Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

Ladies League Hockey 11/12/10
Middlesex Premier
ASHFORD 1st XI 2 v WEST HAMPSTEAD 2nd XI 0Ashford Ladies first team returned to League action on Saturday after a week’s break due to the snowy weather. They had a rearranged home game against the team three places below in the League, West Hampstead 2nd XI. Coach JEREMY CLARKE had almost a full squad to chose from and was able to introduce former long time first team Captain and skill full midfielder, NICKY BENEDICT back to the squad after her recent maternity break. Despite most of the squad attending the Ladies Christmas dinner in Windsor the night before and the match having a 10.30 am push back, the Red & blacks started spritely enough. In fact after only three minutes they had opened the scoring following one of their initial forays into the visitors half. Acting Skipper JACQUI BASHFORD showed some good determination in front of goal and she prodded the ball home to put the Red & Blacks 1-0 ahead. The goal helped settle Ashford down and although one or two players were not playing their best, they all worked hard and combined well to take the game to the visitors. West Hampstead gradually began to counter though and had several chances and short corners of their own, and the game remained fairly even territorially for the next twenty minutes or so of the half. However, another Ashford attack resulted in NICKY BENEDICT marking her return to first team action by poking the ball home from close in following some messy hockey in the visitor’s circle, with what was almost her first touch of the game. Again West Hampstead rallied and they gained a penalty flick after their shot from a short corner was stopped by an Ashford defender’s foot on the goal line. The flick was not well struck though and the Red & Blacks keeper SAM GRANT was easily able to save it and to keep the score at 2-0 to Ashford.

A further flurry of activity from Ashford saw LUCY UTTLEY picking up a good pass from the ever reliable EMMA HYNES near the top of the visitors circle and her slotting the ball home to make the score 3-0 to the home side. LUCY quickly followed this up with one of her trade mark speedy and mazy dribbles, to set up her partner in crime KIM DOWNS with an easy chance to convert. KIM safely netted to put the Red & Blacks 4-0 up and the game almost beyond the visitors reach. The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with both teams creating chances and securing short corners, with perhaps the visitors being the slightly more dominant side, but no real power finishing by either side. Two thirds through the second half, the Red & Blacks were awarded a penalty flick of their own following an infringement by a West Hampstead defender. Kiwi sweeper HOLLY BUSBY elected to take it and flicked the ball into the net by the right post, but unfortunately she had initially done a double movement on the ball, so it was disallowed. This seemed to slightly deflate both teams and the rest of the half also remained goalless, making the final result a very creditable and pleasing 4-0 victory for the Red & Blacks. The whole team was voted ‘player of the match’ as the squad had performed well together in somewhat ‘hung over’ circumstances. The Ladies now have a Christmas break, as their next League game isn’t until January 15th, but training recommences on January 5th and they are hoping to have a friendly game on 8th January. The first half of the season sees the Red & Blacks sitting 6th in the Premier Division, with three wins, two draws and four (mainly narrow) defeats to their name, and having scored a creditable 22 goals, but worryingly conceded 18. Coach JEREMY CLARKE and the squad will be striving to at least maintain and hopefully improve their record in 2011.

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

Ladies League Hockey 27/11/10
Middlesex Premier

ASHFORD 1st XI 1 v HAMPSTEAD & WESTMINSTER 4th XI 5
Despite the icy conditions prevalent everywhere on Saturday, the pitch at Ashford Hockey Club was more than fit to play on at noon, when the Ladies 1st team faced third in the table team Hampstead & Westminster 4th XI. Ashford had a large squad of fourteen players, with only one or two of the regular squad members missing. The visiting team had arrived at Ashford’s Short Lane ground early and they seemed to be warmed up and ready for the game more than the Red & Blacks were initially. From the off Hampstead & Westminster threatened the Ashford goal and within the first ten minutes of play they had gained some short corners and had several shots on the Ashford goal. It was only cool play by Ashford’s Kiwi full back KIM FRY that kept them at bay on one attack, when she stopped and cleared the ball off the Red & Blacks goal line. Eventually Ashford were able to break into the visitors half and KELLY TAYLOR managed a good run and shot on goal, but the visitors soon started to dominate the play again. Another decisive attack from the Hampstead & Westminster’s forwards, saw their first shot half cleared and them netting the rebound to take a 1-0 lead. The Red & Blacks rallied a little though, but after thirty minutes of play, they got caught flat footed when two of the visitor’s forwards swiftly broke clean away and secured their second goal of the game, when they were able to round the stranded Ashford keeper. The score remained at 2-0 nil to the visitors until half time.

