Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

AHC is hoping to register itself in the England Hockey initiative shown above, by inviting any Ladies who used to play and are interested in returning to hockey, to come along to the first hour (7.30-8.30 pm) of Ladies winter Wednesday training sessions during September (7th, 14th, 21st, 28th) and 5th & 12th October. If you know anyone who maybe interested please bring them along or let Emma Hynes or myself know and we will contact them. They just need to turn up in sports kit and trainers, we can supply a stick.

The AHC pre-season Newsletter has been e-mailed/posted out to all paid up members today. Or view it on line here. Pre-season Newsletter;
Hard copies are also available at the Clubhouse. Men’s, Ladies and Colts midweek winter training dates are contained in the latest, 6 page edition of ‘Read & Black’, details of the forthcoming Club Day on 3/9/11, along with all the other latest and other Club information. Please contact your team captain, the Men’s and Ladies Club Captain or pressofficer@ashfordhockeyclub.co.uk for further details.

‘Ashford will be kicking off the 2011-2012 season with our club day tournament on Saturday 3rd September. Meeting at 1pm for registration, we’ll be holding a mixed team, mixed ability tournament! Exact team size dependent upon numbers, but usually around 6-7 aside playing on half a pitch…a more gentle reintroduction into the game . Games should start at 1.30pm. Alongside the tournament, we’ll also be hoping for sunshine as we get out the BBQ and to have some social beers. If you are definitely able to make it or are hoping to, please let us know to aid catering. Should you know someone interested in playing hockey for Ashford, this is a great chance to come and meet us…so bring them along! Hope to see you there, Hynes, Lucy, Wendy & Cole’.

Ladies informal, I hour weekly, pre-season fitness training for the 2011/12 season started on Wednesday 3rd August. It will continue every Wednesday starting at 8pm and it mainly involves some gentle hockey related exercise drills on the hard play area. All existing and new members are very welcome and of course it is followed by a drink and chat afterwards. Come on down if you can.

Ladies League Hockey 19/3/11
Middlesex Premier
WEST HAMPSTEAD 2nd XI 0 v ASHFORD 1st XI 6
For their last game of the season, Ashford Ladies were able to take their full squad to Brent Cross on Saturday to face West Hampstead 2nd team, in a game Ashford needed to win to ensure they finished out of the relegation zone. The morning start and sunny weather seemed to suit the Red & Blacks as they attacked from the start. Firstly NICKY BENEDICT made a good attack on goal, followed shortly after by a similar mazy run and shot by KELLY TAYLOR. The Ashford forwards were really linking well and CLAIRE EMMERTON and NICKY BENEDICT were involved in another good flowing Ashford move. The Red & Blacks pressure resulted in a goal not long after when good midfield play saw KELLY TAYLOR opening the scoring. The home team retaliated with some of their own sweeping moves, but no real threats on goal resulted. Ashford then extended their lead when youngsters LUCY UTTLEY and KELLY TAYLOR combined well for KELLY to hit home her, and Ashford’s second goal of the game. Midway through the half the hard working NICKY BENEDICT went over on her right ankle and wasn’t able to take any further part in the game. KIM DOWNS came on to replace her and she was soon involved in a good move with the versatile WENDY BAKER which resulted in Ashford gaining a penalty corner. Although it wasn’t converted, another corner followed shortly after and an interchange of passes between KELLY TAYLOR and LUCY UTTLEY saw the latter getting her first, and Ashford’s third, goal of the game. The Red & Blacks scored another shortly after, when a good defence splitting ball by WENDY BAKER put KELLY TAYLOR through, and she slipped the ball through to LUCY UTTLEY, who slotted the ball home to give Ashford a fairly unassailable 4-0 lead. Just before the break, an Ashford defender rather harshly received a yellow card for a somewhat innocuous foul and so the Red & Blacks played the last few minutes of the first half with only ten players.

