Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

In their seventeenth League game of the season, Ashford Ladies 1st XI played host to the team who were one place and two points ahead of them, Harrow 2^nd XI at Short Lane on Saturday. Ashford were able to welcome back defenders KIM FRY and ANNA PROTHOROE to help boost the squad, but were without young, speedy, striker LIV YOUNG.

In pleasant playing conditions, Harrow took the initiative at the start of the game, by playing a very attacking format of four strikers up front. This put Ashford on the back foot for the first fifteen minutes of the game as the north London visitors mounted numerous attacks on the home side goal. The Red & Blacks weathered the storm though with stalwart defending from the ever reliable back five of goalkeeper SAM GRANT, sweeper JACKIE PARSONS and full and centre backs SOPHIE SMART, EMMA HYNES and KIM FRY. In addition, their ever improving team work enabled Ashford to slowly get back into the game with some good interchanges in midfield and hard running from all. Although the strikers and midfield players tried hard, especially SHARON McGINLEY, who was playing slightly deeper than normal and wide midfielder JACQUI BASHFORD, who was playing despite a heavy cold, they were unable to find the back of the net as the half progressed. Ashford were given a scare on the stroke of half time though, as Harrow were awarded a short corner and they brought all ten of their outfield players up to the Ashford goal circle, as they attempted to open the scoring. The Ashford defence stood tall though and they cleared the danger to keep the score line blank at half time.

The second half saw Ashford controlling the game more as the team blended well to thwart any Harrow attacks and build plenty of their own. Mid way through the half the telling runs and stunning close control, of star Red & Blacks midfielder KATIE GREENE, who has been on fire from wise in the second half of the season, saw her stroking another superb, cross field, through ball. This time it went to striker SHARON McGINLEY, who headed off down the right wing to the back line, where she cut in and struck for goal, her first attempt was blocked and her second was partly scrambled away to the ever alert STACEY KENWARD, who struck the ball home from close in to put Ashford 1-0 ahead. Ashford endeavoured to add to their lead but were unable to do so, and in the last few seconds of the game, history repeated itself as Harrow again got a short corner on the stroke of full time. Once again the visitors brought all ten of their outfield players up, as they attempted to secure an equaliser, Ashford managed to clear their lines yet again, and hold onto their lead and notch up their fifth League win of the season.

The result sees Ashford move up to sixth position, with three games remaining, and the bottom Club unable to catch them points wise. Next week the Red & Blacks entertain top of the table side Teddington 2^nd XI at Short Lane at 3pm, in what will be a very tough fixture as the “Teddy bears,” have so far not lost a League game all season.

However, there is no reason that Ashford should fear them as the Red & Black’s team work and spirit is second to none at present, and coach Mandy Wain has installed a new confidence and belief into all the squad members and is honing their hockey skills superbly in their run into the end of the season.

Team
S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, E. Hynes, K. Fry, A. Protheroe, P Worsfold, J. Parsons, S McGinley, K Greene, L. Samouel (Skipper), J Bashford, T Holland, S Kenward.

Player of the Match:
Katie greene and Sharon Mc ginley

Sat 19th April – Annual Dinner Dance at the Clubhouse starting from 7pm.
Tickets are £40 each and will include food, entertainment and a welcome drink.

Its that time of year again, when we remember the season 2007-08 (for those that want to!!!) and honour individuals and teams who have excelled in their playing with the annual dinner and awards ceremonies.

This year the club dinner will be held in a Marquee at the club, so maximising sports club fundraising whilst we all celebrate and party. Talk to those that came last year and look at the photos on this website - the reports were great and the requests to do a repeat performance were plentiful…so here it is!!!

Deposits of £10 are being taken now - and tickets will then be issued on completion of payments! Remember your partners are more than welcome, so let me know how many tickets you need. See me or your captains with your monies and and any special dietry requirements

Wendy Baker

Dust off the hats, fascinators and headbands….we’re off to the races…or they’re coming to AHC as part of our March Mad Hatters Social

To give us a reason to wear our hats, we’ll be entering into a racing spirit with the geegees and dogs coming to the club. But wear your best, or most creative, or just any…there will be a hat competition as befits a Mad Hatters night! Well, the end of the season is in sight, and we need to let off some steam :-0 and record some more winners….this time on the races!! 8 races, so 8 chances of winning….but you’ve got to be in it to win it! so come on down and feel some of the march madness spirit. There’ll be other chances of winning too!