The Red & Blacks started the second half on a high note, when speedy and in form forward LUCY UTTLEY went on a skill full run down the left. LUCY cut across into the visitors circle and slotted the ball home to bring Ashford right back into the game, with the score being 1-2 to the visitors. Unfortunately the visitors hit straight back and within minutes, they had gained another short corner which wasn’t properly cleared by the Ashford defence, and Hampstead & Westminster hammered the ball home to go 3-1 up. The Red & Blacks fought back though, and were unlucky not to score from a well struck short corner by sweeper HOLLY BUSBY. Ashford then should have also scored from a well worked short corner routine, but failed to slot the ball home from close in. Once again the visitors retaliated quickly and went 4-1 up from rather a weak shot. Ashford tried once again to get back into the game when a scorching short corner strike by HOLLY BUSBY was stopped illegally by a visitors defender, and the Red & Blacks were awarded a penalty flick. Acting skipper JACQUI BASHFORD stepped up to take it, but it was easily saved by the visitor’s keeper. As the Red & Blacks tired, Hampstead & Westminster gained several more short corners, converting one to make the score 5-1 in their favour. The Red & Blacks managed one final attack when forward GILLIAN CLEGG went on a good run, but she was thwarted by solid Hampstead & Westminster defence, so the final score was 5-1 to the visitors, and thus Ashford suffered their heaviest defeat of the season so far. Another consistent performance by full back SOPHIE SMART made her the Red & Blacks player of the match.

Next week, the Red & Blacks play their last League game in 2010, and they are at home at 1.30 pm to second from bottom team West Hampstead 2nd XI. The club, squad and coach will be hoping that Saturday’s game was a one-off and that the Red & Blacks Ladies first team will finish the first of the League season on a winning note.

Team: S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, K. Fry, E. Hynes, J. Bashford (Skipper), W. Baker, K. Taylor, L. Uttley, H. Busby, B Hewes, G. Clegg, P Worsfold, K. Downs, B. Smith