The second half started off in rather a messy fashion with a lot of free hits being awarded to both sides. Once the Red & blacks were back to their full complement of players though, the game settled down a little, only for one of the West Hampstead players to get a nasty hit on the leg inflicted by one of her own team mates. Ashford then lost stalwart full back SOPHIE SMART who was suffering with a knee injury, and she was replaced by Kiwi KIM FRY. Ashford continued to attack and a good run by CLAIRE EMMERTON saw her shoot just wide. Shortly after another decisive through ball by WENDY BAKER put LUCY UTTLEY clear and LUCY dully completed her hat trick with a fine shot, to put the Red & Blacks 5-0 ahead. The home team fought back though and pressurised Ashford’s defence with some good moves, but they remained firm under attack, and the home team remained goalless. With ten minutes of the game remaining WENDY BAKER again linked well with LUCY UTTLEY, who scored her fourth and the Red & Blacks sixth, goal of the game. No further goals were scored despite the home team efforts, and so Ashford finished off their season with a fine 6-0 win in the sun. Coach JEREMY CLARKE was pleased with the style of the Red & Blacks victory in what was Kiwi HOLLY BUSBY’S last first team game for the Club, as she is returning down under in the summer. Not surprisingly four goal girl LUCY UTTLEY was voted player of the match. Ashford’s win saw them finished seventh out of the ten teams in the Premier league and clear of the relegation spots, after struggling for a while in the second part of the season. They will be aiming to finish higher next season, but can look back with some satisfaction with this, their last game of the season
Team: S. Grant (GK), P. Worsfold (Skipper), S. Smart, E. Hynes, J. Bashford , W. Baker, K. Downs, H. Busby, L. Uttley, K. Fry, N. Benedict, C. Emmerton, K. Taylor, P.Shoebridge,

Ladies League Hockey 12/3/11
Middlesex Premier

HAMPSTEAD & WESTMINSTER 4th XI 3 v ASHFORD 1st XI 1
Ashford had to travel to Paddington for their penultimate league game of the season on Saturday, where they faced fourth in the league side Hampstead & Westminster 4th XI. Injuries and unavailability left Ashford Coach JEREMY CLARKE with only eleven regular squad players to chose from and so HANNAH’S STOKES and GALLAGHER were taken along after their second team game as bench players. In addition, stalwart defender SOPHIE SMART was feeling unwell, but stoutly took the field to play, whilst EMMA HYNES amongst others, played despite carrying an injury. On the recently re laid water based pitch both teams had a few problems with the slightly bouncy surface and play in the first fifteen minutes was fairly muted and even. The home team then started to up their pace and following a run down the right, they opened the scoring with a strike from just inside the circle. A second goal for the home team followed not long after when Ashford rather tamely allowed their forwards to run through. Further attacks followed and Red & Blacks defender KIM FRY managed to stop a third goal when she cleared the ball of the goal line, with the Ashford keeper SAM GRANT well beaten. The Red & Blacks then had a few attacks of their own and secured several short corners, but were unable to convert any. A nasty finger injury to full back KIM FRY caused her to leave the field and HANNAH GALLAGHER came onto replace her. A few good runs by LUCY UTTLEY gave the Red & Blacks encouragement, but they weren’t able to find the back of the net and the score remained at 2-0 to the home side until half time.
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The second half followed a similar pattern to the first and despite a lot of hard work by Ashford midfielders WENDY BAKER, EMMA HYNES and NICKY BENEDICT, they were unable to spark Ashford into top gear. Although she had done her best, Ashford full back SOPHIE SMART had to come off due to sickness and with her damaged finger strapped up Kiwi KIM FRY bravely came back onto replace SOPHIE. To add to the Ashford woes, shortly after the hard running midfielder JACQUI BASHFORD tweaked a hamstring and also had to go off so HANNAH STOKES was also thrown into the fray and she nearly scored from close in by the left post. The Red & Blacks nearly opened their goal tally not long after when HOLLY BUSBY had a good strike from a short corner. However, another good move by the home team saw them score a third and once again not long after, KIM FRY cleared off the goal line once more to prevent another goal for the home team. The battle worn Red & Blacks didn’t give up though and a good link move between KIM DOWNS and LUCY UTTLEY saw the latter hit the ball home from an acute angle to make the score 3-1 to Hampstead and Westminster. The goal lifted Ashford’s spirits and they tried to get another but time and their energy ran out and the game was lost by three goals to one. WENDY BAKER was deservedly the Red & Blacks player of the match.