WANTED!!!

Sponsors for Races
8 races - £20 a race! Can be either individuals or teams can combine…We have 8 races and 10 teams….so can each team find a sponsor??? And then you can name your race!!!

Sponsors for the race entrants!!!
A bargainous £2 per entrant - 8 races, each with 8 entrants….so 64 chances to sponsor either a horse or a dog….and name your beast (names can be provided if you’re not feeling creative!)

Let me know if you want to do either
Thanks,
Wendy

The winners in the Astro Draw for February 2008 are:

• £100 Sharon McGinley
• £50 Nic Robinson
• £50 Gill Waite

Well done one and all, your cheques should be with you soon.

Click here for more details about the draw and an application form.

Saturday 16^th February, yet another sunny winter’s day (what IS with this weather???) and the 2^nd XI welcomed bottom of the league Lewes to Short Lane for another test of the team’s new found metal.  Bar one change (the Granger returning from his tour of the Southern Hemisphere) we started with the same team that beat Eastcote 3 – 1 the week before.   Targeting three points, we went into this in an upbeat mood. 

Keen to make a mark on his return, Granger led the front with Rosey, pressured the Lewes defense into some basic errors and allowed us to enjoy a lot of the play.  Now, this to any other team would be normal, yet for the 2s, it’s a strange phenomenon and we’re not entirely used to it.  So despite all of the early possession and chances, it took us nearly 15 minutes to convert the pressure into an outcome. 

Following good work down the right, the ball landed at Granger’s feet at the top of the ‘D’.  His shot was saved, as was the follow up from Rosey; however with that rebound landing at Cole’s feet he calmly drag ‘scooped’ the ball over the oncoming ‘keeper and into the back of the net.  Reasonable finish that as we all expected a typical wind up and ‘release of the beast’ type shot.  Well done Cole.  

A good start which we typically floundered a few minutes later by letting Lewes into the game, enjoy possession and pressure us in defense. Pressure which resulted in a short corner and a well converted flick into the top left corner. 

Still, this 2^nd XI are built of sterner stuff these days and another flowing move down our right saw Granger deliver a peach of a pass to the unmarked Rosey, right in front of the ‘keeper.  A deft touch from the youngster down his right foot with back to goal deflected the ball into the opposite corner.  Beautiful.  2-1 and half time. 

We kept things the same in the 2^nd half and continued to enjoy the majority of the play but in an unfamiliar situation we found ourselves stretched as fitness came into the fray.  And with stretched play came desperate defending as we were always vulnerable on the break.  More on that in a bit. 

Fine moves from the midfield through Cole, Smart, Harry and the outside halves gave Rosey and Granger some great chances upfront and if it wasn’t for a string of saves from the Lewes ‘keeper this could have been a cricket score. 

We scored our 3^rd around fifteen minutes into the half when Granger scored the first of his brace with a delightful reverse stick hit across the ‘D’.  3 – 1. 

And with that we started to take our foot off the gas as the 3 points felt comfortably within our grasp. Of course, that meant Lewes attacked more and we defended more.  Something we’re all too familiar with this year.  Desperate tackles to break up Lewes play saw Harry receive a yellow and then, to make it worse, Granger was given a yellow for dissent.  Who said we didn’t like to make it interesting?! 

Lewes scored from another short corner (it was a bit of a mess and doesn’t really deserve comment so we’ll leave it at that) but shortly after returning to full strength, we grabbed a fourth through Granger again.  Another well worked move from the right (whatever happened to our left?) saw yet another reverse stick hit bouncing off the backboard much to our delight. 

With 10 minutes left, there was still time for us to create a bounty of chances (and we really should have scored more) but things were levelled by the umpires after 2 Lewes players were yellowed for persistent bad tackles.  They were fortunate not to have a third dismissed with 2 minutes left after another quick break from Ashford.  Common sense finally prevailing in the umpires minds. 

