Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Ashford Hockey Club will be held at Short Lane on Thursday 15th May 2008 at 7.30pm.

A copy of the Agenda for the meeting plus the minutes of the previous AGM (June 2007) have been e-mailed/forwarded to all paid up Club members.

If you have not recieved a copy, please e-mail the secretary@ashfordhockeyclub.co.uk or contact her at the usual number as shown in the fixture card.

The AGM is the opportunity for everyone to hear about the current developments within the club and at Short Lane and to raise questions or comments on them. As a result, it is important that everyone attends so that nay proposals adopted are a true refelction of the members feelings.

Please make every effort to attend.

Ladies League Hockey 5/4/08

Middlesex Premier

Mill Hill 1^st XI 3 v Ashford 1st XI 3  For their last game of the season, Ashford Ladies1st XI had to make an early start to travel to north London to face Mill Hill 1^st XI at midday last Saturday.  The Red & Blacks were without skilful regular squad members KATIE GREENE, LIV YOUNG, and injured defender SOPHIE SMART.  However, coach MANDY WAIN was able to welcome back key, star defenders EMMA HYNES and JACKIE PARSONS.  She also recalled defender KAREN FOWLER to the squad and called up forward HAILEY EAMES to make her first team debut.  The long journey didn’t seem to affect Ashford as they scored first, when STACEY KENWARD volunteered to take her first ever penalty flick for the Club, when the Red & Blacks were awarded one early in the game.  STACEY calmly stepped forward and put the ball high and to the right of the home team keeper to put Ashford 1-0 up.  Mill Hill soon hit back though to make the score even at 1-1.  Continued pressure by Ashford then led to several forays on the Mill Hill goalmouth which resulted in Ashford gaining a short corner.  A slightly different routine saw STACEY KENWARD being slipped the ball on the left and her strike hitting the post, but the ever alert, young midfielder ANNA PROTHEROE was on hand to strike the ball home and put Ashford in the lead again by 2 goals to 1.  Despite being ahead, Ashford were not playing very coordinated hockey and their rhythm and cohesive team work was missing.  At one stage, Ashford even managed to hit the right upright of their own goal, with one of their own clearances and thus almost scored an own goal.  Luckily the Ashford keeper SAM GRANT was in excellent form and thwarted many of the attacks Mil Hill were mounting with a series of excellent, nimble saves.   After the break Ashford were again not able to find their true form and the Mill Hill pressure saw them saw score a bit of a dubious goal to equalise shortly after the start of the half.  Once again the Red & Blacks hit back with some better hockey and telling runs and crosses from debutant HAILEY EAMES, which unfortunately were not converted in front of goal.  However, another short corner led to Ashford taking the lead once more.  A shot from hard hitting sweeper JACKIE PARSONS was once again swept home by the lively ANNA PROTHEROE to put the happy Red & Blacks 3-2 up.  Yet again Mill Hill hit back to score a good equaliser and they almost snatched a winner near the end, but aided by a full length dive across the goal by the brave EMMA HYNES, Ashford kept MILL HILL at bay and secured an away draw.  The result means that the Red & Blacks, after a poor first half to the season, finished in a respectable eight place in the League.  After a good second half to the season, coach MANDY WAIN is very optimistic that the team will be challenging for promotion next season.  

Team; S. Grant (GK), K.Fowler, E, Hynes, H Eames, K. Fry, A. Protheroe, J Parsons, P Worsfold, S McGinley, L. Samouel (Skipper), J Bashford, T Holland, S Kenward.

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

The Ladies 4th XI have a rearranged Middlesex League match v Staines Ladies 5th XI (away) at Feltham Community School this coming Saturday 29/3/08 at 11.30am.

In addition, on Saturday April 12th Bruce Cotton’s testamonial game AHC Legends (Men’s and a smattering of Ladies) v AHC Colts of 1994 will be played at Short Lane at 1.30pm and will be followed by an Ashford Antiques (AA’s) game v Windsor Royalists at 3.0pm.

Both matches will be very much social events, especially Bruce’s game; so if you aren’t playing please come along and give Pauline, Bruce and the girls a good send off before they emmigrate down under this summer, and also give the AA’s a cheer as well.