Next week for their last league game of the season, Ashford travel north again, this time it is to Brent Cross to play West Hampstead second team. Ashford will be hoping that some of the injured players will have recovered sufficiently have to play against the team one place below the Red & Blacks, and whom they beat 4-0 in the opposite fixture before Christmas.

Team: S. Grant (GK), P. Worsfold (Skipper), S. Smart, E. Hynes, J. Bashford , W. Baker, K. Downs, H. Busby, L. Uttley, K. Fry, N. Benedict, H. Stokes (bench0, H. Gallagher (bench),

Ladies League Hockey 5/3/11
Middlesex Premier
ASHFORD 1st XI 1 v PHC CHISWICK 1st XI 3
After a one week break away from league action, Ashford Ladies first team were at home to the League leaders PHC Chiswick 1st, who are undefeated so far this season on Saturday. Once again Ashford were without a few of their regular squad players, and with the second team having a vital relegation game to play, versatile forward KIM DOWNS again bravely donned the goalkeeping gear and stood between the sticks for the Red & Blacks. Although Coach JEREMY CLARKE had Skipper PHIL WORSFOLD returning to action, along with regulars LUCY UTTLEY, CLAIRE EMMERTON and SOPHIE SMART, he also brought in the ever improving youngster RASNA SANDHU to bench for the team and have her first, short taste of Premier League hockey. In cold conditions, the Red & Blacks started well and took the game to the League leaders, by playing some decisive, attacking hockey and after fifteen minutes of play they deservedly won a short corner. Using one of their many practiced routines, JACQUI BASHFORD, HOLLY BUSBY and LUCY UTTLEY combined well to enable LUCY to slot the ball home and put Ashford deservedly 1-0 ahead. The goal seemed to spur the opposition in to action and they hit back with numerous attacks on the Ashford goal. Stand in Red & Blacks keeper KIM DOWNS coped well though and in fact Ashford went close again following another short corner, which saw EMMA HYNES shot saved. Shortly after following more pressure from the visitors, a brilliant stop on the line by the ever reliable Ashford full back WENDY BAKER helped to keep Ashford just ahead. However, further pressure from PHC Chiswick saw them equalise with a hard shot from a short corner. The fine hockey continued to flow from end to end until half time, with the score remaining at one goal apiece.

After the turn round, the Red & Blacks remained resolute in defence against some fine early attacking play from the visitors. Ashford also penetrated the visitors half though and looked to score a second with a strong run from KELLY TAYLOR down the right, but no shot or goal resulted. PHC Chiswick hit back almost immediately and scored a second goal following a bit of a muddle in the Ashford goalmouth. Once again Ashford attempted to equalise, when a good cross from EMMA HYNES went menacingly across the visitor’s goalmouth, but wasn’t converted. Both sides continued to press and play constructive hockey as the game flowed from end to end. Ten minutes from the end, the visitors struck again following a good break down the right flank and strong cross, which was well struck home by an incoming forward on the left, to take a slightly undeserved 3-1 lead. The Red & Blacks still strived to get back into the game and some good runs by LUCY UTTLEY threatened the PHC Chiswick defence, but despite all the very creditable Ashford efforts the final score remained at 3-1 to the League leaders.

KIM DOWNS was voted player of the match for another heroic performance in goal, and the result leaves Ashford in seventh place and with two matches remaining, they are still hopeful of finishing in fifth position. Next week for their penultimate game of the season, Ashford travel to Paddington to face fourth placed Hampstead & Westminster fourth team, and the Red & Blacks will be looking to avenge the heavy defeat they suffered in the reverse fixture last December.

