Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

Ashford Ladies 1st XI returned to league hockey with a 2-3 away victory against Hendon and Mill Hill on Sat 21st January.

Ashford started off with great enthusiasm and it paid off within two mins as neat passing between the new partnership of Lucy Uttley and Nicky Benedict up front led Nicky into netting her first goal.

Ashford continued to hold possession with great distribution from midfielders Claire Emmerton and Emma Hynes feeding to Rasna Sandhu who had some great runs down the right.

Ashford’s second goal came from fantastic linking play between Jacqui Bashford, Kim Downs and Lucy Uttley who slipped to Nicky Benedict for her to score her second goal.

Hendon and Mill Hill had a few chances but were tharwted by outstanding saves from GK Sam Grant which led to the score remaining 2-0 at half time.

The second half saw the oppo come out strong and secure a short corner. Their well worked routine saw the ball hammered onto the black board.

Ashford hit straight back following a slick move from Kim Downs to Jacqui Bashford who fed the ball to striker Lucy who skilfully beat two defenders and reverse sticked the ball into the net.

Ashford were unfortunate to let a Hendon And Mill Hill player slip through unmarked to score another goal for the oppo.

With Kath Evans making her debut along with regular defenders Sophie Smart, Kim Fry and Tracey Holland, Ashford tightened up in defence and deservedly held onto their 3-2 win.

Team: Sam Grant, Sophie Smith, Kim Fry, Tracey Holland, Kath Evans, Claire Emmerton, Emma Hynes, Jacqui Bashford, Nicky Benedict, Rasna Sandhu, Lucy Uttley, Kim Downs,

Ladies hockey Saturday 21.1.12
The Ladies 3’s game today was conceded by the opposition, so they had a 2-0 walkover and the three points keep them in 4th place. The ever keen 3’s squad decided to meet up at Short Lane to practice instead and coaches Bubbles and Mark Appleton turned up to put them through some drills. . Pleased to report that the 1’s won 3-2 away and scored in the 2nd minute (well done Nicky Benedict) and move up to 5th place in the Premier division. The 2’s were held to a 0-0 draw at home despite the opposition only having ten players, but still remain in 4th position. The full results were:

1st XI beat Hendon & Mill Hill 1st XI 3-2 (away)

2nd XI drew with Hendon & Mill Hill 2nd XI 0-0 (home)

Funnily enough, the two men’s games played at Short Lane were also 0-0 draws which is very unusual for our pitch/teams!

Saturday 7/1/12 Ashford 1st XI 1 v Sunbury, Walton & Weybridge Hawks 1st XI 1

Full of New Year enthusiasm after the inevitable excesses of Christmas, Ashford ladies 1’s faced Sunbury at home in a friendly on Saturday. With only 11 available players and having to call up last minute replacement GK Sarah Jacob, Ashford started slowly against a strong Sunbury side before gaining their composure.
Ashford’s changed but experienced defensive line-up of Kim Fry, Emma Hynes, Tracey Holland and Wendy Baker were tested early on by the speed of the Sunbury forwards, but held firm as a result of strong tackles and close marking. Keeper Jacob’s kept the score at 0-0 when she nonchalantly shrugged a powerful shot over the goal with her shoulder!

Good linking play between the defence and midfield unit of Rasna Sandhu, Nicky Bennedict, Clare Emmerton and Jacqui Bashford helped Ashford get back into the game, creating opportunities for the forwards Maria Cavila and Lynne Morgan to run onto balls and put the Sunbury defence under pressure. As a result short corners were won but Ashford were unable to make their chances count. Sunbury took a 1-0 lead into half time when they took a quick long corner, drove into the D and a strong shot a goal just beat the keeper.

Sunbury came out strong in the second half pushing players forward forcing Ashford to re-group and work hard at man-marking which was successful as they were unable to make the pressure and possession tell.

Again Jacob’s kept Ashford in the game when a Sunbury shot from the top of the D was tipped over with her left hand. Ashford then managed to take possession of the ball and create chances of their own. They had further short corner chances but Sunbury’s keeper kept the shots out.
Then Ashford demonstrated a classic passing move that started from Holland in defence to Benedict onto Sandhu back to Benedict slipping the ball to Cavilla who drove down the line and crossed the ball into the D onto the waiting stick of Bashford whose strong touch took the ball past the keeper to equalise.
With only minutes go Ashford kept out further Sunbury chances so that the game finished 1-1, a pleasing result and even more pleasing periods of good play. Man of the match was unanimously awarded to keeper Sarah Jacob. Thanks are also due to umpires John hillman (AHC) and Ian Howe (SWWH).