Ladies League Hockey 20/11/10
Middlesex Premier
PHC CHISWICK 1st XI 3 v ASHFORD 1st XI 2
Ashford Ladies first team were missing a few of their more experienced players for their tough match away to top of the table and unbeaten side PHC Chiswick first team, on Saturday. A squad of twelve was selected by Coach JEREMY CARTER, but unfortunately goalkeeper SAM GRANT got delayed in the heavy Twickenham bound traffic on her way to the game, and the Red & Blacks had to start the game with full back SOPHIE SMART as stand-in goalkeeper. Ashford played calmly though and GRANT arrived shortly after the start, and was able to get kitted out and take her position between the sticks after less than five minutes of play. From the start, the home team played with two up front and worked the ball across the back, down the flanks when possible and into the Ashford circle, where if they couldn’t get a shot in, they looked for a short corner. In fact they gained several corners in the opening ten minutes of play and utilised different routines each time. They eventually broke through the Red & Blacks solid defence with a neat short corner move, to go 1-0 ahead. Although the League leaders continued to press, Ashford were playing well and were getting into PHC Chiswick’s half on many occasions, with some thrust full, direct runs from LUCY UTTLEY in particular. One such run saw one of LUCY’S shot being parried by the home team keeper, but the ball rebounded to her and she slotted it home just inside the far post, to level the score 1-1. The goal encouraged Ashford as the League leaders had previously only conceded one goal in their six matches played so far this season. As the Red & Blacks pushed forward, midfielders EMMA HYNES, JACQUI BASHFORD and WENDY BAKER joined in the attacks and a good run by sweeper HOLLY BUSBY was only stopped illegally by a Chiswick defender on their 25 yard line, and she received a green card for her efforts. As the half drew to close, Ashford were slightly on top in what had been a close exciting half of hockey; but they suffered a cruel blow when almost the last action of the half saw PHC Chiswick secure a short corner from which their first shot was saved but the follow up shot wasn’t and they somewhat luckily took a lead by 2 goals to 1.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first and for the first fifteen minutes of play, the Red & Blacks continued to play well and put the home team on the back foot. Despite PHC Chiswick having a couple more attacks on goal; it was Ashford who scored next. It was a good team move which saw EMMA HYNES playing a swift through ball to LUCY UTTLEY, who slotted it home to score her second goal of the game and the equaliser for Ashford. Both teams then pushed forward for the winning goal and with ten minutes left of play, PHC Chiswick attacked down the right and played the ball across the Ashford circle
from the back line, which Ashford failed to clear and a home team forward slotted it home from the left, to make the score 3-2 to the home side. The Red & Blacks rallied though and in the close minutes of the game, a sweeping move involving KELLY TAYLOR and the ever running LUCY UTTLEY on the left saw the ball crossed through the home side’s circle to the right where there were a couple of free Ashford players, but neither was able to get a shot in. Thus PHC Chiswick retained their unbeaten record, but they were pushed all the way by an ever improving Ashford side, which were unlucky to suffer another rather narrow defeat. Next week, the Red & Blacks are at home at 12 noon to Hampstead and Westminster 4th XI, who are three places above them in the League. However, if Ashford can play to the same high standard again next week, success is bound to come.

Team: S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, , K. Fry, E. Hynes, J. Bashford (Skipper), W. Baker, K. Taylor, H. Siwek, L. Uttley, H. Busby, P. Shoebridge, K. Downs

Ladies League Hockey 13/11/10

Middlesex Premier

ASHFORD 1st XI 1 v WINCHMORE HILL & ENFIELD 1st XI 2
For their sixth League game of the season, Ashford Ladies first team faced Winchmore Hill & Enfield first XI at Short Lane on Saturday. As the Red & Blacks didn’t have a second team game, Coach JEREMY CARTER was able to select a squad of fourteen players, which included Skipper PHIL WORSFOLD who was returning from injury. However, key Kiwi defender HOLLY BUSBY was unavailable to play and speedy forward LUCY UTTLEY was still suffering with the ankle injury she picked up in last week’s game. Several players therefore had to change their normal positions to cover for the missing two players. Although Ashford started quite well, it was the visitors who opened the scoring with a breakaway goal to take the lead one goal to nil fairly early on. The Red & Blacks settled back into their rhythm again and were unlucky not to score an equaliser. Initially, an excellent shot by the thrust full and determined ANNIE NEYTON, was well saved by Winchmore Hill & Enfield’s agile goalkeeper. Whilst later in the half, Ashford’s experienced and talented South African forward, JACKIE PARSONS saw one of her trade mark shots hit the inside of the visitors upright, only for the ball to come back out into the field of play, rather than into the goal itself, and for play to continue. The visitors weathered the storm raised by Ashford though, and went two nil ahead with a well taken strike before half time to go into the interval, 2-0 up.

Red & Blacks coach JEREMY CLARKE decided to rearrange the team’s formation at half time and Ashford came out for the second half with added vim and vigour. They took the game to Winchmore Hill & Enfield and put the visitors on the back foot, with their attacking play and smooth team work, as they pressurised the visitors defence. They were prompted by the ever reliable Ashford defender and Ladies Club Captain, EMMA HYNES who was at the hub of the defence and also many of the Red & Blacks midfield and forward moves. The countless Ashford pressure resulted in them being awarded seven short corners. However, the luck just didn’t seem to be going the Red & Blacks way, as the goal chances created weren’t converted until the ever running midfielder JACQUI BASHFORD, finished off a short corner to pull a goal back for the Red and Blacks. Despite further dominance, Ashford were unable to find the net for a deserved equaliser and suffered their second defeat of the season by two goals to one. Not surprisingly EMMA HYNES was deservedly voted the home side’s player of the match.