Team: K Downs (GK), P. Worsfold (Skipper), S. Smart, E. Hynes, J. Bashford , W. Baker, P. Shoebridge, H. Busby, L. Uttley, K. Fry, K. Taylor, C. Emmerton, R. Sandhu

Ladies League Hockey 19/2/11
Middlesex Premier

WINCHMORE HILL & ENFIELD 1st XI 7 v ASHFORD 1st XI 0

It was a much changed Ashford Ladies first team squad who travelled to north London to face Winchmore Hill & Enfield 1st team on Saturday. The Red & Blacks had for various reasons five players missing from last week’s squad and two of the regulars were carrying niggling injuries, but bravely turned out. Regular keeper SAM GRANT returned after injury and second team players GILLIAN CLEGG and KAREN FOWLER were called up, the latter making her first team debut and MEL CARRIER made only her second appearance of the season, In addition, due to work commitments, coach JEREMY CLARKE was also absent and injured Skipper PHIL WORSFOLD took charge from the sidelines in his absence. In wet, grey conditions, the Red & Blacks initially combined well and attacked the Winchmore Hill & Enfield goal in the opening minutes of the game, but the good cross from the flank was not converted. The home team then showed how it was done when they combined well through the midfield and forwards and opened the scoring with a hard shot a few minutes later. The goal boosted the confidence of the home team and they were all getting to the ball a little quicker than a rather lethargic looking Ashford. Another swift move saw an excellent, defence splitting cross from the right from Winchmore somehow being missed by their two free forwards who were positioned in front of the Ashford goal. They swiftly corrected their errors though when they scored another well worked goal to go 2-0 up. As the Red & Blacks tried to get out of their own half, another home team attack was only thwarted when the ball broke in half. This seemed to spur Ashford on and they attacked the Winchmore goalmouth and secured their first short corner of the game. The new routine saw a good combination between injector JACQUI BASHFORD and EMMA HYNES to set up HOLLY BUSBY, but she was unable to get a good shot in. Once again the home team took control and showed some neat first touches on the ball and fast swift play, combined with another excellent cross from the right, was once again missed by the waiting forwards. As before, they followed it up with another well worked goal to go three nil up. Ashford then rearranged their defence and all stuck to their tasks as best they could, with goalkeeper SAM GRANT playing well under all the pressure.

The second half saw Ashford being dominated from the start and although defenders HOLLY BUSBY and WENDY BAKER amongst others worked hard, the home team were now well on top and in control. A fourth goal soon came, when the Ashford keeper SAM GRANT saved well from a short corner, but a Winchmore forward followed up quickly and flicked the ball into the net. Their fifth goal came shortly after following some more swift play. Ashford’s confidence was now down and with NICKY BENEDICT struggling with her injury the midfield was not functioning fully. The Red & Blacks did however get down into the home team’s goalmouth and JACQUI BASHFORD got a shot on goal. Winchmore then once more swopped on the Ashford defence and their solid, fast play saw them get a sixth goal. As the Red & Blacks tired, the home team got probably their best goal of the game when they exchanged passes unselfishly in the Ashford half and goalmouth to score their seventh and last goal. The Red & Blacks now have to put this game out of their minds and with no league game next week, they have two training sessions to get things right for their three remaining league games of the season.

Next week Ashford
Team: S. Grant (GK), K. Fowler, E. Hynes, J. Bashford (Skipper), W. Baker, P. Shoebridge, N. Benedict, H. Busby, K. Downs, K. Taylor, G. Clegg, M. Carrier, L. Morgan