AHC: S. Jacobs, K. Fry, T. Holland, E. Hynes, W. Baker, R. Sandhu, N Bennedict, C. Emmerton, J. Bashford (Captain), M. Cavilla, L. Morgan

Report written by Jacqui Bashford

Besides the league fixtures already confirmed for the Men and the ladies 3rd team this coming Saturday 14/1/12, there is now an additional fixture at 10.30am at Short Lane, between the Ladies 2nd team and Southgate Ladies 4th team. This is a reaarranged league fixture from before Christmas. There may also be a Ladies 1st team friendly at 3pm at home, but this has yet to be confirmed. Come on U Red & Blacks.

Apologies that we haven’t been able to update the website, but there are the following friendly and two rearranged Men’s League fixtures this coming weekend. Sorry, I haven’t got push back times for the Men’s games, but they are all afternoon matches:

Home Games
Ladies 1st XI v Sunbury, Walton & Weybridge Hawks 1st XI at Short Lane at 1.30pm

Away Games
Winchmore Hill & Enfield 2nd XI v Ladies 2nd XI at 1.30pm

Epsom 1st XI v Men’s 1st XI

West Hampstead 6th XI v Men’s 3rd XI at 2.30pm (League)

Leighton Buzzard Fledings v Men’s 4th XI (League)

Good luck all.

The Xmas newsletter 2011 has recently been sent out to members via e-mail and it contains all the latest AHC news, information from Ashford (Short Lane) Sports, Ashford Antiques gossip and the league tables for all teams at the half way stage of the season and lots of other articles. Please contact me president@ashfordhockeyclub.co.uk if you haven’t recieved a copy and we hope to have a copy linked to the website soon.

Sat 10th Dec, Ladies 1s 1 – Hampstead & Westminster 3s 7

Top of the table H& W 3rd team were a very fit, organised and workman like side. The effects of Ashford Ladies Christmas bash in Soiree the night before perhaps affected a few of the red and black players and we were 2-0 down in 8 mins having actually conceded a goal after only 1 minute, to have it thankfully disallowed! The opposition dominated play though and were 6-0 up by half time. Ashford won some short corners, but only had one direct shot, a good strike that went just wide by Jackie ‘Yip Yip’ Parsons. At this stage the score wasn’t reflecting the efforts of the team: Skipper Lucy Uttley tried to boost things when she came on, but the oppo read her game well and whilst Nicky Benedict had some constructive runs, none resulted in shots on goal. Rasna Sandhu played constructively and Tracey ‘Luvvy’ Holland did well despite being weak with flu for most of the week. The injured Club Captain Emma Hynes was missed, though could be heard on the sideline with AHC President Lynne Morgan.

Ashford regrouped at half time and played a lot better in the second 35 minutes and prompted by Jackie Parsons at the back got some good moves going. One flowing move on the right by Rasna and Lucy set up Maria Cavilla, but without the desired results. However, we did eventually score when Maria was put through and she fired home well. At this point, Ashford had held back attacks from H&W and they failed to increase their tally. Howver, near the end Lucy did a bad tackle as a forward was about to shoot resulting in a yellow card and a penalty flick for the opposition, which they converted.
The oppo were a nice lot, despite one of them got a yellow card for being 5 yds back. Sam got PoM, as she was in amongst the action most of the time. Lucy was ’Dick of the Day’ for her yellow card. They missed the injured Emma.

Plans have been finalised so….

FRIDAY 9TH DECEMBER

Ashford Ladies are obvioulsy classy ladies so get you party frocks and celebrate Christmas in style at Soiree (did you like my little play on words in the title?!)

TIME: 8pm at Soiree or maybe a bit earlier for a cheeky one somewhere before? Food served at 8.30pm
PLACE: Soiree, Staines (just up from pizza express, before roshni’s)
DRESS CODE: Dress to Impress!! (think people are thinking dresses/similar to last year!)
COST: £20 to include own area with delicious buffett including hot and cold selection, disco and dancing the night away!

I know its not far away, so need to know numbers pretty quickly, and £10 deposit asap. If you definately want to come, but not going to be at club to pay deposit before the 9th Dec, just let me know!

The more the merrier and if you want to bring a friend thats great, just let me know for numbers!

