Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

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

Goal Scorers:
Anna Prothoroe, Sharon Mc Glinley.

Man of the Match:
Emma Hynes.

Ashford had to make an early start on Saturday for their 10.30am game away to sixth in the league team, Hendon.

Ashford coach MANDY WAIN was able to add regular midfielders KATIE GREENE and TRACEY HOLLAND to last week’s victorious out field squad.

However, an injury to regular goalkeeper SAM GRANT, gave an unexpected opportunity for young starlet keeper SARAH STEDEFORD, who has recently returned to the Club, to make her first team debut. The game started in atrociously wet conditions, but Ashford’s spirits were high and they continued to play their new system backed up with some solid team work. The game was fairly even for the first quarter, with the home team playing some rather dour, fairly physical hockey.

However, after eighteen minutes of play Ashford found a way through the Hendon defence, when they managed to convert a short corner.

ANNA PROTHOROE hit the corner out to fellow youngster LIV YOUNG, who struck a straight strike on goal.

The home team keeper blocked the shot, but the ever alert ANNA put the rebound in the net from a narrow angle on the left.

Ashford weren’t able to build on their lead though, and a lapse at the back by the Red & Blacks let the home team in for an equaliser shortly before half time.

The rain was still falling at the start of the second half, which followed a similar pattern to the first, in that Ashford scored first.

Once again, good team work helped to put SHARON McGLINLEY free on right, back line of the circle, and she cleverly scooped the ball past the Hendon keeper into the far corner of the net. Unfortunately Hendon hit straight back with a good goal of their own, to make the score 2-2.

Ashford continued to work hard as they strived to secure the winning goal, with defenders, and in particular full back and Player of the Match EMMA HYNES and debutant keeper SARAH STEDEFORD, playing well.

Likewise the midfield were also combining well and making some fine interceptions to keep the game flowing.

Unfortunately a late lapse by Ashford saw Hendon score a break away goal, which Ashford keeper bravely got a hand to, but it landed in the top corner of the Ashford net, to secure victory for the north London side by three goals to two.

Next Saturday the Red & Blacks are at home at 12 noon, to near neighbours Staines 3^rd XI, who are rooted at the base of the League table.

It is a vital game for Ashford who really need to secure more points to move out of the relegation zone and up the table.

Coach MANDY WAIN is optimistic though that with the improvements made by the team in the recent weeks, the good team spirit and keen competition for places in the squad, the victories will come.

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

Goalscorers:
Jackie Parsons, Sharon McGlinley, Liv Young

Man of match:
Sophie Smart

In their opening league game for 2008, Ashford Ladies 1^st XI entertained Hampstead & Westminster 3^rd XI at Short Lane on Saturday.

Unfortunately, once again squad player and 1B standard umpire, TRACEY HOLLAND had to step down from playing to help officiate the game.

In addition, a late cry off from one Ashford player and injury to midfield regular STACEY KENWARD, reduced the squad to eleven players only.

However, a slightly new team format and system was tried by coach MANDY WAIN and it worked from the off, with everyone pulling together and playing some good team hockey.

The opposition also started well though and the game was very even for most of the first half.

In particular the Ashford back row of defenders SOPHIE SMART, EMMA HYNES and KIM FRY marked the Hendon forwards very closely, thus thwarting many of their attacks, whilst sweeper JACKIE PARSONS was enjoying her slightly more forward role and options.

The rest of the team were also performing well, with skipper LAURA SAMOUEL and midfielder PHIL WORSFIELD both having probably their best games of the season.

The positive attitude and approach by Ashford paid off shortly before half time, when a corner was injected from the left to the right hand side of the goal circle and switched back to striker JACKIE PARSONS.

JACKIE cleverly scooped the ball into the net and onto the backboard to secure a 1-0 lead for Ashford. The second half followed a similar pattern with both sides pressing for goals and Ashford playing some excellent team hockey to hang onto their slender lead. Almost midway through the half though, the Red & Blacks struck again from another short corner.

This time JACKIE PARSONS tried a straight strike from the push out which was initially saved by the Hendon keeper, but the ever alert Ashford striker SHARON McGLINCHEY followed up on the rebound to put the ball in the net and Ashford 2-0 up.

