HAYLEY EAMES injected to skipper LAURA QUINN,who crossed it to JACQUI BASHFORD who hit it neatly home from around the penalty spot area to score her second goal of the game. Not surprisingly Ashford gained confidence from their second goal and they controlled the remainder of the game as the home team tired. Thus not only secured three league points, but also kept a clean sheet. Next week the Red & Blacks are at home to Hendon 1^st XI at 12noon and they will be hoping to continue their winning ways.

Team; S. Grant (GK), O Washer (GK), E Sibia, E, Hynes, H Eames, K. Fry, A. Protheroe, J Parsons, L. Quinn (Skipper), M. Cavilla, A. Neyton, J Bashford, S Kenward, S. Smart.