Player of Match:
Katie Greene

Ashford always knew that their home game against second in the League side Hampstead & Westminster 2^nd XI on Saturday, was going to be tough, even if they had been able to field their full normal squad. However, a bad hand injury to key, and very much in form full back Sophie Smart, during a mixed cup game last Sunday, plus the absence of star sweeper JACKIE PARSONS and regular other full back EMMA HYNES; left Ashford without any of their regular back line. Coach MANDY WAIN had no choice therefore, but to shuffle round the team and also to call up KAREN FOWLER from the 2^nd XI to make her first team debut and moved skilful midfielder KATIE GREENE back to play sweeper. The visitor’s mean time appeared to have no such injury problems, and attacked Ashford from the very start of the game and they opened the scoring within five minutes of play from a well worked short corner routine. Things didn’t get any better for the Red & Blacks as the half progressed as the visitors took full control of the game. Ashford were not surprisingly struggling with their very much changed back line and midfield. Further problems arose as midfielder TRACEY HOLLAND continued to suffer with her back problems and wasn’t able to play to play in much of the game. By half time, the visitors had managed to hammer home four more goals, several from further short corners, to take what looked like an unassailable five nil lead at the interval.

Things went from bad to worse for Ashford on the injury front in the second half as firstly young defender ANNA PROTHEROE, got injured and had to be substituted. This was followed by a nasty blow to Kiwi defender KIM FRY, who got hit in the face by the ball as she bravely ran out to defend yet another Hampstead & Westminster short corner. Luckily it wasn’t a blood injury, but she had to leave the field and the already injured defender, ANNA PROTHEROE had to come back on to play. Despite their on-going problems, things did improve slightly for Ashford as the players settled into their new defensive roles and goal keeper SAM GRANT saved a penalty flick, to help keep the visitors in check a bit more. The constant pressure eventually told though and the visitors managed to score another three goals to run out worthy winners by eight goals to nil.

There are no League matches for any of the Ashford sides next week due to the Easter holidays, and then the 1^st XI Ladies have a League rest week, before playing their last game of the season on Saturday April 5^th. It will be a tough fixture as they face third placed Mill Hill 1^st XI away. However, the break should give the player’s time to recover from their injuries and coach MANDY WAIN will have a full, fit squad to select from.

Team
S. Grant (GK), K.Fowler, K Greene, K. Fry, A. Protheroe, P Worsfold, S McGinley, A Donelan, L. Samouel (Skipper), J Bashford, O. Young, T Holland, S Kenward.

Player of the Match:
Sam Grant

Last Saturday, Ashford not only had to contend with the fact that they were playing top of the table team Teddington Ladies 2_nd XI, but they had to do it without two of their star and most consistent players, namely sweeper JACKIE PARSONS and midfield dynamo KATIE GREEN. Ashford Coach MANDY WAIN thus had to rearrange the defence and she decided to move full back SOPHIE SMART over to play sweeper and midfielder PHIL WORSFOLD back to play at left back. The good news was that the Red & blacks were able to welcome back both regular striker LIV YOUNG and versatile defender ALI DONELAN, and that the game was being played at Ashford, albeit at the slightly later start time of 3pm. Not surprisingly, it was the young Teddington squad, who haven’t lost any of the sixteen Middlesex league games they had played so far this season, who started the game full of confidence. In fact they caught Ashford rather flat footed from the first push back and scored their opening goal within under three minutes of play to take the lead 1-0. The impressive start was followed up with some good hockey from the fit and very determined Teddington youngsters, but the Red & Blacks managed to stabilise things in defence. In particular, goalkeeper SAM GRANT was in fine form, and she helped to prevent any further goals from being scored until shortly before half time, when the visitors managed to secure their second goal from close in.

In the second half, Ashford managed some solid attacks and were very unlucky not to be awarded a penalty flick when striker SHARON McGINLEY was rather unceremoniously upended in the visitors goalmouth. The whole Ashford team kept working well together though and despite being under pressure, they kept their spirits up. Unfortunately the multiple skills, continual running and streetwise tactics of the young visitors squad, who have improved since they played Ashford earlier in the season, began to take it toll and they scored another two goals to take an unassailable 4-0 lead by the middle of the second half. Once again the Red & Blacks picked themselves up though and much hard work was got through by midfielders TRACEY HOLLAND, STACEY KENWARD, LAURA SAMOUEL, JAQUI BASHFORD and ANNA PROTOROE. In addition, up front LIV YOUNG and SHARON McGINLEY kept running and trying to find means of penetrating the visitor’s defence, which resulted in the Red & Blacks securing three short corners in fairly quick succession near the end oo the game. As much as they tried though, Ashford couldn’t get any real threatening shots on goal and as legs tired, they conceded two more late goals, to make the final score 6-0 to Teddington.