The Red & Blacks were now full of confidence and ten minutes later youngsters ANNA PROTHEROE and striker LIV YOUNG combined well, and LIV’s speculative shot from the edge of circle deceived the Hendon keeper and went into the net to take the score 3-0 to the home side.

The game was not over though and six minutes from the end the Red & Blacks goalkeeper SAM GRANT got injured, but she battled on and managed to keep the team’s first clean sheet of the season.

Thus it was a jubilant Ashford side who celebrated the final whistle and a well deserved 3-0 victory.

Next Saturday the 1^st XI Ladies have to travel to Hendon, who are only two places above them in the league and have only three points more, and on current form a win and further movement up the table is a realistic prospect.

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

Goal scorers:
Laura Samouel

As an opener for 2008, Ashford Ladies1st XI, faced a young Guildford 2^nd XI in a friendly game at Ashford on Saturday.

Ashford had several regular players, namely EMMA HYNES, KATIE GREENE and ALISON DONELAN, missing and youngster KIM DOWNS was drafted into the squad late on Friday night to make her first eleven debut.

Not surprisingly both sides were a little rusty and the game started somewhat slowly, with Guildford being the more dominant side.

In fact they took the lead after only six minutes of play when they scored following up from a short corner which did not appear to be fully controlled.

The goal appeared to wake the Red & Blacks up a little and they created a good attack down the right through JACQUI BASHFORD, which was later followed by a good effort by SHARON McGLINEY that went just wide.

Almost mid way through the first half the visitors scored their second goal from a free hit just outside the circle that was soundly hit home to make the score 2-0.

Undaunted by the second goal, Ashford prompted well by midfielder ANNA PROTHEROE and defenders JACKIE PARSONS and SOPHIE SMART, got back into the game well.

Eventually their hard work paid off when slick team work left skipper LARA SAMOUEL with an easy strike to score the first Ashford Ladies goal in 2008 and to make the score 2-1 to the visitors.

The play in the second half followed a similar pattern to the first, with the visitors combining well and working as a team.

However, Ashford goalkeeper SAM GRANT made several good saves to keep the visitors at bay.

In addition, JACKIE PARSONS stopped a well struck strike from a short corner on the goal line, and cleared the ball up the field.

Ashford tried hard to score an equaliser, but they were unable to penetrate the solid Guildford defence, so the score remained at 2-1 to Guilford.

As the game drew to a close, Ashford midfield STACEY KENWARD went over on her right ankle and had to be carried off for treatment and both Captains and the umpires decided to finish the game a few minutes early.

Thus Ashford started the New Year with a narrow defeat.

The Middlesex league programme for the Premier League starts again next weekend and Ashford 1^st XI have a home game against Hampstead & Westminster 3^rd XI at Short Lane at 12 noon.

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

Ashford entertained Mill Hill 1st XI at Short Lane on Saturday and although skipper LAURA SAMOUEL was still injured, coach MANDY WAIN was able to field a squad of thirteen players. It was particularly good for Ashford to be able to welcome back former 1st XI regular PHIL WORSFOLD who had unfortunately been out for well over a year with a long term knee problem. The game started in a lively mode and the visitors obtained a short corner after only two minutes of play that Ashford easily coped with. Not long after Ashford got a short corner themselves but they also failed to convert it. The Red & Blacks then followed up with some more attacking moves and secured another short corner which unfortunately striker LIV YOUNG just failed to control well enough to get a good shot in. After fifteen minutes of play Ashford got a third short corner and this time striker SHARON McGLINCHEY struck for goal but it was cleared by the visitors. Further pressure from Ashford following some skilful runs from midfielder KATIE GREENE and the ever improving ANNA PROTHEROE resulted in the ball being struck across the front of the Mill Hill goal with three Red & Blacks players free in the goalmouth. Unfortunately none of them were able to convert the chance and the game remained goal less. Mill Hill then broke away at the other end and the Ashford keeper SAM GRANT came out well to smother the forward’s attack on goal. The Red & blacks retaliated with a shot from KATIE GREENE being well saved. Ashford were by now well in control of a rather low key game, but were getting frustrated with some of the decisions and their own lack of finishing power; which wasn’t helped at the very end of the half when a finely struck free hit by STACEY KENWARD from the right of the visitors goalmouth wasn’t converted. Thus at the end of a half which saw Ashford on top, the score remained goal less.

