Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

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 Middlesex Division 4

Ashford 3rd XI 6 v West Hampstead 6th XI 0

The Ladies 3’s finished their season on a high note despite missing out on promotion, with a fine victory at home on 27/3/10 against the team four places below them in the League. The 3’s were legally boosted by the inclusion of five regular second team players and also had MANDY WAIN coaching them on the side line. In very pleasant warm conditions, the Red & Blacks settled matters in the first half with some fine team work and four goals. Hard working POLLY SHOEBRIDGE scored a fine opportunist hat trick of goals, whilst veteran LYNNE MORGAN scored the fourth with one of her ‘edge of the circle’ trade mark strikes.

Coach MANDY WAIN rearranged the team in the second half and youngsterd NICKY CROXON and GEORGINA SUTCH both starred in what was a very friendly and enjoyable game. The visitors got more into the game in the second half and had several good shots on goal, but
a very alert LIV WASHER in the Ashford goal coped with things well. The Red & Blacks were still well on top though and right midefielder SAM CLAREY added a brace of goals to make the final score 6-0 to ensure that Club coach MANDY WAIN finished her aHc career with aresounding win. Hat trick girl POLLY SHOEBRIDGE was deservedly voted player of the match.

Team: L. Washer (GK), G. Sutch, H. Stokes (Skipper),N. Croxon (2nd half),
B. Hewes, D. Brown, J. English, V. Newman, L. Morgan, P. Shoebridge,A. Saunders, S. Clarey

Ladies Middlesex League 16.1.2010
AHC Ladies 2nd XI 0 v INDIAN GYMKHANA 1st XI 2

In their first game for six weeks, Ashford 2nd XI faced a tough match against top of the table team Indian Gymkhana 1st XI on Saturday. Although Ashford were without regular star defender WENDY BAKER and the still injured striker MARIA CARVILLA, they were otherwise at full strength. The game was started slowly by both teams in very wet conditions, but neither showed too many signs of rustiness despite the long break from League action. The visitors applied the earlier pressure though and constructed some good moves, but the Ashford defence soaked up their attacks well. The Red & Blacks then started to combine well with youngster BRYONY SMITH, SAM CLAREY and CARINA GROVES prominent amongst many. Both teams gained short corners, but skipper LIV WASHER marshaled her defence well to contain the visitor’s attacks, whilst GILLIAN CLEGG and LYNNE MORGAN went close for the Red & Blacks. As half time beckoned, the visitors really started to dominate the game and opened the scoring with a well worked goal.

The second half followed a similar pattern and although Ashford tried to play a more attacking format, they didn’t penetrate the visitors defence on many occasions. Thus it was Indian Gymkhana who dominated play and they had several open chances which they didn’t convert. As Ashford tired and the weather deteriorated further, the visitors got a second and some what fortuitous second goal near the end of the game to secure a deserved victory. However, Ashford can take plenty of positives from their performance and will hope to improve further and hopefully get back to winning ways next week.

Team: O Washer GK (Captain), A. Saunders, K. Hull, T. Holland, B. Smith, S. Appleton, E. Sibia, L. Morgan, S. Clarey, V. Newman, C. Groves, G. Clegg.

AHC Ladies 3rd XI 0 v OLD UXONIANS 1st XI 0

This top of the table battle lived up to its reputation as both sides gave their all from the start. Unfortunately, the Red & Blacks were without top scorer and Vice Captain KIM DOWNS, which almost proved to be a major factor as Ashford were unable to convert any of the many chances they had to score in the first half in particular. Credit must also go to the Old Uxonians goalkeeper though, who from the start of the game remained resolute to the many Ashford attacks. Likewise the Red & Blacks keeper CHARLIE POULTER also played well, despite being accidentally kneed in the face in the first half. She was ably assisted by strong Kiwi defender HOLY BUSBY, a rejuvenated JULES STEER and skill full veteran DOREEN BROWN adding a touch of class to the proceedings. The visitors also had some classy players and the second half saw the game swinging from one goalmouth to the other as both teams tried to secure three points. It was not to be though and an exciting game finished goal less, and Ashford remain in second place, still one point behind the visitors, and three ahead of the PHC Chiswick team in third place.