Next week Ashford are at home again, playing at the more normal start time of 12noon, against Hampstead & Westminster 2_nd XI who are currently second in the Division and have only lost three league games all season. However, the Red & Blacks still have everything to play for and despite the heavy defeat, they played some good hockey and kept their team work and confidence levels up through out the game and they will be aiming to gain some more league points against the north London side.

Team:
S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, E. Hynes, K. Fry, A. Protheroe, P Worsfold, S McGinley, A Donelan, L. Samouel (Skipper), J Bashford, O. Young, T Holland, S Kenward.

Saturday 8th March 2008

Please note that the Ladies 1st XI fixture v Teddington Ladies 2nd XI will now be played at 3pm, the Mens 4th XI game v Harrow 2nd XI at 4.30pm and the Mens 6th XI v Amersham & Chalfont St Peter 5thXI has been cancelled by the opposition.

In their seventeenth League game of the season, Ashford Ladies 1st XI played host to the team who were one place and two points ahead of them, Harrow 2^nd XI at Short Lane on Saturday. Ashford were able to welcome back defenders KIM FRY and ANNA PROTHOROE to help boost the squad, but were without young, speedy, striker LIV YOUNG.

In pleasant playing conditions, Harrow took the initiative at the start of the game, by playing a very attacking format of four strikers up front. This put Ashford on the back foot for the first fifteen minutes of the game as the north London visitors mounted numerous attacks on the home side goal. The Red & Blacks weathered the storm though with stalwart defending from the ever reliable back five of goalkeeper SAM GRANT, sweeper JACKIE PARSONS and full and centre backs SOPHIE SMART, EMMA HYNES and KIM FRY. In addition, their ever improving team work enabled Ashford to slowly get back into the game with some good interchanges in midfield and hard running from all. Although the strikers and midfield players tried hard, especially SHARON McGINLEY, who was playing slightly deeper than normal and wide midfielder JACQUI BASHFORD, who was playing despite a heavy cold, they were unable to find the back of the net as the half progressed. Ashford were given a scare on the stroke of half time though, as Harrow were awarded a short corner and they brought all ten of their outfield players up to the Ashford goal circle, as they attempted to open the scoring. The Ashford defence stood tall though and they cleared the danger to keep the score line blank at half time.

The second half saw Ashford controlling the game more as the team blended well to thwart any Harrow attacks and build plenty of their own. Mid way through the half the telling runs and stunning close control, of star Red & Blacks midfielder KATIE GREENE, who has been on fire from wise in the second half of the season, saw her stroking another superb, cross field, through ball. This time it went to striker SHARON McGINLEY, who headed off down the right wing to the back line, where she cut in and struck for goal, her first attempt was blocked and her second was partly scrambled away to the ever alert STACEY KENWARD, who struck the ball home from close in to put Ashford 1-0 ahead. Ashford endeavoured to add to their lead but were unable to do so, and in the last few seconds of the game, history repeated itself as Harrow again got a short corner on the stroke of full time. Once again the visitors brought all ten of their outfield players up, as they attempted to secure an equaliser, Ashford managed to clear their lines yet again, and hold onto their lead and notch up their fifth League win of the season.

The result sees Ashford move up to sixth position, with three games remaining, and the bottom Club unable to catch them points wise. Next week the Red & Blacks entertain top of the table side Teddington 2^nd XI at Short Lane at 3pm, in what will be a very tough fixture as the “Teddy bears,” have so far not lost a League game all season.

However, there is no reason that Ashford should fear them as the Red & Black’s team work and spirit is second to none at present, and coach Mandy Wain has installed a new confidence and belief into all the squad members and is honing their hockey skills superbly in their run into the end of the season.

