Windsor Royalist’s 0 v Ashford Antiques (AA’s) 3Windsor

18/4/09

On a lovely sunny Saturday, most of the AA’s regular squad travelled to the Royal Borough of Windsor to meet with the Queen (well the AHC version, namely Shirley Winson0 and to play some hockey and hopefully retain our 100% record for the season. Once the formal pre match formalities of the exchange of edible gifts was over, the AA’s knuckled down from the start and played some excellent hockey. At first though the three (yes three forwards!) seemed to be a bit goal shy, and the dynamic midfield of Westlake/Bashford, Morgan and Neyton were getting a bit restless as they were providing excellent goal scoring opportunities for the wayward forwards. However, Freddie and Tracey Walsh took heed and quickly added a goal apiece to maintain their individual AA’s goal a game record for the season and put the Red & Blacks 2-0 up. Windsor gradually got more into the game, but stalwart defenders English, Brown and Saunders coped with anything that came their way and goalkeeper Ali B had little to deal with.
At half time the opposition kindly provided some alcoholic beverages and oranges for the AA’s to enjoy and these obviously affected a few players as when Ali B said she was bored in goal, both Sam Clarey and Maria Cavilla volunteered to take over from her for the second half. What was more surprising was that Ali asked if she could have fifteen minutes playing at right back in the second half. An obviously sun affected Skipper agreed and Sam got kitted up and Ali made her debut on the pitch and actually connected with the ball once or twice, whilst Sam took in the view between the sticks! The changes didn’t seem to affect the team though and once again we dominated play, but found goals hard to come by. Despite having the shooting power of goal machines Maria Cavilla and Gillian Clegg on hand, the forwards just didn’t seem to want to get the ball past the Windsor keeper and the team and big crowd starting muttering about “Jug avoidance” tactics! Eventually star player Annie Neyton went on one of her electric runs and put the ball in from an acute angle, to make the result secure at 3-0. Thus the AA’s retained their 100% record having played two and won two goals for 7 and against 2 –yes!!
Several players put in fine performances including a storming one from Annie Neyton, who was voted the AA’s player of the match. Thanks also to all the spectators and supporters, especially Aunty Shirley and Ordinary Fairy for encouraging us and Windsor for providing such excellent weather and hot teas.
AA’s Team; Ali Boxell, Doreen Brown, Alex Saunders, Jane English, Lynne Morgan (Captain), Annie Neyton, Freddie Newman, Sue Westlake, Gillian Clegg, Tracey Walsh, Sam Clarey, Maria Cavilla, Jacqui Bashford