Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

Ashford 2nd XI had to face League leaders West Hampstead 2nd XI at Short Lane in their penultimate league game of the season. Ashford were boosted though as former 1st XI skipper Nicky Benedict, returning after pregnancy and Annie Neyton returning from injury were added to the squad. Things started brightly for the Red & Blacks as they attacked from the start and an early short corner saw Lynne Morgan’s first time strike well saved and forward ‘Freddie’ Newman going close on another occasion. The visitors rallied though and the more they attacked and the goals didn’t come, the more frustrated they got as Ashford soaked up the pressure and continued to attack. Thus Ashford were certainly the happier team at half time and the 0-0 score was a reflection of their solid first half performance.

After the break the visitors upped their performance and should really have scored on two separate occasions when their forwards were presented with relative easy chances. Their pressure eventually told though and they caught the Ashford defence rather flat to open the scoring fifteen minutes into the second half. Shortly after they got another from an acute angle to go 2-0 up. Ashford fought back, but despite the clever play of midfielders Nicky Benedict, Ellie Ashford Hodges, Bryony Smith and Annie Neyton, they were unable to make much headway and create many chances. In the final fifteen minutes Ashford were mainly defending, but they managed to keep the visitors at bay with some sterling defending from ever reliable skipper Hilary Hull, Lisa Cunningham and deputy keeper Alison Boxell amongst others, and they kept the score to a respectable 2-0. Next week Ashford face another West Hampstead team at home at 12noon, this time it will be West Hampstead 3rd XI.

Team:
A.Boxell, A.Saunders, E.Sibia, A.Donelan, L.Cunningham, H.Hull(Captain), L.Morgan, E.Ashford-Hodges, B.Smith, N. Benedict, S.Kenward, V. Newman, A.Neyton

Ashford Scorers:
Maria Cavilla

The Ladies 2nd XI contested what can only be termed as a “close affair” at home to West Hampstead Ladies 3rd XI. At half time the Red and Blacks were unfortunate to be 1-0 down, and after an inspiring team talk returned to the pitch determined to level the match. Thier efforts we’re compelling and resulted in numerous attacks, creating a few clear cut chances, but the home side were unfortunately to see all of them go wide. To compound their misery in front of goal, a defensive error then let in West Hampstead for thier second, midway through the second half and whilst Ashford did eventually score a late goal (Maria Cavilla) following a melee, they were not able to grab an equaliser. Player of the match was Sam Kendall, who controlled the midfield well and sweeper Jackie Parsons also performed excellently.

Although Ashford thought the game had been awarded to them there was obviously a change of heart somewhere else, and the fixture that had been a washout 2 weeks ago was played again at Short Lane. Aces fielded a much stronger side this time, and the red and blacks found it hard to establish the commanding lead they had previously notched up in the first 50 minutes. A hard fought game ended in with a point a piece, or two less than Ashford thought they had, but Christmas is a time for giving so we were obviously being festive. Final score 2-2.

Ashford Scorers:
Maria Cavilla (2), Ellie Hodges

The Ladies 2nd XI started their Middlesex League campaign this weekend with a good win against West Hampstead. Selection was limited due to a wedding in the Ashford ranks but the Red and Blacks still managed to field a strong side and notch up a convincing win.