Ladies League Hockey 12/2/11
Middlesex Premier
ASHFORD 1st XI 2 v STAINES 3rd XI 2
Sunshine greeted both teams for the local derby between Ashford Ladies first team and Staines third’s at Short Lane on Saturday. Once again the Red & Blacks had to make changes as regular goalkeeper SAM GRANT was still injured, and with the Ashford two’s having an important relegation game, outfield player and part time goalkeeper, KIM DOWNS bravely donned the pads, kickers and helmet. Regular squad players POLLY SHOEBRIDGE, LUCY UTTLEY and KELLY TAYLOR returned to the squad, but skipper PHIL WORSFOLD was absent due to overseas business commitments. The start of the match was delayed due to the men’s game before it, and it was the visitors Staines who started a lot the better of the two teams. They put the Red & Blacks defence under pressure from the start and obtained a short corner within the first two minutes of play. Ashford kept them at bay though when WENDY BAKER deflected one shot by the near post whilst deputy goalkeeper KIM DOWNS did well to smother the visitors other shots on goal. KIM also delivered some good, strong clearance kicks. After the early pressure by Staines, Ashford exerted some of their own and a good run by the ever dangerous LUCY UTTLEY, saw her shot go across the face of the Staines goal. Evergreen Red & Blacks forward JACKIE PARSONS also harassed the visitor’s defence and secured a couple of short corners, but none were converted as Ashford still weren’t really firing on all cylinders. Another Staines attack resulted in one of their forwards having a contretemp with an Ashford defender on the edge of the Red & Blacks circle. Some pushing and shoving followed and as result, both players were shown a yellow card and banished to the sidelines for 10-20 minutes cooling off period.

The sending offs changed the nature of the game and although NICKY BENEDICT went close for Ashford, the scoring was opened by Staines following a good run on the right. A straight strike from another short corner not long after saw the visitors go further ahead by 2 goals to 0. As both sides returned to a full complement of players before half time, Ashford secured another short corner, but were unable to find their true rhythm or the flowing team work of the previous few league games and went into the break two goals down.

Not surprisingly, Coach JEREMY CARTER gave the Ashford squad a strong talking to at half time and they came out a lot more determined in the second half. Despite playing better, the Red & Blacks were not able to penetrate the solid Staines defence in the third quarter of the game. They kept at it though and eventually JACKIE PARSONS was able to find the back of the net and pull back the score to 1-2. Further Ashford pressure saw a Staines foot stopping an Ashford shot on the line and sweeper HOLLY BUSBY confidently strode up to convert it to make the scores even at 2-2. The Red & Blacks were now well into their stride and a similar incident in the Staines goalmouth a few minutes later, saw the Red & Blacks being awarded a second penalty flick. Once again Kiwi HOLLY BUSBY took it, but this time she was unable to get as much force into her flick and the veteran Staines keeper saved it. The game then rather petered out and the score remained at 2-2.

Next week Ashford have a long trip to North London to face Winchmore Hill & Enfield 1st XI, who are one place above the Red & Blacks in the league. It will be a tough game, with all to play for, as Ashford strives to move up to fourth place i.e. above their north London opposition.

Team: K. Downs (GK), S. Smart, E. Hynes, J. Bashford (Skipper), W. Baker, P. Shoebridge, N. Benedict, H. Busby, C.Emmerton, J. Parsons, K. Taylor, L. Uttley

Ladies League Hockey 5/2/11
Middlesex Premier
TEDDINGTON 3rd XI 0 v ASHFORD 1st XI 3
Ashford Ladies 1st team had another away game on Saturday, but it was only at close neighbours Teddington, where they faced Teddington 3rd team. For a great variety of reasons, at least five of the regular Red & Blacks normal first team squad were unavailable to play, and with the second team having a vital relegation away match, coach JEREMY CLARKE had no option but to rearrange things. Experienced players SARAH SYMES, JACKIE PARSONS and previously retired goalkeeper ALI BOXELL were brought in, and newcomer CHLOE RUSSELL brought up from the third team for her debut. In addition, former Ashford regular from several seasons ago, MEL CARRIER, was around to put in a rare, but very welcome, Ashford appearance. The forced changes did not seem to upset the other regular squad players though and the Red & Blacks started brightly from the start and took control of the game from the midfield. Stalwart EMMA HYNES was combining well with her other new midfield partners, MEL CARRIER and SARAH SYMES to create many chances for the Ashford front line. The effervescent NICKY BENEDICT was busy and thrust full as ever down the left flank, and both NICKY and front runner CLAIRE EMMERTON had chances to open the scoring in the first quarter of the game, but none were converted. Not surprisingly the Red & Blacks pressure resulted in them gaining several short corners and unfortunately initially the new routines didn’t work as well as previously. Ashford kept going though and veteran JACKIE PARSONS managed to slot the ball home cleverly from one, when she spotted that the Teddington goalkeeper had gone down early anticipating one of JACKIE’S thunderbolt strikes, and she neatly lifted the ball over her and into the net. The 1-0 lead boosted Ashford’s spirits and they continued to play good hockey until the interval.