Next week the Red & Blacks are at away to top of the table team and unbeaten side, PHC Chiswick 1st XI in an afternoon game. Ashford will be hoping to maintain their good team work and fluid hockey to help enable them to return to winning ways in what is bound to be a tough and demanding game.

Team: S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, J. Parsons, K. Fry, P. Worsfold (Skipper), J. Bashford, W. Baker, K. Taylor, A. Neyton, E. Hynes, G. Clegg, K. Downs, B. Smith. P. Shoebridge

Ladies League Hockey 6/11/10

Middlesex Premier

STAINES 3rd XI 4 v ASHFORD 1st XI 2
It was a morning game for Ashford 1st team Ladies when they returned to Premier League action on Saturday and tried to maintain their unbeaten league record. The Red & Blacks only had to travel down the road to Staines (on Thames?) for the 10 am game though and could welcome dynamic midfielder ANNIE NEYTON to the squad for the first time this season. Ashford started well and were slightly the stronger team, but were put on the back foot when Staines got an early, rather soft goal to put them 1-0 up. The Red & Blacks fought back after the early shock and created several more chances but didn’t find the back of the net. As the game flowed from end to end though, they secured an equaliser when a strong but disputed shot by the evergreen Ashford star JACKIE PARSONS, rattled the backboard from a short corner. As the half progressed, the Swans went ahead again from another slightly lucky goal, to make the score 2-1 in their favour. The Red & Blacks mean time failed to convert their midfield play into goal chances, whereas the Swans were very determined and exact in their play.

Ashford rearranged things in the second half bringing the versatile WENDY BAKER back into defences, but the game followed a similar pattern; when Staines went further ahead through a penalty flick to make the score 3-1. Not long after, a good short corner routine by Ashford involving EMMA HYNES and JACKIE PARSONS, saw the latter get her second goal of the game and another neat one, to put the Red & Blacks back in the game at 3-2. A penalty corner finally decided the game in the Swans favour 4-2, as Ashford were not able to make anymore head way and so lost their unbeaten record in rather disappointing fashion. Stalwart defender SOPHIE SMART was Ashford’s player of the match and besides her usual high standard of play she also made a couple of goal line clearances. To add to Ashford’s woes, they lost thrust full forward LUCY UTTLEY with an ankle injury, which necessitated a subsequent visit to hospital and news is still awaited as to how long she will be out with her damaged ankle.

Next week the Red & Blacks are at home to Winchmore Hill & Enfield 1st team who are third in the league, two places above Ashford. The squad and coach JEREMY CLARKE will be looking to return to winning ways in the game and securing their third win of the season.

Team: S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, J. Parsons, K. Fry, H. Busby, J. Bashford (Skipper), W. Baker, K. Taylor, A. Neyton, E. Hynes, H Siwek, L Uttley. P. Shoebridge

Ladies League Hockey 23/10/10

Middlesex Premier

ASHFORD 1st XI 2 TEDDINGTON 3rd XI 2
Ashford entertained Teddington 3rd team on Saturday at Short Lane in initially wet and gloomy conditions. Ashford were almost at full strength and started the game brightly with an attacking run from midfielder KELLY TAYLOR which nearly ended in a goal. Further attacks followed with LUCY UTTLEY and JACKIE PARSONS creating chances and producing some good attacking moves in the first five minutes of play. Teddington weathered the storm, both on and off the pitch, though and produced a few attacks of their and gained two penalty corners in quick succession. The Red & Blacks cleared both and obtained one of their own from which new receiver, defender SOPHIE SMART hit a clean strike on goal that was saved by the visitor’s goalkeeper. Ashford continued to dominate the play as the half progressed and forwards LUCY UTTLEY and JACKIE PARSONS both had shots on target following good short corner moves. After twenty four minutes of play KELLY TAYLOR got the ball in the net for Ashford, but the goal was disallowed for a foot infringement in the circle. A few minutes later though, the Red & Blacks took the lead following a good pass by hard working link midfielder EMMA HYNES, who slipped the ball to the evergreen striker JACKIE PARSONS who netted the ball to put Ashford 1-0 ahead. Unfortunately the Red & Blacks lead was short lived as a defensive lapse saw Teddington equalise a few minutes later. Despite more attacks and another good short corner strike by SOPHIE SMART, the scores remained equal at one all until the end of the first half.