The game ended, we achieved 3 points, goals and most impressively for the first time this season back-to-back wins.  We creep closer to safety but with Canterbury winning and Eastcote drawing we stay in the same perilous position.  Now though, we are buoyed by confidence and form. 

Things could, just could, be looking up for us as we approach the season run-in. 

Well done boys, proud of you this week. 

The 2s travel to mid-table London Wayfarers on Saturday as one of the in-form teams of the league.   

Washer

Middlesex Premier League

Player of the Match:
Katie Greene

For their trip to Shepherd’s Bush to face PHC Chiswick 1^st XI last Saturday, Ashford were without regular midfielder/defender ANNA PROTHEROE, who was still suffering with the injury she got in last week’s big win.However, they were able to welcome back regular midfielder STACEY KENWARD after her short winter break, and also add 2^nd XI stalwart ALI DONELAN to their thirteen player squad.Ashford seemed to like the chilly, yet sunny conditions as they opened the game strongly and quickly put the home team’s defence under pressure.Their ventures up the field soon created a chance in the PHC Chiswick’s circle, but the Red & Blacks were unable to muster a decent shot at goal and the home team cleared their lines and created an attack of their own. Their attacks were calmly dealt with though by the Red & Blacks defence, with sweeper JACKIE PARSONS performing particularly well.The solid teamwork and spirit of Ashford was again playing dividends as the whole team combined well to move the ball swiftly round the pitch and between each other, resulting in shots on goal by strikers LIV YOUNG and SHARON McGINLEY.Ashford then secured their first short corner of the game, which was cleanly and decisively slotted home, by sweeper JACKIE PARSONS to deservedly put Ashford 1-0 up after eleven minutes of play.Five minutes later, Ashford deservedly went 2-0 up, when some skilful play on the right by the effervescent midfielder KATIE GREENE, saw her neatly pass the ball to skipper LAURA SAMOUEL on the left of the circle.LAURA swiftly took the ball towards the back line and cleverly reversed swept it past the oncoming defenders, back to Katie who was free and in space, in front of goal.KATIE duly slotted the easy chance home to put the Red & Blacks two ahead.The second Ashford goal seemed to stir the home team into action and they hit back shortly after, by scoring their first goal of the game after a melee in front of the Red & Blacks net. This was followed up by a well struck short corner, which Ashford sweeper JACKIE PARSONS cleared off the goal line.As Chiswick found their rhythm, they piled on the attacks and one break away on the right saw Ashford concede a penalty flick.A Chiswick defender stepped up to swiftly slot the stroke low and to the right of the Ashford keeper SAM GRANT, to score the equaliser after twenty five minutes of play in the first half.

After the interval, the home side played the more dominant hockey, with their thrust full forwards pinning the Ashford defence back for long periods of the half.The Red & Blacks continued to work hard though and on a tiring pitch surface, midfielder and ‘player of the match’ KATIE GREENE, showed some deft touches and made some incisive runs into the PHC Chiswick defence and goalmouth.Both sides had chances to score as the half progressed and gained numerous short corners each, but neither side were able to convert any of them.The score thus remained at 2-2 until full time, enabling the Red & Blacks to gain their first League away point in 2008, which pleased both the team and coach MANDY WAIN.There aren’t any Middlesex League fixtures next Saturday, so Ashford’s next Ladies 1^st XI game isn’t until March 1^st.They are then at home to Harrow 1^st XI, in what should be a close game as the visitors are only one place above them in the League with two more points.

Team;
S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, E. Hynes, P Worsfold, J. Parsons, S McGinley, K Greene, L. Samouel (Skipper), O. Young, J Bashford, T Holland, S Kenward, A Donelan.

Man of the Match:
Rosey 

Saturday 9^th February, a sunny winter’s day and the 2^nd XI travelled to Eastcote for a crunch game…a must win game.  As always, changes to the team were made as we continue to struggle with a consistent starting XI; Adam Smith returning in goal this week.  We desperately needed to win this game to move away from the bottom two and hang on to the coat tails of mid-table.

