Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

Ashford Scorers:
Sunny Pottay

Ashford Ladies 1st team were still short of three of their regular players from the squad for their home game against fellow Division 3A strugglers Henley on Saturday, and once again coach ‘BOB’ THORNALLEY was called upon to play to help shore up the defence. In the opening part of the first half, Ashford contained the visitors well. However, after ten minutes of play, Henley executed a good short corner routine which resulted in a well controlled slightly elevated strike, from the edge of the circle rocketing by the left hand post of the Ashford goal to put the visitors 1-0 up.

Ashford did not get disheartened though and continued to play well, with goal keeper LEANNE SERGEANT and defenders DANI BROUGH, EMMA HYNES and coach THORNALLEY playing well across the back and the ever consistent and hard working NICKY DALY, being ably assisted by TRACEY HOLLAND in midfield. After twenty or so minutes of play Ashford left midfielder player STACEY KENWARD was involved in a collision with a Henley player which involved a clash of heads that resulted in a head injury to STACEY who had to leave the pitch and unfortunately she was unable to take any further part in the game. The Red & Blacks reorganised and long time defender HILARY HULL came on as substitute and was pressed into action up front. Not long after, Ashford managed to equalise when NICKY DALY took a good free hit outside the circle which HILARY HULL deflected goal wards and SUNNY POTTAY was on hand to scramble the ball over the Henley goal line. Whilst it wasn’t the most stylish of goals, it was Ashford’s, and thus SUNNY’s, first of the season. The score remained at 1—1 until the interval.

The second half continued in a similar vein to the first, with both sides pressing for an equaliser. Unfortunately Ashford were missing some of their heavy artillery up front and were not able to make much headway against the Henley goalkeeper and defence. Despite their frustration, the Red & Blacks kept going, but came unstuck when Henley managed to hit the winning goal shortly before the end of the game. Thus yet again as happened last season, Henley managed to snatch a late victory over Ashford. Despite their disappointment in defeat, Ashford had played much better than of late and next Saturday, they have to travel to Paddington to play Hampstead & Westminster 2nd XI, who are just above them in the League. Coach HELEN THORNALLEY and the squad are therefore keen to continue their much improved form and they are optimistic of securing their first win of the season.

Team:
L Sergeant (GK), E Hynes, D Brough, H Thornalley, H Hull, N Daly, S Kenward, C Brant, T Holland, J Smith (Captain), S Pottay, L Samouel.

Ashford travelled to Wycombe on Saturday with a stronger, but still not full strength, squad. Coach HELEN THORNALLEY stepped forward to play her first game of the season to help strengthen the defence, whilst former Ashford starlet LAURA SAMOUEL was playing for her first 1st XI game since returning to the club at the start of the season. Ashford started steadily and were unfortunate that an early break from the home team resulted in them going ahead with a well struck goal after four minutes of play, only for Wycombe to then score another scorcher of a goal after six minutes to take a somewhat unwarranted 2-0 lead. The Red & Blacks stuck to their task manfully though and got back into the game and were performing well when a freak accident to one of the umpires halted play for almost twenty minutes. Unfortunately the umpire accidentally tripped over an Ashford player whilst the ball was out of play, and whilst falling the umpire put her arm out to cushion her fall. In doing so she managed to break her arm and after initially trying to carry on, she had to stop and received lengthy treatment. Meanwhile, both teams had to consult the League rules and then try and find/contact an appropriate standard and registered umpire. Fortunately one was found and the game could continue.

After the restart, the Red & Blacks played extremely well and mounted numerous attacks on the Wycombe goal. Good team work and hockey resulted in them gaining several short corners and although youngsters OLIVIA YOUNG and LAURA SAMOUEL, in particular were combining well, Ashford were unable to convert any chances into goals and the score remained at 2-0 to Wycombe until half time.

In the second half Ashford again started strongly and were playing a lot better than in recent games, and were more than a match for the home team. However, all their efforts were thwarted after twenty minutes of the second half when Wycombe scored their third goal and then another two, five and ten minutes later, to make the score 5-0 to the home team. The Red & Blacks hung in though and goalkeeper LEANNE SERGEANT made a fine high diving save to her right to deny Wycombe a sixth goal in the final minutes of the game. LEANNE and left side midfielder STACEY KENWARD were the joint Ashford players of the match, but the whole squad played well and the score line was not really a true reflection of the game. Next Saturday, Ashford face fellow strugglers Henley at Short Lane at 12noon and are hopeful of having an almost complete squad to choose from and continue to play at the standard achieved against Wycombe.