An inspiring half time team talk by Coach JEREMY CLARKE, saw the Red & Blacks on the front foot from the start and after only few minutes of play, Ashford went ahead. A good team move saw JACKIE PARSONS releasing an accurate pass down the right wing to the ever improving KIM DOWNS, who sped., down the flank to the edge of the circle and passed the ball to KELLY TAYLOR, who slotted the ball home to see Ashford 2-1 ahead. Shortly after, the game was temporarily halted for a while as Ashford’s central midfielder WENDY BAKER suffered an accidental hit on the cheek, but after a short rest off the pitch, WENDY was soon back in the thick of the action. Further Ashford attacks bore no goals and one of the rare Teddington attacks saw some slack Ashford defending and a simple equaliser being conceded to make the score two all. More Red & Blacks pressure and neat team work did not result in any further goal opportunities. A good move by Teddington set up one of their forwards with an open goal, but she pushed the ball wide to keep the final score at two each. Although there were lots of positives for Ashford to take from the game and they kept their unbeaten record for the season, they really should have got three points rather than the one.

Next week Ashford does not have a game due to it being half term holiday, and they return to action week after next; when they make the short journey to play Staines Ladies third team, who are currently placed sixth in the league to Ashford’s fourth.

Team: S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, J. Parsons, K. Fry, H. Busby, J. Bashford (Skipper), W. Baker, K. Taylor, K Downs, R. Hewes, E. Hynes, H Siwek, L Uttley

Ladies League Hockey 16/10/10

Middlesex Premier

ASHFORD 1st XI 2 v HAMPSTEAD & WESTMINSTER 3rd XI 2

For their third game of the season, Ashford Ladies first team had almost a full squad to choose from and Coach JEREMY CLARKE selected fourteen players to take on Hampstead & Westminster third team, at home last Saturday. Although the Red & Blacks had a couple of early attacks, it was the visitors who gained the initiative first as they secured firstly a long corner and then secondly a penalty corner; the latter of which had no power in the shot taken and the Ashford defenders easily coped with it. However, after ten minutes of play Ashford were caught on the break and the Hampstead & Westminster forward coolly shot rounded the Red & Blacks keeper SAM GRANT to score and put the visitors 1-0 ahead. Some further attacks by Ashford saw them gain a short corner but no goal was obtained and although there was some good moves between the defenders and midfield and a few shots by JACKIE PARSONS amongst others, the team weren’t quite combining as well as in previous games. A ball in the ribs injury to stalwart defender EMMA HYNES saw the game stopped for a short while, but as ever EMMA got on her feet and battled bravely on. Another attack and short corner from the visitors after twenty two minutes or so of play saw them shoot narrowly wide. This seemed to rally the Red & Blacks a little and a strong, penetrating run on the right by BYRONY SMITH saw her pass to KELLY TAYLOR who took the ball into the circle and along the back line before crossing in close into the far post, where LUCY UTTLEY pounced to grab the equaliser for the home team. Two more short corners for the visitors weren’t converted and shortly before the interval a good Ashford team move saw KIM DOWNS setting up JACKIE PARSONS who nudged the ball home to put the Red & Blacks 2-1 ahead.