Team
S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, E. Hynes, K. Fry, A. Protheroe, P Worsfold, J. Parsons, S McGinley, K Greene, L. Samouel (Skipper), J Bashford, T Holland, S Kenward.

Player of the Match:
Katie greene and Sharon Mc ginley

Middlesex Premier League

Player of the Match:
Katie Greene

For their trip to Shepherd’s Bush to face PHC Chiswick 1^st XI last Saturday, Ashford were without regular midfielder/defender ANNA PROTHEROE, who was still suffering with the injury she got in last week’s big win.However, they were able to welcome back regular midfielder STACEY KENWARD after her short winter break, and also add 2^nd XI stalwart ALI DONELAN to their thirteen player squad.Ashford seemed to like the chilly, yet sunny conditions as they opened the game strongly and quickly put the home team’s defence under pressure.Their ventures up the field soon created a chance in the PHC Chiswick’s circle, but the Red & Blacks were unable to muster a decent shot at goal and the home team cleared their lines and created an attack of their own. Their attacks were calmly dealt with though by the Red & Blacks defence, with sweeper JACKIE PARSONS performing particularly well.The solid teamwork and spirit of Ashford was again playing dividends as the whole team combined well to move the ball swiftly round the pitch and between each other, resulting in shots on goal by strikers LIV YOUNG and SHARON McGINLEY.Ashford then secured their first short corner of the game, which was cleanly and decisively slotted home, by sweeper JACKIE PARSONS to deservedly put Ashford 1-0 up after eleven minutes of play.Five minutes later, Ashford deservedly went 2-0 up, when some skilful play on the right by the effervescent midfielder KATIE GREENE, saw her neatly pass the ball to skipper LAURA SAMOUEL on the left of the circle.LAURA swiftly took the ball towards the back line and cleverly reversed swept it past the oncoming defenders, back to Katie who was free and in space, in front of goal.KATIE duly slotted the easy chance home to put the Red & Blacks two ahead.The second Ashford goal seemed to stir the home team into action and they hit back shortly after, by scoring their first goal of the game after a melee in front of the Red & Blacks net. This was followed up by a well struck short corner, which Ashford sweeper JACKIE PARSONS cleared off the goal line.As Chiswick found their rhythm, they piled on the attacks and one break away on the right saw Ashford concede a penalty flick.A Chiswick defender stepped up to swiftly slot the stroke low and to the right of the Ashford keeper SAM GRANT, to score the equaliser after twenty five minutes of play in the first half.

After the interval, the home side played the more dominant hockey, with their thrust full forwards pinning the Ashford defence back for long periods of the half.The Red & Blacks continued to work hard though and on a tiring pitch surface, midfielder and ‘player of the match’ KATIE GREENE, showed some deft touches and made some incisive runs into the PHC Chiswick defence and goalmouth.Both sides had chances to score as the half progressed and gained numerous short corners each, but neither side were able to convert any of them.The score thus remained at 2-2 until full time, enabling the Red & Blacks to gain their first League away point in 2008, which pleased both the team and coach MANDY WAIN.There aren’t any Middlesex League fixtures next Saturday, so Ashford’s next Ladies 1^st XI game isn’t until March 1^st.They are then at home to Harrow 1^st XI, in what should be a close game as the visitors are only one place above them in the League with two more points.

Team;
S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, E. Hynes, P Worsfold, J. Parsons, S McGinley, K Greene, L. Samouel (Skipper), O. Young, J Bashford, T Holland, S Kenward, A Donelan.

Player of the Match:
Phil Worsfold

Ashford were able to field the same squad of twelve players as last week, for their home fixture against fourth placed Eastcote 2^nd XI on Saturday. In lovely, sunny conditions, the Red & Blacks got off to the perfect start via nibble midfielder KATIE GREENE. KATIE used her natural speed, stick skills and excellent close control to dribble past several defenders on the right, cut into the circle and strike an angled shot to score a super opening goal after only a few minutes or so of play. Ashford followed up their surprise opening goal with a second not long after, when JACKIE PARSONS scored form a short corner which LIV YOUNG controlled and slipped to Jackie on the edge of the circle. JACKIE calmly pinged the ball into the back of the net to make the score 2-0 to an elated Ashford side.