Team: C. Poulter (GK), G. Sutch, H. Busby, D. Brown, S. Westlake, P. Shoebridge, E. Brown, N. Croxon, J. Steer, A. Cowell, H. Stokes (Captain), B. Hewes

Ladies League Hockey 12/12/09

Middlesex Division 4

WEST HAMPSTEAD 6th XI 0 v ASHFORD 3rd XI 3
Ashford 3rd team, who are currently placed second in Division 4, were the only Ashford Ladies team to play on Saturday and they were accompanied by 1st team and Ladies fitness coach MANDY WAIN. The team had to travel to Brent Cross to face second from the bottom of the League side West Hampstead 6th with a squad of only eleven players. Encouraged by a constructive warm up and pre-match pep talk by coach MANDY WAIN, the Red & Blacks played some constructive and impressive hockey in the opening part of the game. Hard running Ashford Midfielder POLLY SHOEBRIDGE, nearly opened the scoring
when she made a penetrating run into the West Hampstead goal mouth, but was unable to get a strong shot on goal. Further pressure from the Red & Blacks resulted in them gaining several short corners, but talented Kiwi sweeper HOLLY BUSBY was unable to convert any despite her strong controlled hitting. Half way through the half, Ashford again went close when speedy wide striker KIM DOWNS did another good run and cross, which the hard working veteran winger just failed to reach and divert into the net. Shortly after another reliable veteran, defender DOREEN BROWN did one of her trade mark, silky long passes to winger WESTLAKE who crossed for the ebullient KIM DOWNS to convert and put the Red & Blacks deservedly 1-0 ahead. Unfortunately Ashford were unable to build on the lead, despite playing some good hockey and everyone playing well, and the last ten minutes of the half saw them put under a lot of pressure by the home team. However, the Red & Blacks keeper CHARLIE POULTER dealt with their shots well and helped to keep the score at 1-0 to Ashford at the interval.

The half time break and a change of formation by West Hampstead appeared to upset Ashford and for the third quarter of the game they struggled to find their true rhythm again, as their team work broke down. Once again the defence stood strong though and eventually the Red & Blacks mounted some attacks and obtained another couple of short corners. Following one parried shot from HOLLY BUSBY a melee in the goalmouth formed with saved shots from close in by KIM DOWNS and SUE WESTLAKE eventually saw HOLLY BUSBY slotting the ball into the net to put the Red & Blacks 2-0 up. The second goal gave Ashford their confidence back and they started to dominate the game again with the whole team playing and combining well. A third goal followed shortly after when speedy KIM DOWNS got her second of the day when she neatly slotted the ball home by the far post to secure the three points for the Red & Blacks. The result puts the 3rd team one point behind the Division leaders and five points clear of the third placed team as they head into the three week Christmas break.

Team: C Poulter (GK), H. Busby, D. Brown, J. English, K. Boxell, G. Sutch, P Shoebridge, H. Stokes (Skipper), K. Downs, S. Westlake, B. Hewes

Middlesex Division Four

Ashford Ladies 3rd XI 2 v Indian Gymkhana 2nd XI 1

The benefit of having first team coach MANDY WAIN in charge and a squad of thirteen players to chose from, gave the Ladies third team a big boost for their home game on Saturday 21/11/09. They monopilised the game from the start, but seemed unable to put the ball in the back of the net, depsite numerous attacks and some creative play. However, vice captain KIM DOWNS eventually found the net shortly before half time with a fine shot to give the Red & Blacks a 1-0 lead.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Ashford’s player of the match SAM CLAREY playing prompting well, but the Red & Blacks unable to find the back of the net. Almost inevitably the visitors took adavantage when a momentarily lapse of concentration at the back let them into equalise. Ashford rallied though and ELIZE BROWN notched the winner after a good cross from the right to give them a desreved 2-1 victory.

Team: C. Pouler, D. Brown, J. English, H. Busby, H. Stokes (Skipper), S. Westlake, P. Shoebridge, K. Downs, E. Brown, H. Mock, S. Clarey, G. Pyle, B. Hewes

Unfortunately at present we are still unable to resolve the on-going problems we have with installing the AHC Fixture List for the coming season on this website. Copies of the start times for most matches are available via the AHC and related Clubs sites on Fixtures Live (www.fixtureslive.com) and there is a link available to this website on the ‘Links’ tab above. They are also displayed on the Club Notice Board. We will endeavour to get things sorted out ASAP.