After the change the Red & Blacks continued to cope with any attacks mounted by the young Teddington forward’s, with the ever reliable pair of SOPHIE SMART and HOLLY BUSBY thwarting any raids on the Ashford circle. Full back WENDY BAKER was also helping to stifle many of the Teddington attacking moves and helping to protect Ashford goalkeeper ALI BOXELL from any would be marauding home team forwards. Up front, newcomer CHLOE RUSSELL was brought on to run at the Teddington defence and help force home the Red & Blacks superiority. The continued Red & Blacks pressure eventually saw an EMMA HYNES strike rebound off the home team keeper and forward CLAIRE EMMERTON was on hand to pounce and put the ball home, and make the score 2-0 to Ashford. The hard working JACQUI BASHFORD then added a third to give Ashford a well deserved victory and three more league points. MEL CARRIER was voted player of the match for Ashford and the win moves the Red & Blacks back up to fifth place in the Premier league.

Next week Ashford have a local derby game, when they are at home at twelve noon, to local rivals Staines thirds, who are two places below them in the league. It should be an intriguing encounter with a lot of familiar faces and friendly rivals facing each other once again, in a League match with all to play for.

Team: A Boxell (GK), S. Smart, E. Hynes, J. Bashford (Skipper), W. Baker, S. Symes, N. Benedict, H. Busby, C.Emmerton, C. Russell, M. Carrier, J. Parsons

Ladies League Hockey 29/1/11
Middlesex Premier

HAMPSTEAD & WESTMINSTER 3rd XI 3 v ASHFORD 1st XI 0
Ashford Ladies first team travelled with almost a full squad to Paddington on Saturday to face second in the league side Hampstead & Westminster third’s. In bitterly cold lunch time conditions, the Red & Blacks struggled to cope with both the slightly bouncy water based, astro turf pitch and the very fit and skill full opposition; who were a much improved side to the one Ashford faced in the first part of the season. A well taken goal from open play saw Hampstead & Westminster take the lead fairly early in the game and midway through the first half, they added another via a reverse sweep goal to leave Ashford 2-0 down. The Red & Blacks had started to settle though and adapted well to the pitch and brought themselves much more into the game. Despite Ashford playing some good hockey, they were unable to find the back of the net even though they executed some well worked short corners and stronger moves in open play. They thus went into the interval trailing 2-0.

A very inspiring team talk by Ashford coach JEREMY CLARKE and a change of formation back to the diamond format in mid field saw the Red & Blacks come out and play much better in the second half. They started to control their game and the play a lot more, and a fine KIM DOWNS shot hit the post and unluckily bounced back into open play rather than into the back of the net. They gained a few more short corners, but they didn’t flow as smoothly as last week’s ones. The ever trying KIM DOWNS was the thwarted by the Hampstead & Westminster keeper when she was set free in a breakaway one to one situation. Ashford kept going as a team though, but a further good goal by the fit and fast home team from open play made the score a slightly unjustified 3-0. Ashford battled on gamely with player of the match HOLLY BUSBY and her fellow defenders sticking to their tasks and players well. The Ashford midfielders and strikers were also working hard to get an opening goal for the Red & Blacks to enable them to get back into the game. It was not to be though and the final score remained at 3-0 to Hampstead & Westminster, the defeat and other results in the league resulting in Ashford slipping down a place to sixth in the Premier league table.