Team:
L Sergeant (GK), E Hynes, S Kendall, D Brough, H Thornalley, H Hull, N Daly, S Kenward, C Brant, T Holland, J Smith (Captain), O Young, L Samouel.

In their first friendly match of the season Ashford entertained South Division 3B team Spencer. Ashford again had to field a much depleted side. Youngsters ELLIE ASHFORD-HODGES and OLIVIA YOUNG were brought in to make their 1st team debuts, whilst SUNNAY PATTAY was making her return to the fold after a season’s absence due to injury. The opening exchanges were fairly even, and Ashford secured a short corner early on, but didn’t convert it and the visitors followed it up with a penetrating run that resulted in the opening goal of the game after only six minutes. The Red & Blacks rallied though and had several attacks with Becky Griffiths having a mazy run which nearly resulted in a goal. The visitors then broke up field and confusion amongst the defenders let them in for a second goal after ten minutes of play. Again Ashford put pressure on the visitors defence, prompted well by skipper JACKIE PARSONS, the hard working TRACEY HOLLAND and with some deft touches from debutant girl ELLIE ASHFORD- HODGES. Unfortunately more confusion in the defence then let in another soft goal at the other end, to make the score 3-0 to Spencer. A few minutes later, Ashford skipper JACKIE PARSONS aggravated an old back injury and had to come off the pitch. Shortly after the Red & Blacks gained another short corner, but didn’t convert it, although they were playing a lot better hockey than in the last two weeks. Captain JACKIE PARSONS did try to play again, but soon had to come off and wasn’t able to return for the rest of the game. The visitors then capitalised on a melee in the Ashford goal and forced the ball in from close in to make the score a slightly unjust 4-0 to Spencer at half time.

The second half saw Ashford start incredibly poorly letting in two goals within two minutes of the restart to put the game beyond their reach at 6-0 to Spencer. Despite the score line, the young Ashford keeper LEANNE SERGEANT was playing well and on several occasions she was left stranded and was unable to prevent many of the goals. Five minutes later another defensive lapse and a fine straight strike saw Spencer go 7-0 up. Ashford tried to get more into the game and SUNNY PATTAY, EMMA HYNES and CLAIRE BRANT battled well to try and set up some goals scoring chances and some more forays into the visitors circle, Ashford failed to score or really worry the Spencer keeper. Several very good saves from the Ashford player of the match LEANNE SERGEANT then prevented further Spencer goals, but the visitors added an eight and ninth goal after thirteen and twenty four minutes. Resolute play then kept the score at 9-0 until the last minute of the game when the visitors scored their best goal of the game to inflict a convincing 10-0 defeat on Ashford.

Next Saturday the red & Blacks restart their South League programme and have to travel to play Wycombe Rye. Coach BOB THORNALLEY will be hoping that she has at least a full complement of players to choose from in what is proving to be a very tough season for all the Ashford Ladies teams.

Team:
L Sergeant (GK), E Hynes, D Brough, S Kenward, H Hull, S Pattay, C Brant, T Holland, O Young, J Parsons (Captain), H Siwek, E Ashford – Hodges, B Griffiths.

Once again Ashford were unable to field their full side due to unavailability and so they had to draft in several new players. Third eleven goalkeeper ALISON BOXELL and second eleven striker HELEN SIWEK were called up to make their first eleven debuts, whilst last week’s debutant EMMA HYNES continued at left back. Ashford were also very pleased to welcome back first team regular, skilful midfielder SAM KENDALL after a long injury lay off. The Red & Blacks were under pressure from the start and the young Teddington side played aggressively from the push back, and they opened the scoring from a good team move after only three minutes. Ashford tried to regroup and the midfield prompted a few attacks, but none led to any real goal chances and after a further ten minutes of play Teddington scored a second goal from field play. A series of penalty corners for Teddington followed and when one was illegally stopped on the goal line by Ashford, the visitors were awarded a penalty stroke, which was duly converted to make the score 3-0. Yet another penalty corner for Teddington followed shortly after and this time the straight strike resulted in another goal. Despite the four goal deficit, the Red & Blacks kept trying to play and defender DANI BROUGH got through some sterling work at the back and midfielders NICKY DALY, JACKIE PARSONS and ANNIE NEYTON strived hard to make inroads into the visitors defence. However, Teddington managed to notch another short corner on the stroke of half time to put the game beyond Ashford’s reach and the score at 5-0 to Teddington.