The visitors then came more into the game and after one short corner, defender ANNA PROTHOROE tried to block a hard strike and the ball hit the top of her right foot full on, causing it to swell badly. Anna had to be helped off the pitch and was taken to hospital to see what damage had been done. Coach MANDY WAIN accordingly re-arranged the Ashford team, who were now down to eleven fit players only. As the Red & Blacks readjusted, Eastcote struck back when one of their defenders converted well from another one of their short corners to make the score 2-1. Ashford were not in any mood for a defeat though and with some further dominate play, they soon struck back with a third goal. This time it was the ever alert forward SHARON McGLINLEY who picked up on a rebound from the Eastcote keeper and she jumped clear of the advancing tackles to put the ball into the net to stretch Ashford’s lead to 3-1. By now the whole team were combining well with LAURA SAMOUEL, PHIL WORSFOLD and EMMA HYNES getting through a lot work, and it wasn’t surprising when they created a fourth goal shortly before half time. This time it was youngster LIV YOUNG who picked up the ball on the left at the top of the circle and she slotted it home inside the far post to put Ashford 4-1 up at half time.

The second half continued in a similar vein, but unfortunately the Red & Blacks suffered another injury, when skipper LAURA SAMOUEL got a nasty blow to her hand and she had to come off the pitch for treatment. Ashford were thus down to ten fit players only and the visitors again took advantage, when one for their full backs worked her way up the pitch and slotted home a neat goal to bring the score to 4-2. Despite not being able to hold her stick properly, skipper LAURA SAMOUEL, soon bravely returned to the fray and put Ashford back up to eleven players and helped to restore their domination of the game. The score then remained at 4-2 to Ashford until full time and saw the Red & Blacks notch up their best win of the season and the one of their best team performances since new coach MANDY WAIN took over. Next Saturday Ashford have to travel to Hammersmith to play the team two places (but only three points ahead of them), PHC Chiswick 1^st XI. It will be another difficult game, especially if the injured players haven’t fully recovered, but with their confidence running high Ashford will be hopeful of scoring some more goals and gaining another three valuable League points.

Team;
S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, E. Hynes, P Worsfold, A. Protheroe, J. Parsons, S McGlinley, K Greene, L. Samouel (Skipper), O. Young, J Bashford, T Holland

I have added 12 excellent action photographs taken by Mr Dave Burd (father of one of the home teams players), to the Ladies 1st XI Games 2008 folder in the Photos section.

Thanks are due to Dave for both his ace photographic skills and for kindly forwarding them to AHC.

Enjoy.

Ashford had to make the long trip to Enfield on Saturday to play the team who were two places below them in the League Winchmore Hill & Enfield 1^st XI.

Due to a large number of players being unavailable to play throughout the Club, coach MANDY WAIN had only a squad of twelve regular players to work with.

Despite the long journey and very cold, raw conditions, the Red & Blacks started the game strongly and mounted numerous attacks on the home team’s goal in the opening ten minutes of play.In fact, Ashford secured two short corners within the first seven minutes, and although they didn’t get a shot in from the first, a good exchange between JACKIE PARSONS and LIV YOUNG on the second, saw LIV hit the post with her angled shot.

The short corners were supplemented with a trade mark thundering shot from stalwart PARSONS, which was well saved by the north Londoner’s goalkeeper. As the game progressed Ashford continued to move forward and the almost solitary attack by the home side, after fifteen minutes of play, was well cleared by Ashford keeper SAM GRANT. Further attacks including a good run and cross on the right from JACQUI BASHFORD, and a sweeping shot from youngster ANNA PROTHEROE, saw the Red & Blacks again coming close to opening the scoring. The introduction of the skilful Ashford midfielder KATIE GREENE gave the Red & Blacks further attacking options, and after one particular mazy dribble into the circle, KATIE’S reverse sweep shot was again saved. This was followed by Ashford hitting the post once again when a JACKIE PARSON’S strike hit the far post and went out of play.

When it seemed that it would only be a matter of time before Ashford scored, they suffered a killer blow when the home side gained their first short corner of the game. The first strike was saved, but Ashford somehow failed to clear their lines and the home side followed up on the second rebound to open the scoring. A now somewhat subdued Ashford did fight back and once again they went close to scoring when the forwards just failed to connect with a good sweeping cross into the circle, from the left, by midfielder PHIL WORSFOLD. Just before half time Ashford suffered once again, when the home side broke away and scored a simple goal to take a somewhat undeserved 2-0 lead.