Not the best build up to the game: arrived late, had to borrow a ‘keepers helmet from Eastcote and warmed up on the side of the pitch.  That said, team spirits were high, there was some good banter and the shambles of a pre match were quickly out of our minds once the game started.    

Early pressure came from a predominantly young Eastcote side, with plenty of movement in Ashford’s ‘D’ – early chances were well saved by Adam in goal, who looked like he’d never left the position.  With Shar and Digger marshalling the backs we absorbed the pressure well and started to play the ball through our midfield.  Gaps soon appeared in Eastcote’s set-up down their flanks and we started to enjoy territory with the ball.  A couple of good moves down the left through Charlie, Carl and Dan Holland up front producing a succession of long corners. 

With this pressure Ashford took the lead after 20 minutes.  An excellent cross field ball from Meadows found Captain Washer on the right.  Cutting inside the young left back, he found Rosey on the baseline, he beat his marker and crossed for Dan Holland to shoot into the keeper.  With typical panache, Cole had followed up from midfield and tucked the re-bound away.  A deserved lead. 

The rest of the half continued much in the same way:  Eastcote pressure followed by Ashford counter attack.  As always, young Dan Rose continued to thwart the oppo defenders with another composed performance and worked well with Dan ‘one-trick pony’ Holland. 

Half time came; we were tired but encouraged as we knew a win was on. In the 2^nd half we changed things around a little to man mark Eastcote’s playmaker so we could suffocate them further.  It didn’t work though as Eastcote levelled five minutes after the restart.  With a cross expected from a tight angle, Adam was caught surprised as the shot flew in at the far post.  We wobbled, not a good start, Eastcote felt the tide turn. 

Except that didn’t happen this time.  Resolute at the back, Billy in his best performance of the season had plenty of space and was able to release the pressure from the Eastcote forwards.  We also started to get the rub of the green with the umpires for the first time this season.   

A tactical change saw Prince Harry move into the man marking position to give Smarty a rest with Rakey coming in at left back.  Both excelled themselves and we started to threaten on the counter again.    

On 50 minutes, Billy cleared from the back with a typical clout up the pitch, the ball somehow finding man-of-the-match Rosey who with his first touch was able to turn the ball round his marker and onto the Eastcote keeper.  One-on-one, he rounded calmly, headed wide and coolly slotted the ball through the 2 defenders on the line.  No shot needed.  Good goal with a strange celebration from the young man who now resembles a young Graham Smart with his haircut! 

At this point you could see Eastcote’s heads dropped and we sniffed a win.

To Eastcote’s credit though they continued to press and produced a succession of short corners.  We repelled them all but had started to fall deep to protect the lead. There were some desperate tackles, Billy bravely going in on a reverse stick hit and stopping it was typical of the Ashford performance throughout:  Resolute, brave and wanting to win.   

With 4 minutes remaining, we broke out of defence again, Rosey mugging his defender again only to be taken out by another in the ‘D’ – penalty stroke.  Digger strolled up from the back and buried it.  We knew then we’d won and deserved it as well. 

The brief for this game was to follow the example of the men’s 1^st XI and win at all costs – even if it was ugly.  For large periods of this game we chased the ball and defended the trenches but going forward we are one of the best teams in this league and it showed today.  Four key chances and we took three of them (our best conversion of the season).  Well done lads, a bit of breathing space as we move ahead of Canterbury and away from the relegation zone.  A performance that proves we’re good enough to compete in this league. 

The 2s welcome Lewes to Short Lane on Saturday for yet another must win. 

Washer  

I have added 12 excellent action photographs taken by Mr Dave Burd (father of one of the home teams players), to the Ladies 1st XI Games 2008 folder in the Photos section.

Thanks are due to Dave for both his ace photographic skills and for kindly forwarding them to AHC.

Enjoy.

AHC Social Function

Saturday 9th February AHC’s first ever Barn Dance 7/7.30pm until late

With a professional caller to talk us through the dances!