The half time break didn’t seem to invigorate Ashford in anyway and despite some solid play and good prompting by defenders WENDY BAKER and player of the match SOPHIE SMART, along with a lot of effort from the squad, the team weren’t as cohesive a unit as normal. The visitors meanwhile where spreading the play around better and it took a good save by Red & Blacks keeper SAM GRANT early in the half to keep the score at 2-1. Hampstead & Westminster continued to find their rhythm and control most of the play and nearly midway through the second half, they secured an equaliser from another short corner, to make the score 2-2. Thus Ashford maintained their unbeaten record despite not playing at their best.

Next week Ashford are at home again, this time they entertain local neighbours Teddington third team, who are yet to win a match. Coach JEREMY CLARKE and the squad will be working hard at training this week to regain some of their sparkle and get back to winning ways once more next Saturday and to hopefully regain if possible that top of the table spot.
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Team: S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, J. Parsons, K. Fry, H. Busby, J. Bashford (Skipper), W. Baker, K. Taylor, K Downs, B. Smith, R. Hewes, E. Hynes, H Siwek, L Uttley

Ladies League Hockey 9/10/10

Middlesex Premier

SOUTHGATE 3rd XI 0 v ASHFORD 1st XI 6

Ashford Ladies first team had an early start for their second League game of the season on Saturday, when they had to travel to North London to face Southgate third team. Due to unavailability the Red & Blacks had to make a few changes to the winning team that played the week before. In particular, they were able to welcome back the very experienced and former long time first team player, captain and coach JACKIE PARSONS. Her presence on the pitch and excellent marshalling of the solid Red & Blacks defence in the early stages of the game, not only boosted the team’s confidence, but also set the pattern for the rest of the match. Ashford thus got off to just the start they needed, when the ever versatile and non-stop running WENDY BAKER scored a rare goal from a short corner to put the Red & Blacks a goal up. Southgate rallied and played some constructive hockey, but only really threatened the Ashford goal through some breakaway attacks, but the Red & Blacks keeper SAM GRANT made some sharp saves to keep them all at bay. Ashford were combining well though and a second goal followed via young KELLY TAYLOR who linked well with midfielder BRYONY SMITH and veteran GILLIAN CLEGG, before flicking the ball home to make the score 2-0. Further good play by both teams kept the game close as the first half drew to a close.

The second half initially followed a similar pattern to the first with play being fairly even. However, Ashford managed to score a third goal via GILLIAN CLEGG which appeared to knock the stuffing out of the home team. KELLY TAYLOR then notched her second goal of the day and the Red & Blacks fourth, when she exchanged passes with KIM DOWNS before hitting the ball hard into the corner of the net. JACKIE PARSONS then added a fifth when she hit one of her trade mark screamers from the edge of the circle to make it 5-0 to Ashford, and to stamp her mark on the game in attack as well as defence. The Red & Blacks then made sure that they would be top of the league after the second round of games by adding a sixth goal. Player of the match WENDY BAKER slapped the ball into the circle for KIM DOWNS to slot home and secure her first league goal of the season. Although the goal scorers deserve credit, the Ashford keeper, the ever nimble and ebullient SAM GRANT pulled off a couple of very acrobatic saves in both halves, to keep a clean sheet and ensure that the Red & Blacks have a good goal difference.

Next week Ashford are at home to Hampstead & Westminster 3rd team, who are currently placed sixth in the League. Coach JEREMY CLARKE and the team will be hoping they can continue on their winning, unbeaten ways and remain at the top of the league table and on this form there is no reason that they shouldn’t.