After the interval Ashford continued to mount some attacks and KATIE GREENE went inches wide with one of her strikes and the ever running LIV YOUNG just failed to get the ball in the net after a good team move. Unfortunately the usual solid Red & Blacks was breached once again midway through the second half when Winchmore scored a third goal. Ashford rallied though and did eventually score a good goal when ANNA PROTHEROE interjected out a good short corner, which the ever reliable short corner striker JACKIE PARSONS, hit neatly inside the near post to make the score 3-1. Further attacks from host side followed, with one being cleared off the Ashford goal line. Despite their efforts though, Ashford had to accept their 3-1 defeat and now have a tough relegation fight and a home game next week against fourth in the League side Eastcote 2^nd XI.

Team;
S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, E. Hynes, P Worsfold, A. Protheroe, J. Parsons, S McGlinley, K Greene, L. Samouel (Skipper), O. Young, J Bashford, T Holland

AHC Social Function

Saturday 9th February AHC’s first ever Barn Dance 7/7.30pm until late

With a professional caller to talk us through the dances!

TICKETS - £5 available from Wendy or Captains. Email Wendy on ahcsocial@hotmail.co.uk

Goal Scorer:
Jackie Parsons

Player of the Match:
Jacqui Bashford

It was derby day at Short Lane on Saturday as Ashford entertained local rivals and neighbours Staines. The Red & Blacks were able to welcome back regular goalkeeper SAM GRANT and midfielder STACEY KENWARD, who both had fully recovered from recent injuries’. In fact, with the exception of KATIE GREENE, coach MANDY WAIN had the ful, regular, first team squad available for the game.

In bright conditions and in front of a relatively large crowd, the home side Ashford started well. The fluent team work, adventurous attacking format and ever increasing confidence on the ball were again in evidence in the opening part of the game. It therefore was too unexpected when after fifteen minutes or so of play, Ashford opened the scoring. A quick through ball from skipper LAURA SAMOUEL just outside the Staines circle, found sweeper JACKIE PARSONS who had moved up the field to aid the attack. JACKIE let the ball run into the circle, then spun round cleverly and swept it into the back of the visitors net, to put the Red & Blacks one goal ahead. Despite the early Ashford dominance, Staines hung on for the rest of the half and showed determination and skills of their own, as Ashford sat back a little on their early lead.

The second half saw the Red & Blacks trying to up the pace again, prompted well by their midfielders. Best amongst them was Ashford player of the match JACQUI BASHFORD, whose numerous neat touches, jab tackles and endless running on and off the ball down right flank were causing lots of problems for the visitors. The forwards were also doing well with youngster LIV YOUNG using her speed and silky stick skills harass the Staines defence and also to combine well with fellow striker SHARON McGLINLEY to mount numerous attacks. Surprisingly though, the home team’s pressure didn’t result in them gaining any short corners during the entire match.

As the game moved into the final quarter, Staines upped their game and pressed hard for the equaliser, and after several attacks they secured a short corner. They took it well, but the Ashford keeper SAM GRANT saved the shot and stalwart defenders EMMA HYNES and SOPHIE SMART helped to clear the Ashford lines. The Red & Blacks then rallied a little, but were unable to add to their lead and opted to play some safety hockey in the closing ten minutes of the game to retain their narrow lead. They did, and thus secured three more valuable league points and their second clean sheet and victory in the four games they have played so far in 2008.

Not surprisingly, the team, coach MANDY WAIN and the home supporters were all very pleased with the victory, which was a just reward for their improved form and cohesive team work. Next Saturday the Red & Blacks have to travel to north London to face Winchmore Hill & Enfield 1^st XI, who are two places below them in the League. It is another vital game for Ashford as they try to continue with their steady climb up the League table. Hopefully Coach MANDY WAIN will have a full squad of players to pick the team and that they will continue to work hard on their team work and goal scoring prowess.

Team:
S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, K. Fry, E. Hynes, P Worsfold, A. Protheroe, J. Parsons, S McGlinley, L. Samouel (Skipper), O. Young, J Bashford, S. Kenward, T Holland