TICKETS - £5 available from Wendy or Captains. Email Wendy on ahcsocial@hotmail.co.uk

Goal scorer:
Dan Rose

Man of the match:
Paul (entrapment) Neyton

Saturday 26th January and it was derby day two of the season as the 2nd XI travelled the short distance to local rivals Staines.
A beautiful winter’s day provided the backdrop to probably the best game of the season for the 2s. We travelled with a re-jigged team. Shar popped up from the 3s to add experience and composure to the defence, allowing captain Washer to move back to the right side of midfield and Dawson ‘I did 10 miles before the game’ Hardiman returned from the North sea squalls to add much needed presence up front.

Following a heavy defeat to Winchester the week before, the focus for this game was communication and enjoyment. No pressure, just play as you want. Quite possibly the best advice I’ve given so far this season. What a response from this team. Yes, we lost…but my god it was close and great fun to play in. Things couldn’t have started better, early pressure on the Staines defence found weak spots in their full backs so from there we built. As always, chances were hard to come by and Staines too started to work themselves into the game. The defence however, in contrast to previous games, was far more balanced and organised with Shar doing some great work to get people into the right places; Digger as always mopped up any loose balls and Billy and Charlie finally found their voices shouting at the midfield to do something for them. Up front, young Dan Rose continued to play like someone far beyond his years responding well to Dawson’s more experienced methods. And so it was no real surprise when we took the lead following some fantastic pressure from Cole and Washer in the midield to break up the Staines Defence. Feeding Dawson on the right he crossed for Rosey who finished neatly from a couple of yards. 1 – 0 was so very nearly followed by 2 – 0 shortly after when Cole found Washer hammering into the ‘D’ only to see his reverse hit skim the crossbar from the top (ish) of the ‘D’. Staines continued to exert pressure through their central midfield as the half came to a close and started to show the form that has put them at the top of the league. A knock to Smarty in the midfield meant we had to change things briefly which disrupted our rhythm for a while and this coupled with a sustained period of pressure saw Staines pick up two very fortuitous goals. First, after the ball ran up Billy’s stick and off his face, Staines were allowed to play on and bury the chance from a yard or so. And the second? Well let’s just say that I haven’t seen a ball go like that off an attempted reverse hit before and I don’t think Dan in goal has either – he wasn’t quite sure what to do with a reverse bob scuff. It threw us all and trickled in. We turned in disbelief and I think Staines turned in shame.

Still, half time, 2 – 1 down and very much leading the game. We kept things the same for the 2^nd half and weathered early pressure from Staines repelling short corners and counter attacks. The last 20 minutes? Well that was all Ashford with some of the best attacking and patient hockey we’ve played. We put the ball into channels, we made leads, we won corners, we hit the post, we kept the ball moving and started to run Staines off the pitch but we just couldn’t find that finish we so richly deserved.

Some lost patience with a couple of green cards being flashed but all in all this was possibly the best derby I’ve played in with Staines.
No malice, no aggro just good hockey with both teams desperate to come out on top. The game ended on a series of short corners to Ashford where we learnt another valuable lesson. Perhaps if we practiced more at training we might have come away with the win as we appeared a little clueless at the top. Still, the game ended on a high for us.

This was a much, much better performance by the 2s and although we dropped 3 points we’ve found the belief to take into the rest of the season and keep ourselves in this league.

This was a big performance. The 2s welcome Brighton to Short Lane on Saturday looking for 3 points.

Washer

£100 Andy Barnes

£50 Marty Reason

£50 Hilary Hull

Congratulations all

Download the latest Red & Black Newsletter: December 2007

It has all the latest news and updates:

• Chairmans Chatter - with the latest on all the teams
• Social News
• Stork Club
• Entertainments - Pop Idol 3 update
• Astro Draw Fund Winners
• AA’s Chatter
• The Season So Far…
• Juniors
• Umpires

Have a good Christmas and New Year

If you ever needed a reason to wear a gumshield then here’s one… and Graham WAS wearing one.

Think of the damage if he hadn’t.

Hockeyheaven will be donating a box of gumshields to the club FOC so those that haven’t got them can protect your gnashers.

These will be £1 donation and the funds will go directly to the astro fund.

You will be able to get the gumshields from behind the bar.

After a 2 year recovery break Pop Idol returns to your local clubhouse on Dec 1st 2007.

Once again we are asking you… the stars to make it an unbelievable night at Club Ashford.

more info here.

In the meantime, here is a teaser: