Ladies League Hockey 28/3/09

Middlesex Premier

MILL HILL 1st XI 2 v ASHFORD 1st XI 4
For their eighteenth game of the season Ashford Ladies 1st XI traveled to north London to play the team three places below them in the league, Mill Hill Ladies 1st XI. The squad was minus key defenders EMMA HYNES and KIM FRY, and with the three other Ashford Ladies sides having key games League to play, coach MANDY WAIN only took a squad of twelve players. The one week break from League action, early morning match start time of 10.30 am, along with the journey round the M40, all seemed to take their toll on the Red & Blacks as they found themselves 2-0 down after only ten minutes of play. Whilst Mill Hill ladies started the game in a fairly spritely manner, Ashford were playing a bit like statues and with a few players playing out of position, mistakes were made and they deserved to go behind. The two goal deficit spurred Ashford into life though and they started firing on all four cylinders for the first time in the match. One goal was pulled back by the Red & Blacks after another ten minutes or so of play, when veteran sweeper JACKIE PARSONS fired in her first goal of the game from a penalty corner. The on form Ashford striker LIV YOUNG then followed up with an equaliser from open play to make the score even at 2-2. Further determined play saw the Red & Blacks take control of the game and the speedy stick skills and ferocious strikes of JACKIE PARSONS saw her secure her second goal of the game to put the Red & blacks 3-2 ahead shortly before half time.

The second half turned out to be a bit of a midfield battle, with the Red & Blacks restricting Mill Hill’s forays on goals, yet not making too many of their own. Part way through the half an accidental clash of heads between young Ashford full back ELINE SIBIA and one of the Mill Hill forwards, left ELINE feeling rather groggy and with a lump on her forehead the size of a large egg. Although she tried to play on, ELINE had to be substituted and given time to recover. Ashford’s rhythm of play was not to effected by the enforced change though and their superiority eventually showed through when LIV YOUNG got her second goal of the game from a well worked short corner to make the final score 4-2 to the Red & Blacks. The ever dependable SOPHIE SMART, who had moved from her regular left back position to fill in at centre back for the missing EMMA HYNES, played her usual solid game, as did keeper SAM GRANT amongst others. However, it was the dynamic running combined with the two goals, deft stick control and skills of young forward LIV YOUNG that shone the brightest on the day and she was deservedly voted the player of the match. Coach MANDY WAIN was pleased with the come back and spirit shown by her team as they continue their chase the fifth position spot in the League.

Next week for their penultimate game of the season, the Red & Blacks have to travel away again, this time to Paddington to face runaway League leaders Hampstead & Westminster 2nd XI. The game is being played in the afternoon and coach MANDY WAIN should have a full squad to pick from and will be hoping the team will be on their toes and ready to play from the off.

Team: S. Grant (GK), E. Sibia, J.Bashford, P.Worsfold S.Kenward (Skipper), A. Protheroe, J.Parsons, L.Young, K.Taylor, N. Benedict, S Smart, A.Neyton