Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Ashford Hockey Club will be held at Short Lane on Thursday 15th May 2008 at 7.30pm.

A copy of the Agenda for the meeting plus the minutes of the previous AGM (June 2007) have been e-mailed/forwarded to all paid up Club members.

If you have not recieved a copy, please e-mail the secretary@ashfordhockeyclub.co.uk or contact her at the usual number as shown in the fixture card.

The AGM is the opportunity for everyone to hear about the current developments within the club and at Short Lane and to raise questions or comments on them. As a result, it is important that everyone attends so that nay proposals adopted are a true refelction of the members feelings.

Please make every effort to attend.

I don’t what to say about this game - still in a bit of a daze about how we managed to lose it. It was certainly nothing to do with the trip and the prep before the game as we had a very pleasant drive up in perfect conditions and were there before the oppo.

The pitch was the poorest the team have played on this season - a very sandy, slow, old astro that helped to close the gap between the teams and there were other problems with this game that we never came to terms with.

It was clear as day we were comfortably the better team with better players but we lost our discipline early on and spent the first half trying to impose ourselves on the game. We took the lead after 25 minutes from a short corner, Sharpey scoring, but with the game reverting to the fractious nature of the first 10 minutes, players from both sides were sin-binned and we let in a poor goal right on the half time whistle.

Although covered extensively during half time, our lack of discipline was an issue all second half and we never recovered from conceding a penalty flick the umpire admitted he got wrong after the game.

Even so the game was there for us if we settled and just played as we can (like we had against East Grinstead in the league playoffs the week before) but we didn’t and paid the price. The 3^rd penalty was right on full time.

At the moment, tough to take but we just have to learn from this and get it right next time. Thank you all (including Harlow) for your good wishes and support.

On Sunday around 200 miles from the other big game that was being played up in Mansfield our under 13 side took on the cream
of the Southern Counties in the U13 mini-hockey tournament. We were in what was to proove to be ‘the group of death’ with Havant,
Reading and South Saxon, played in that order.

Our first game was a tight affair with Ashford having the better of the play. Dasmesh Sandhu managed to score the winning goal, however Havant had a great chance in the last seconds to equalise but they managed to put wide. A great start to the competiton, with South Saxon drawing 1-1 with Reading we were in the box seat at the top of the group.

Our second game against Reading was even tighter (if it could be), Phil Lewis put Ashford into a deserved 1-0 lead but Reading came back
strongly in the second half equalising and then taking a 2-1 lead that they held onto until the dying seconds when Ashford had a fantastic chance to salvage 3 points for a scoring draw. The chance squeezed agonisingly wide and the difference between us going into the final game on top of the table and in 3rd place was around the width of a post. At this point South Saxon narrowly defeated Havant in the other group game.

The final group game was against another good side in South Saxon, the winners of the Sussex county competition. South Saxon managed to take a first half lead and Ryan Croxon in goal managed to keep it at that along with some excellent defending from Joseph Muldoon and Harry Lee. A more even second half gave Ashford one exceptional opportunity that was well saved by the opposing keeper and the game ended 1-0 to South Saxon. With Havant beating Reading 2-1 Ashford now found themselves in 4th place in the group.

So Ashford had played 3 won 1 and lost 2, from being top of the group after the first game we found ourselves somewhat unfortunately in 4th place in the group. The games were so tight that the table could easily have been turned upside down, but we found ourselves playing Langley Park School in the plate competition in the 1/4 finals.

The game was another even affair with Ashford having the better of the first half and Blake Harris putting the Red and Blacks 1-0 ahead. Ashford continued to dominate the start of the second half and had two absolutely golden chances to go 2-0 ahead, with the defender making an exceptional clearance on one of them. As the day had gone before, Ashford could not hold onto the lead and Langley Park equalised taking the game to extra-time. Extra-time remained goal less and so once more Ashford were to be involved in a penalty stroke competition. Ryan Croxon made a couple of great saves, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be and we left the competiton having played very well at times but with nothing to show for the comitment, skill and desire that the boys showed.

A great season for the Ashford U13’s and U14’s, 2nd in our main 11 a-side league, 2nd in the U13 county mini-hockey tournament and a good performance in the south tournament. Hopefully the boys have learnt a lot from their victories and defeats as I have; we can take this forward improve our fitness, skills and decision making and have an equally good season next year.

Well done boys!!

Ian

U9 Mixed SJB Tournament  13/4/08

Ashford had a slow start with their first game against the home team being 1-1 at half time, but stepped up a gear in the second half to win the match 3-1.  Goal scorers Sam (2) & Robin (1).

Ashford met Sunbury in their second game but won it comfortably 5-0. George scored a fantastic goal in his debut appearance for Ashford. Other goal scorers were Robin (1), Sam (1) and Pavvi (2).

A short break was had after everyone got soaked in the pouring rain/hail.  Lightening was overhead so we took shelter for a while whilst it cleared.

Ashford went on to beat Horsham in their third game 5-1, with some excellent defending from Maisie and Lauren and some great forward passes leading to the goals.  Goal scorers Adesh (2), Sam (1), Robin (1) and a first goal for Charlotte in her first season of hockey.

The top three teams SJB, Teddington and Ashford were close on points and it came down to the last games for each to decide 1st, 2nd and third places.

Ashfords last game was against Teddington and both teams were on equal points so Ashford had to win to take home the trophy.  At half time it was 1-1 and was a tense match with both teams showing some great hockey and it could have gone either way.  However, the team encouraged each other at half time and went on to win the game in the last few minutes 2-1 with Sam getting both goals.

It was a fantastic day despite the weather and the team deserved to win after putting in a great display of hockey from all.  Well deserved end to the season for the U9’s and a big thank you to the parents for their support this year.

Sam Clarey Manager/Coach U9 mixed

After looking forward to this game for 2 weeks – a home game in the quarter finals of the National Plate – and a chance to show off the boys and how good they are, the resultant mismatch was a bit of an anti-climax. However you can only beat what is in front of you and we certainly did that.

15 minutes in and we had already failed to convert 10 short corners before we managed to score from open play but from then on the goals went in steadily. 5 goals to the good at half time, another 7 were added in the second despite the best efforts of their ‘keeper who played very well. 4 goals for Sharpey, 3 for Shane, 2 apiece for Ryan and Rosie and 1 for the deceptively slow Elliot Smith.

So, the semi-final is away at Mansfield on the 27^th – I will be very pleased and impressed if you can come!

Sunday 16th March 2008 - Mercian Home Counties Under 14 Play-off 1/4 Final

After a week of questions with very few answers about what was going on with our U14 division, we finally found out that we had done enough to qualify for the 1/4 finals. Defeats against Southgate and High Wycombe aside, our U14’s have shown some real strength and quality throughout the season. My personal highlights were our crushing win against Staines (9 - 2), which could so easily have been 12 or 13 and our 5 - 1 win over Gerrards Cross when the chips were down.

Before I describe what was a very, very good game of hockey I must say that the scoreline, I felt did not reflect the balance of play. The pre-match team talk was based around what we needed to do to be in with a chance and that as long as the team did the basics well and gave everything then win or lose there would have nothing to feel aggrieved about.

The boys seemed up for the game, even without Phil Lewis at the back and some half fit players we knew we were in with a chance, the game didn’t start well though. Ashford were on the back foot from the off with Teddington going ahead after just 2 minutes. Doggers made a string of at least 6 saves between 1 - 0 down and 2 - 0 down after 15 mins and it was becoming a big task to stay in the game.

It was at this point the boys got a grip and started to play their hockey. A good move down the right side led to our first real attack and chance. Ryan Holland was on the end of a pass into the attacking area, he proceeded to beat 2 defenders and move across the D and finished with the trademark reverse into the top right corner of the net, quality and 2 - 1.

Teddington went onto the attack straight from their pushback and with some incisive play made it 3 - 1 after 18 minutes. Almost straight away Ashford hit back and the pressure was applied. Ryan Holland yet again got the shot away with the ‘keeper saving well, Alex Betts in true Gordon Smith style knocked in the rebound to make it 3 - 2. At this point Ashford were in the ascendency and continued to apply the pressure and search for a leveller. This attacking play led to our downfall as Teddington nicked a fourth and soon after a fifth. This spell of 10 - 12 minutes after had we made it 3 - 2 was to proove crucial as Teddington eventually ended the half 7 - 2 ahead and almost out of sight.

The half-time team talk was ‘heads up lads’ and lets get the next goal. We discussed how we could help stop Doggers and Dom HiIlman from having to do too much more last ditch, goal saving defending. I guess it worked.

Ashford started the second half the better side and within 5 minutes made the score 7 - 3 with a nice reverse Peter Cottrell esque hit from Ryan Holland. The second half continued to be a very even affair, some better defending from us and some good midfield play from Dasmesh Sandu, Alex Betts and Luke Wheeler kept the boys in possesion of the ball for good periods. Hard working Blake Harris, continued to run the right hand channel well and got on the end of some well placed Holland aerials. Eventually the size and strength
advantage was to take hold with Teddington scoring 3 times in the last 15 minutes, one from a penalty stroke given by umpire SMITH . That 10 seconds of play summed the game up. We showed how much we wanted to win, we gave every effort and some gave more and we were just out played by a more incisive team. The game ended 10 - 3 to Teddington, but could so easily have been much, much closer.

Peter and I signed off on how proud we were of the teams achievements this season and what a good account we thought the boys had given. Man of the Match Ian Doggett proved once more that he was becoming a very good goalkeeper, Dom Hillman showed the quality and attitude that would make me push him forward for county hockey next season and Ryan Holland our captain and talisman showed what a player he is and that he could step up to Regional hockey.

Well done all of you!

Ian

National Plate last 16 – Ashford 3 High Wycombe 3 (Ashford won 4-3 on pens)

Goals
Merchant, Sharpe, White

Followers of Arcane and Mystic Arts would have known what happened at half time in this National Plate cup game between Ashford u-18’s and High Wycombe u-18’s.

Playing for a place in the last 8 and against a talented HW team that we were fortunate to draw with 2 weeks previous, it was a sorry bunch of junior Red-and-Blacks that trooped in for the team talk two goals down and having barely mounted one attack in the half.

Manager Gordo surveyed the wretched urchins and realised to his dismay there was only one thing to do – unleash the Words of Power!! Used by Big Amit last season against Milton Keynes and supposedly never to be repeated, Gordo murmured the words hoping that these innocents could survive the cosmic energies. An invisible coruscating wave of eldritch energy washed over the team and the crowd felt the aftershock - fortunately they were far enough away to avoid the effects.

Off the team went in a daze and it was obvious that things had changed – they started to maintain possession, make inroads into the HW half and gained confidence as the initial minutes ticked by. After 10 minutes, we got a goal back from close range by debutant David Merchant but immediately conceded a short corner and a third, followed by another for us, Sharpy running unchallenged into the D to reverse-strike home – 0-2 to 2-3 in 5 minutes!!

We looked the stronger team but their keeper made one fantastic save in particular to keep them in front and it looked like our chance had gone until in the last minute we forced a short corner and this was drag-flicked in off the cross bar by Shane White to whoops of Red-and-Black delight.

Straight to flicks and the one thing I can advise them on, not sure they took too much notice of me but we were less bad than they were and James Wheeler did very well to save their first flick. Podge, Sharpy, Prince and JLo scored and the last HW lad unfortunately for him fluffed it for us to progress.

All in all, fortunate to get through but we are through and need to perform more consistently to advance further. We have been drawn at home against Essex outfit Harlow on 6 April 14:00 pushback – should be a cracker!!!

I am very pleased to announce that Councillor Marion Rough has forwarded Ashford Hockey Club a cheque from the Concil’s “Better Neighbourhoods Grant Scheme”.  The scheme aims to help the Council work better with the local community and improve well-being for residents at the same time.  Each Borough Councillor has a small fund, which they can allocate to projects in order to improve quality of life in their ward.

We have been in discussion with Councillor Rough (who played the odd game Ashford Ladies in times gone by), and we will be spending the money to purchase two new trophies for the Colts Section, namely the Council Cup and Spelthorne Sheild.  The Colts Committee are currently deciding what the trophies will be awarded for each season and they hope to present them to the first recipients at the forthcoming Colts Presentation evening, details of which will be announced shortly.

Our thanks go to both Councillor Marion Rough and Spelthorne Borough Council for their generous donation. 

AHC Colts had a good weekend away at the Richmond HC Tournamen, with the U9’s mixed winning their league games 4 - 2 against Wimbledon B, and second game 4 - 2 against Teddington B but unfotunately lost out in the final to a strong Teddington A side 3 - 0. Goal scorers Sam Betts and Robin Wheeler.

U11A boys side had a good win against Teddington B 3 - 0 and another against Richmond 2 - 0 but unfortunately lost out to Teddington A in the final 1 - 0. Goal scorers Gregg Smith, Luke Wheeler and Charlie TG.

Ul1B mixed side did really well putting up a good fight in their leagues matches and a good performance all round.

Both the U9 mixed and U11 boys teams have played 10 mini matches this season and have won 9, drew 0 and lost 1. The final’s this weekend were the first defeats for both teams all season.

Managers/Coaches Jakki Wheeler and Sam Clarey are really pleased with how all the Colts are performing.