Team: S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, J. Parsons, K. Fry, H. Busby, J. Bashford (Skipper), W. Baker, K. Taylor, K Downs, B. Smith, R. Hewes, G. Clegg

Ladies League Hockey 2/10/10
Middlesex Premier
ASHFORD 1st XI 2 v HENDON & MILL HILL 1st XI 0
It was with a much changed first team squad and a new Ladies Club and First team coach, Mr. JEREMY CLARKE, that Ashford Ladies opened their 2010/11 League campaign on Saturday. The Red & Blacks were at home to the recently merged club’s of Hendon & Mill Hill first team. Several of the Red & Blacks regular, young first team players have departed for University studies during the summer and due to work commitments, Ashford were without their regular, diamond defender EMMA HYNES. In addition, a long term injury to super striker MARIA CAVILLA and recent one to Skipper PHIL WORSFOLD, as well as some other personnel changes and with no new summer first team standard recruits, resulted in Coach JEREMY CLARKE having to bring up players from within the Club for this opening match. JEREMY had also introduced a more attacking formation, and this paid dividends when Ashford opened the scoring after only three minutes of play. An early attack saw a cross from KELLY TAYLOR on the left being forced home by a determined, acting Skipper JACQUI BASHFORD on the right, to give the new team and coach a dream start. The visitors slowly recovered from the early shock and they created several chances of their own, which they somehow failed to capitalise on. The Ashford keeper SAM GRANT did particularly well to stop one attempt after twenty minutes of play. Neither side could really find their finishing touches though, as Ashford failed to convert any of their short corner chances or had many shots from open play. The first half thus drew to a close with the Red & Blacks still holding onto their one nil advantage.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first in that the visitors failed to convert some of the good chances they created and Ashford continued to press for a second. The new players and different formations used by Coach Clarke were beginning to work well and Ashford were making some good moves and playing steady hockey. An injury to one of the Hendon & Mill Hill players saw the game stopped for a short period and it was the visitors who got into their stride quicker after the restart, but the equaliser wasn’t obtained. After nearly fifty five minutes of play, the Red & Blacks produced probably one of their best flowing and attacking moves of the game. Two of Ashford’s fastest players LUCY UTTLEY and KELLY TAYLOR were involved in a sweet exchange of passes which set the ever improving KIM DOWNS free on the right. KIM confidently took the ball into the circle and put a good angled shot/cross in, which KELLY TAYLOR nudged home from close in on the far post, to put Ashford 2-0 up. Hendon & Mill Hill didn’t give up though and it was only stout defending by Ashford sweeper HOLLY BUSBY that saw another opportunity for the visitors go begging. Ashford Player of the match LUCY UTTLEY nearly got a third for the Red & Blacks, but the score remained at 2-0 to Ashford at full time, who thus secured three league points to start this season with.

Next week the Red & Blacks squad have to travel to north London to play Southgate Ladies third team and will be looking to build on their solid start.

Team: S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, P. Shoebridge, K. Fry, H. Busby, J. Bashford (Skipper), W. Baker, K. Taylor, K Downs, L. Uttley, R. Hewes, H.Siwek

The annual start of the season Club Day will be held on Saturday 4th September at Short Lane, starting at midday and all current, past and would be players of all ages and abilities are welcome. Your Team Captains’ will be sending out further details soon, but please make a note in your diary.

In addition, if you fancy giving hockey a go and haven’t played before, please come on down..

The Ladies section are looking for a Level 1 qualified coach with experience of coaching Ladies sides in fitness and skills to Middlesx and South League standard. The apppointed person will be required to take all three/four ladies senior sides for an hour of fitness training on Wedneday evenings (7.30-8.30pm), followed by an hour of skills coaching for the 1st and 2nd team squads. The coach will also be required to coach the first team (Middlesex Premier League) during their Saturday League games. Terms to be agreed and kit, equipment and insurance will be provided. Please contact Lynne Morgan on president@ashfordhockeyclub.co.uk for further details.

Ladies summer training sessions will start on Wednesday 7th July at 7.30pm on the hard play area. It will begin with a light, one hour session of running and a few physical drills as per the sessions run by Mandy last year. All are welcome and we will take things slowly over the first few weeks. Hope to see you there.