Please can you give your deposits to captains on sat (or let them know you definately want to come)

Thanks
Em

Sat 12th Nov, Ladies 1s 4-0 Eastcote

Ashford ladies 1’s faced Eastcote 2’s on Saturday anxious to get there first win of the season. With a team of 14 and a return to a formation that proved effective last season hopes were high. Ashford dominated play from the whistle, passing effectively through the midfield and creating opportunities for forward Maria Cavilla to run at the Eastcote defence. With ten minutes gone captain Lucy Uttley picked up the ball in midfield and drove down the left slipping the ball to Maria who took it past the Eastcote goalkeeper to put Ashford 1-0 up.
Eastcote came back strongly but Ashford’s experienced defence of Kim Fry, Tracey Holland and Sophie Smart, together with returning sweeper Jackie Parsons kept them from creating any chances. Once again the midfield unit linked well, with Clare Emmerton and Nicky Benedict creating more chances for the forwards to put pressure on the Eastcote defence. With the end of the first half drawing near Jacqui Bashford drove the ball down the right and into the D forcing a short corner. After failing play the ball to a team-mate at the first short corner Bashford took the short option to Maria whose shot at goal hit an Eastcote foot. Short corner number two went to Jackie Parsons and once again the ball came off a foot, as the whistle went for half time Ashford were awarded a 3rd. This time Ashford all pushed up to ensure the ball didn’t leave the D without an attempt on goal. The corner ended up on the stick of Club captain Emma Hynes whose clean and powerful strike lead to her first goal and Ashford taking a 2-0 lead into the second half.
As Ashford expected Eastcote come out strongly in the second half creating scoring opportunities, keeper Sam Grant maintaining Ashford’s lead with some fine saves. Coach Jeremy Clarke rotated players to keep fresh legs on the pitch, Elize Browne slotted into a defensive role she is relishing playing and Kim Downs proved to be a threat in and around the D in attack. Ashford increased pressure on Eastcote when Lucy Uttley beat both their midfield and defensive units to switch the ball selflessly through to Maria to put away. At 3-0 up Ashford’s confidence grew and they found themselves “double teaming” the Eastcote players successfully dispossessing them on numerous occasions. Ashford then enjoyed a sequence of play that can only be described as sublime! The ball was played from Fry to Bashford across to Hynes who forced the ball to the far left of the pitch onto the ever running player of the match Emmerton who laid the ball quite perfectly on the stick of Uttley to put away quite superbly. A result of 4-0 to Ashford was a fitting end to an all round strong performance from the team.
Next week sees Ashford facing newly promoted Aces away.

Ashford Ladies 1s League – Home vs Mill Hill, drew 1-1 (Maria Cavilla)

Saturday saw Ashford ladies 1′s face (at the start of the day) league leaders Winchmore Hill and Enfield 1′s. A change to the line up saw Maria Cavalia start up front with Captain Lucy Uttley with Kim Downs playing in the left midfield role. It was also a case of half term “itus” as a number of the team were struggling with various bugs and aches and pains!

Ashford had memories of a bad loss against this team last season, so were determined to play far better. With Jacqui Bashford and Nicky Benedict intending to mark tightly in midfield and a strong back four of Wendy Baker, Kim Fry, Emma Hynes and Sophie Smart, Ashford started the game well. With the push back Maria drove forward and put Hill under pressure. Ashford earned a short corner early on that lead straight to another but the Hill defense cleared. They coped well with the Ashford pressure and passed the ball effectively producing attacking opportunities themselves that resulted in great saves from keeper Sam Grant.

Youngster Rasna Sandhu linked well in midfield, creating more attacking play, with Elize Brown coming on to the forward line. Ashford were forced to absorb a lot of pressure from Hill’s right side of the pitch, but kept them out. Half time saw the score remain at 0-0.

Early on in the second half Ashford conceded a somewhat frustrating goal, with all our team “freeze” when we hoped we had heard a whistle for a Hill foul in the D only for the oppo to play on a put the ball away! Lucy Uttley moved into left midfield and link well with Maria up front but even though Ashford earned a number of shorts and created chances Hill held firm.
Finally with only minutes to go Ashford forced another short corner that Maria converted. Ashford were delighted and with strong defensive play from Tracey Holland and man of the match Kim Fry held onto the 1-1 draw, celebrating much to Hill’s frustration at the end of the game.

Next week sees the half term break, so Ashford are back in action on 5th Nov away to Hampstead and Westminster 4′s.