The second half saw Ashford under almost relentless pressure as Teddington added another three goals, all scored by LEANNE RYAN from penalty corners after only ten minutes of play. They then added another two goals from short corners in the following ten minutes of play to make the score 10-0 to Teddington. Ashford played on gamely, but failed to penetrate the solid Teddington defence. The defeat was the heaviest in many a year for Ashford, who all tried hard but were outclassed by a younger, fitter and more skilful side. Next Saturday Ashford have a rest from the trials of League hockey and have a friendly game at home to Spencer, and coach BOB THORNALLEY will be hoping that she has a full complement of players to choose from for once.

Team:
A Boxell (GK), E Hynes, S Kendall, D Brough, L Douglas, H Hull, N Daly, C Brant, T Holland, A Neyton, J Parsons (Captain), H Siwek.

Due to unavailability Ashford were only able to field seven of their normal first team squad for their second South league of the season, away to local rivals Staines. EMMA HYNES and KIM SHEFFIELD were brought in to make their first eleven debuts; whilst TRACEY HOLLAND retained her place at right back after her debut last week and second team keeper LIV SUTTON was playing her first 1st XI game of the season.

Unfortunately Ashford got off to the worst possible start, when they conceded a soft goal after they were unable to clear a short corner after only three minutes of play. The rEd & Blacks then fought gamely for an equaliser with JACKIE PARSONS and STACEY KENWARD going close after KATIE GREEN and ANNIE NEYTON had combined well down the right flank. Their good work was soon outdone though when Staines scored a second goal once again from a short corner to go 2-0 ahead and fourteen minutes again they added a third from a sharp shot. The Ashford keeper LIV SUTTON then did a good save to keep the score at 3-0, but was unable to save the penalty flick which was awarded against Ashford just before half time. Thus the score was a convincing 4-0 to Staines at half time.

After the interval Ashford battled vainly, but again Staines scored early in the second half from a short corner following poor defending by Ashford. An injury to defender TRACEY HOLLAND then hampered Ashford further and Staines added a sixth goal shortly after. The game then evened out for a long period, with NICKY DALY working tirelessly in midfield, but Ashford were unable to penetrate the Staines defence. Near the end of the game JO PARKINSON cleared a shot off the line, but she was unable to do anything about the seventh and final Staines goal which followed good work down the right flank. The 7-0 defeat was Ashford’s worst defeat in the League and also for many a season. Next Saturday Ashford are at home to high flying Teddington, when hopefully they will be back at full strength.

Team:
O. Sutton (GK), E. Hynes, J. Smith (Captain), S Kenward, K Sheffield, H. Hull, N Daly, K. Green, T. Holland, A Neyton, J Parsons, B Griffiths.

As per last season, Ashford 1st XI Ladies had to travel to play West Hampstead for their opening South League fixture of the new season. During the close season the Ashford squad has been much depleted due to a number of reasons ranging from KIRSTY HARDING and KIRSTY ROSSINGTON moving from the area, elected Captain SOPHIE SMITH being pregnant and long term injuries and sickness causing the absence of SAM KENDALL and CAL ANTELL respectively. In addition, SHARON McGLINLEY is still recovering from the birth of her first child and 1st team and Ladies Club coach HELEN ‘BOB’ THORNALLEY is not attempting to combine her coaching and playing roles again this season. However, Ashford was able to welcome back the talented South African and former Ashford Ladies 1st team Captain, JACKIE PARSONS back to the squad.

In hot humid conditions, Ashford played with debutant TRACEY HOLLAND out of position at right back, necessitating youngster LOUISE DOUGLAS having to move across to left back. However, from the start, the Ashford team combined well and applied themselves to the task as West Hampstead piled on the pressure early on. Unfortunately after twenty minutes Ashford let in a very soft short corner goal to go 1-0 down. Undaunted they rallied and had several short corners of their own, but the strike force couldn’t find the final touch and equalising goal.

It was a similar story in the second half and although the Red & Blacks tired in the heat and heavy pressure from the West Hampstead forwards, they stuck to their task manfully and kept the team shape and system well. Again the Ashford strikers couldn’t quite penetrate the home defence, and despite KATIE GREEN being given a rough time by the home defenders, she kept her cool and showed some neat touches. Likewise the defence stood firm to the end and kept the score sheet blank in the second half, thus making the final score a 1-0 victory to West Hampstead. Both the Ashford coach and squad were pleased with the team’s performance, despite the loss and felt very positive about things after the game. Ashford now look forward to the second game of the season next Saturday 7/10/06 against local rivals and newly promoted, Staines 2nd XI at Staines at 3pm.

Team:
L. Sergeant (GK), L. Cunningham, J. Smith (Captain), L. Douglas, H. Hull, D. Brough, N Daly, K. Green, T. Holland, A Neyton, J Parsons, B Griffiths.