The rub of the green seems against Ashford at the moment, and they were unlucky not to score at least two goals in the tough game. However, another good performance against a very strong Hampstead & Westminster team gave both the squad and coach JEREMY CLARKE confidence in the way the team are playing. Next week they have to travel to Teddington to face the Club’s third team who are two places below the Red & Blacks in the league. If the high standards of Saturday’s performance (especially in the second half) can be maintained, then a Ashford’s fifth league win of the season should be achievable.

Team: S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, P. Worsfold, E. Hynes, J. Bashford (Skipper), W. Baker, , N. Benedict, H. Busby, C.Emmerton, P. Shoebridge, K. Taylor, K. Downs, L. Uttley

Ladies League Hockey 22/1/11
Middlesex Premier

ASHFORD 1st XI 2 v SOUTHGATE 3rd XI 1
Ashford Ladies first team faced Southgate third’s for their first home League game of 2011. Kiwi Full back KIM FRY returned to the squad after her holiday down under, as did regular KELLY TAYLOR and veteran JACKIE PARSONS; whilst HANNAH GALLAGHER was given her first team debut on the bench after an injury to NICKY BENEDICT late in the week. Regulars KIM DOWNS and LUCY UTTLEY were also missing. The chilly Saturday lunch time weather didn’t dampen the Red & Blacks spirits and they started very brightly, with the team combining well, and JACKIE PARSONS causing the visitors problems up front. The pressure eventually saw Ashford gaining a short corner which was injected by JAQUI BASHFORD out to EMMA HYNES who took a shot at goal that was picked up and put in the net by KELLY TAYLOR on the right, to give the Red & Blacks the lead 1-0. Ashford remained in the driving seat for the next ten minutes or so and gained further short corners and were unlucky not to convert either of them, As the half drew to a close, the visitors made a few attacks of their own, but the Ashford back three of PHIL WORSFOLD, HOLLY BUSBY and SOPHIE SMART remained as solid as ever and thwarted all the Southgate attacks. Thus Ashford duly protected their 1-0 lead until the interval.

The second half started as spritely as the first, but it was the Southgate who started strongly this time and dominated play for the opening ten minutes or so. The Red & Blacks battled well though and some neat stick skills by JACKIE PARSONS saw them gain a short corner.
Ashford used another one of Coach JEREMY CLARKE’S well practised routines, with JACQUI BASHFOD injecting on the right to EMMA HYNES who pushed the ball back to JACQUI, who slotted the ball across to the incoming HOLLY BUSBY, who shot first time to notch Ashford’s second goal. The two goal lead encouraged the Red & Blacks and they played some good hockey with centre midfielder WENDY BAKER and midfielder KELLY TAYLOR amongst others who were combing well. Another short corner for Ashford saw HOLLY BUSBY go close with a fine shot. Southgate then played some good hockey of their own, and a flowing move was finished off with a goal following a strong shot that beat the Ashford keeper, and brought them right back into the game with score being 2-1 The Red & Blacks remained calm though and once more threatened the Southgate goal. Cracking shots by both JACKIE PARSONS and then EMMA HYNES were somehow kept at bay and cleared by the visitor’s goalkeeper and/or defenders, and so the score remained at 2-1 to Ashford.

Left midfielder EMMA HYNES was deservedly voted player of the match in what was a very solid performance by Ashford, and the three points gained moved them up to fifth place in the league. Next week the squad have to travel to Paddington to face Hampstead & Westminster third team who are currently second in the League. However, the Red & Blacks drew with them earlier in the season and on current form, there is no reason they shouldn’t be able to secure another victory and continue their progress up the league.