Whilst the times against fixtures seem to have a bug, here’s the times for you as per the latests fixture sheet I have…but please, do check in with captains and let them know your availability…just in case there’s been another update!

SAT 22nd OCTOBER – also PLACE YOUR BETS SOCIAL from 7pm
ladies 1s vs Winchmore Hill HOME at 10.30
Men’s 1s vs Wallingford HOME at 12
ladies 3s vs PHC CHiswick HOME at 1.30
Men’s 5s vs Marlow HOME at 3
Men’s 2s vs Gerrards Cross AWAY at 12
Men’s 4s vs Oxford AWAY at 2.30
Ladies 2s vs Eastcote AWAY at 3

SAT OCT 29th
Ladies 3s vs Hendon & Mill Hill HOME at 12
Mens’s 2s vs Maidenhead HOME at 1.30
Men’s 4s vs Oxford Hawks HOME at 3
Men’s 1s vs Oxford AWAY at 1
Men’s 3s vs Phoenix & Ranlagh AWY at 2.30

For the second week running Ashford earned a hard fought draw, but the win was what we were after!

With a change to the strike force, the forward line saw Jackie Parsons teaming up with Captain Lucy Uttley. Ashford made the best possible start….After 5mins Nicky Benedict drove down the right, playing a powerful ball into the D that beat the Staines defenders leaving Lucy to put away on her reverse stick side. Yes, just what we had planned to do 

Then followed a series of short corners, both sides had strikes that produced great keeping from both the Ashford and Staines Gk’s. Staines mounted further pressure on Ashford but strong defending from man of the match Sophie Smart, Kim Fry and Tracey Holland, with further saves from keeper Sam Grant kept Staines out. We saw the return of half marathon queen Wendy Baker to the team, coming on to help the midfield stay firm from the pressure Staines were exerting.

Ashford then produced some exciting attacking play, Lucy having a shot cleared off the line and Clare Emmerton narrowly missing too. Staines forced a short corner at which club captain Emma Hynes ran out to clear only to get hit on the foot which forced her off the pitch. We won’t talk about where else poor Emma got hit, but I’m sure she’ll show off her bruise on Saturday!?

Ashford held onto the 1-0 lead at half time and started the second half strongly with Jackie Parsons striking only to be saved again by the Staines keeper once again. Rasna Sanhdu continues to develop her confidence as a 1’s player on the right side and held her own against some aggressive Staines play.

Staines then put the pressure on Ashford and finally broke through the defence to equalise. However Ashford came straight back with Kim Downs narrowly missing, then Jacqui Bashford forced her way down the right and into the D to cross to Lucy who fired home.

With only 10 minutes to go Staines managed to equalise and then it Ashford did their best to steal the win, but to no avail so the final score ended up 2-2. A fair result overall?

Ashford face top of the table Winchmore Hill and Enfield 1’s on Saturday, so come on you REDS!

We’re doing our first shopping event this week! With some exciting options for us….so bring a friend, grab a drink from the bar, and have a mooch whilst gossiping.

7.30pm to 10.30pm on Thursday 13th October

Come and peruse and purchase the following:

Jewellery from Stella & Dot
Kitchenware from Jamie at Home
Lingerie from Bluebella
Beauty from Avon
Cards from Phoenix Trading
Jewellery from Amber Designs
Scarves & Accessories from Moosbags

Ladies 1/2s Home to Brunel University, won 3-0

Ashford Ladies opened their preseason games with a 1/2s squad facing the students from Brunel University. In the midst of University ladies was home grown talent Kelly Taylor! But we moved on the game. Ashford dominated the first half, with Nicky Benedict, Clare Emmerton and Club Captain Emma Hynes controlling the midfield, and Sophie Smart, Tracey Holland and Captain Jacqui Bashford (returning from injury) easily repelling the few student attacks that did make it through the midfield. However, with Maria Cavilla back from a season out with injury, Ashford were in charge up front, with positive play from Gillian Clegg and youngster Rasna sending them into half time 2-0 up. Brunel’s coach clearly had words in the half time talk, and they reemerged more determimed and came back in to the game, creating chances which Ashford kept out thanks to young Chris Taylor standing in to help out the ladies at the last minute. Not much sibling rivalry there Ashford went on to win a number of short corners, but on this occaision failed to convert them. There were a few more near misses from the Ashford forwards before Cavilla clinched the game with her hat trick goal.