Tickets are now available at £1 each or £5 per book for the Grand Draw to be held at our 90th Anniversary Ball on Saturday 24th April. The prizes are many and various:

Cinema in your living room – LCD TV, Blu Ray Player

Hockey Heaven? A selection of Ashford Hockey Club sporting goodies including personalised shirt by WeAdmire.net and hockey kit from TK

ZZZZ…..not now! £100 voucher from Zoppo Hockey

Turning pro? A hockey stick from The ProShop

Ladies Pamper Hamper! Mini spa day at Virgin Staines & other goodies

Picture perfect – A 20” by 30” canvas of your choice from canvasRus.co.uk

Thirst quenching – A selection of South African wines from Cape Wine and Food, Staines.

Restore and revive – a Kinesiology session with Devin Dyason

Time for tea with Teapigs.co.uk – teatime treatsDriving forward? A round of golf for 4 at Stockley Park

Smile  A digital photo frame

Howzat? A pair of tickets for Surrey county cricket at the BritOval

Bubblicious – A bottle of champagne

Bowled over? Glass bowl from Classic Miniatures

Plus others – Buy your tickets from Tracy/Lynne at Short Lane or Wendy/Hayley on ahcsocial@hotmail.co.uk, or buy on the night!

Ladies League Hockey 20/3/10

Middlesex Premier

ASHFORD 1st XI 1 v TEDDINGTON 3rd XI 3In their last game of the season Ashford Ladies were at home to the team three places above them in the league, Teddington 3rd XI. Ashford were able to welcome back regular, diamond sweeper EMMA HYNES, midfielder BRYONY SMITH and last week’s debutant WENDY BAKER was retained for another game. However, the Red & Blacks were again without key striker LUCY UTTLEY and still injured skipper PHIL WORSFOLD, in what was coach MANDY WAIN’S last game due to her relocation in the summer to the south coast. The midday start seemed to suit the visitors a lot better than it did Ashford, and as usual Teddington had a large, well oiled squad of players who played with great determination from the start. The continual pressure from the young Teddington side resulted in them gaining a penalty flick early in the game. They duly converted to it go one nil ahead. As the Red & Blacks gradually settled and started to play some good hockey, they got a lot more into the game, and despite having several shots on goal, they were unable to get an equaliser. Teddington held strong, and two breakaways saw them getting two more goals to go three nil up by the half way stage of the game.

Although things looked bleak for Ashford at the start of the second half, the whole squad upped their game and the moves started to flow well, with defenders EMMA HYNES, SARAH APPLETON, ELINE SIBIA, goalkeeper SAM GRANT and SOPHIE SMART all prompting things intelligently at the back. The versatile WENDY BAKER was also having another good game, whilst all the squad were trying their best to get back into the game and give coach MANDY WAIN a good performance to finish off with, and Ashford managed to totally commanded the play for the first fifteen minutes of the second half. The combined efforts of Ashford midfielders BRYONY SMITH, ANNA PROTHEROE, JACQUI BASHFORD and KELLY TAYLOR then continued to put the Teddington youngsters under pressure, resulting in the Red & Blacks gaining several short corners and some more good shots on goal from Ashford strikers SHARON McGLINLEY and MARIA CAVILLA. Eventually the Red & Blacks got the goal they deserved from a short corner. ANNA PROTHEROE injected the ball to JACQUI BASHFORD, who pushed it across to SHARON McGLINLEY who put a good shot in, which player of the match ANNA PROTHEROE hit home to grab a goal back for Ashford and make the score 3-1 to Teddington. The Red & Blacks tried to maintain their high level of play, but as the game came to a close they tired and weren’t able to add to their goal tally. Thus the final score was 3-1 to Teddington, exactly as it was in the equivalent fixture before Christmas. Ashford will now finish eight out of ten teams in the Premier League with four wins, three draws and eleven defeats in an injury strewn season. Coach MANDY WAIN will be missed by all Ashford Club members, but especially the first team squad who have all benefitted greatly from her guidance, great hockey knowledge, natural enthusiasm and endless patience.

Team: S. Grant (GK), S. Smart), S. Appleton, E. Hynes (Skipper), A Protheroe, J. Bashford, W. Baker, E. Sibia, S McGlinley. K. Taylor, B. Smith, M. Cavilla