We had only two League games today and they were in Division Four, both at home and both were played in almost sweltering conditions. The 4th XI played first against Old Uxonians 1st XI. Unfortunately they only had nine players for the first half and were 4-0 down at the break, despite some fine saves from stand in goalkeeper Kim Downs. Ashford regrouped in the second half though and gained another player, and kept the visitors at bay in the second half and to make the final score at 4-0. Georgina Sutch was voted player of the match.

The 3rd XI played next against Winchmore Hill & Enfield 3rd team and were able to call from a squad of twelve players. They started their first game in Division 4 in splendid fashion by scoring very quickly from a short corner when Laura Quinn pounced on a rebound. Ashford went further ahead when Kim Downs slipped home another goal from a short corner to put the Red & Blacks 2-0 up. The visitors then opened their account via an Ashford defensive error and the score remained at 2-1 until half time . Ashford really showed their strength in the second half with further goals, the first two coming from Wendy Baker with a straight strike following yet another short corner and one from open play. Near the end of the game, Freddie Newman scored the fifth and final goal from close in to make it a resounding 5-1 win for Ashford. Laura Quinn was voted player of the match for her creative play, whilst newcomer Holly Busby and the ever running Polly Shoebridge both also polled several votes. The win puts the 3rd team at the top of the League after one round of games.

Ashford qualified for the final of the B team Summer League by securing several good wins over the last few weeks competition. In the Final Old Uxonians A were their opponents and in an even game, the Red & Blacks eventually broke the deadlock when Lucy Uttley set up Kim Downs with an easy chance which Kim tapped home to put Ashford 1-0 up. The second half followed a similar pattern and an unfortunate Ashford own goal saw made the scores even. Ashford rallied though and the on form Lucy Uttley went on one of her mazy runs and once again set up Kim Downs, who kept her cool to net her second goal of the game and the winner for Ashford. Thus Hannah Stokes and her squad became the first Ashford Ladies summer team to win in a final. Congratulations to all.

Summer training for members of the Ladies senior sides starts on Tuesday 14th July at 8pm and will last one hour. Sessions will be run by Mandy and take place on the hard play area as last year and will continue on every Tuesday evening until the end of August. All current and new palyers very welcome.

Middelesx League Division Three

28/2/09 Winchmore Hill & Enfield 3rd XI 3 v Ashford 3rd XI 1

Report written by Tracey Holland
Ashford 3s faced a tough game what with so many of their regular squad unavailable this week and they were extremely grateful to Doreen, Anna, Nicola, Jane and Georgina for stepping up into the 3s so that the game was able to go ahead. So with the bare 11 they set up for the lengthy trip to Southbury Corner.

The first goal came from Ashford following great move from Abi Cowell down the right, switching to Elize Brown for a shot from the P-spot which hit the post but fortunately rebounded in the goal.

WH&E equalized with a slightly messy goal after much pressure in the D.

Going into the second half at 1-1, a defensive error saw WH&E put the score at 2-1. Becky Hewes made her debut at Centre Midfield and cut out numerous attacks and deservedly got Player of the Match. Unfortunately against the run of play WH&E then nicked another goal to put the score at 3-1.

Team: Jenni Routledge, Megan Connell, Doreen Brown, Jane English, Anna Davis-Hale, Abi Cowell, Becky Hewes, Elize Brown, Kim Downs (Captain), Nicola Humphries and Georgina Sutch.

The Ladies Summer Hockey League has now been finalised, and will commence on Tuesday 10th June and matches will all be played at Short Lane on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, finishing on Thursday 14^th August. We have eight teams participating, including Ashford A and B teams. As previously it will be run on a two league format with two finals. The format will be:

League A

(Prem/Div 1 standard) will consist of:

• AHC A (1/2s players)
• Eastcote A
• Staines
• Teddington

League B

(Div 3/4/5 standard) will consist of:

• AHC B (3/4 players)
• Eastcote B
• Hayes
• Walton & Weybridge

Tracey Holland will be running the A side and Hannah Stokes the B side. The AHC fixtures are shown on the side bar of the website. All current players should already have been contacted about their availabilty and if you haven’t, please contact Luvvy.