Team: S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, P. Worsfold, E. Hynes, J. Bashford (Skipper), W. Baker, K Fry, H. Gallagher, H. Busby, C.Emmerton, P. Shoebridge, K. Taylor, J Parsons

Ladies League Hockey 15/1/11
Middlesex Premier

HENDON & MILL HILL 1st XI 2 v ASHFORD 1st XI 1
Ashford Ladies 1st team had to travel to north London for their first league game of 2011, to face Hendon & Mill Hill 1st XI. Ashford coach JEREMY CLARKE gave a first team debut to relative Club newcomer CLAIRE EMMERTON, whilst University student ANNA PROTHEROE was able to make a rare appearance in the squad of thirteen that was missing only two regular players. Unfortunately the game turned out to be very much of a rough and tumble encounter, with the Red & Blacks being out of luck of any sort from the start. From the push back, Ashford started by far the better and put Hendon & Mill Hill under pressure immediately. The Red & Blacks piled on the pressure and created many chances from open play as well as obtaining plenty of short corners. However, they were not able to convert any of them into goals. The whole team was working hard, with POLLY SHOEBRIDGE playing well out wide, with the hard working duo of NICKY BENEDICT and LUCY UTTLEY combining neatly in midfield, and the ever reliable EMMA HYNES playing well in her newish left midfield role. Eventually Ashford did get the ball in the net via LUCY UTTLEY, but the umpire had already blown for a short corner, which they failed to convert. After gaining ten short corners and dominating for nearly the whole of the first half; the Red & Blacks were dealt a killer blow when they conceded a penalty flick just before the half time whistle. The home team duly converted it to take a somewhat unjustified 1-0 lead into the interval.

The second half saw Hendon & Mill Hill playing a lot better following the boost of their goal, and they scored a second goal via a breakaway move early in the second half. Ashford rallied, but the rather physical nature of the game was taking its toll and the Red & Blacks suffered injuries to defender SOPHIE SMART and midfielders EMMA HYNES and KIM DOWNS. Eventually an Ashford defender reacted to the continual pushing of her opponent and both were yellow carded and sent off to cool down for ten minutes or so. The Red & Blacks didn’t give up though and LUCY UTTLEY had a shot cleared off the line, as they pummelled the Hendon and Mill Hill goal and debutant CLAIRE EMMERTON hit the post. Finally, with the last play of the game, sweeper HOLLY BUSBY converted a short corner to at least put the Red & Blacks on the score sheet and make the final score a rather unjust 2-1 victory to the home side. It was a solid performance by Ashford in a game where they didn’t get any breaks or luck, but rather a lot of bruises and frustration.

Next week the Red & Blacks are at home to the team currently bottom of the league, Southgate 3rd XI, whom Ashford beat convincingly at the start of the season. If Ashford can maintain their recent form and hard work, they should be able to return to winning ways.

Team: S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, P. Worsfold, E. Hynes, J. Bashford (Skipper), W. Baker, A, Protheroe, L. Uttley, H. Busby, C.Emmerton, P. Shoebridge, K. Downs, N. Benedic

Saturday 8/1/11

It was a return to hockey for the Ashford teams yesterday and the Ladies first team had a friendly game whilst the second and third teams had rearranged League games. The first team were at home to an Amersham & Chalfont St Peter team comprised of mainly second and third team players, and the Red & Blacks won 5-1. Ashford were 2-0 up at half time through a converted penalty flick from Holly Busby and an excellent team goal put in the net by Kelly Taylor. Lucy Uttley scored two in the second half, whilst Nicky Benedict added the other. It was a good warm up game played in a friendly spirit before the Red & Blacks return to league action next Saturday, away to Hendon and Mill Hill 1st team next, who are two places below in the League.

The second team were the star side of the day as they thrashed bottom of the League side Eastcote 4’s, at Ashford by the big margin of 11-0. The Red & Blacks had a strong side out which is settling into the new formation introduced by Club coach Jeremy Clarke and the game was won by half time when the Red & Blacks were 6-0 up The goal scorers were Gillian Clegg 4, Clair Emmerton 3, Hannah Stokes 2, Tracey Holland 1 and Becky Hewes 1. Unfortunately the third team suffered another heavy defeat, losing 6-0 away to PHC Chiswick fifth team. Next week both the second and third teams have tough away games against the teams placed second and top of their respective Divisions.