After the change round the visitors played more constructively from the off, and after only four minutes of play they capitalised on some poor defending by Ashford and scored the first goal of the game. The goal encouraged the visitors to continue with their good team work and they scored another after a further four minutes of open play. Ashford eventually started to wake up from their half time slumbers after coach MANDY WAIN moved veteran sweeper JACKIE PARSONS up from the back to add her skills, striking power and finesse to back up the forward line. The move worked and JACKIE created problems for the visitors. Her presence also enabled KATIE GREENE to be more creative and a good move from KATIE on the left saw her put striker SHARON McGLINCHEY through with only the goalkeeper to beat. SHARON duly slotted the ball home to put Ashford back in the game. The visitors weren’t thwarted though and continued to threaten the Red & Blacks defence, but keeper SAM GRANT kept them well at bay. Despite more forays and moving more players playing up front and JACKIE PARSONS brushing the left hand post from a fine strike from a short corner shortly before the end of the game, the score remained at a very disappointing 2-1 to the visitors at full time. The Middlesex league programme for the Premier League has now finished for the Xmas break and resumes again on 11/1/08 in what will be a tough second half of the season for the Ashford.

Team:
S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, K. Fry, P Worsfold, A. Protheroe, K. Greene, J. Parsons, S McGlinley, S. Kenward, O. Young, J Basford, A. Donelan, T. Holland

After a weeks break Ashford recommenced their Premier league programme with an away fixture at Harrow, the club one place above them in the league. Due to work commitments, coach MANDY WAIN wasn’t able to travel with the team and things were became even more disruptive before the game for the Red & Blacks, when it was discovered that goalkeeper SAM GRANT had left a vital personal part of her equipment back in her car at Ashford. Thus one of the squad was dispatched back to collect it, whilst the rest of the team and SAM warmed up as best they could.

The set backs did not seem to affect Ashford too much though as they played some good flowing hockey in the first quarter of what was a very open game. The return of youngster LIV YOUNG up front brought a bit more punch to the Red & Blacks front line, whilst the experienced JACKIE PARSONS was having her best game of the season at the back. In the second part of the first half, Ashford kept the momentum up and created numerous chances and were unlucky not to convert any into goals. Unfortunately their concentration lapsed a little just before the break, and they allowed the visitors in to score the opening goal of the game. Thus it was somewhat disappointing that the Red & Blacks went into half time 1-0 down.

The second half started similar to the first and Ashford were once again putting the Harrow goal under pressure and they secured several short corners as a result. The newly practiced corner routines were working well for the Red & Blacks though and after a first time shot was saved, left midfielder STACEY KENWARD followed up well to score her first goal of the season and more importantly, secure the equaliser for Ashford. Things then got even better for the Red & Blacks, when continued pressure resulted in another short corner from which sweeper JACKIE PARSONS hammered home on of her trademark, thunderbolt strikes to put Ashford deservedly 2-1 ahead. Unfortunately shortly after scoring the Ashford Player of the Match JACKIE PARSONS got a nasty blow on her ankle and had to leave the pitch. As the game came to a close skipper LAURA SAMOUEL was all ready to celebrate their first away victory of the season. Alas with only three minutes of the game left, Ashford unfortunately conceded a penalty flick, which Harrow duly converted to snatch a late equaliser and leave the Red & Blacks disappointed.

Next week Ashford have to travel to nearby Teddington to take on their 2nd XI who are currently top of the league. Coach MANDY WAIN will be back to help direct operations though and if they can maintain their good team work and keep working for each other, Ashford will be aiming to gain at least another point.

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

Ashford were at home to local rivals PHC Chiswick on Saturday with their normal squad supplemented by South African newcomer ‘Ernie’. In warm conditions Ashford opened well and played some positive hockey to put the visitor’s goalkeeper under pressure from the start. This resulted in them securing their first short corner after only three minutes of play. The new combination of ANNA PROTHEROE pushing out, skipper LAURA SAMOUEL stick stopping and JACKIE PARSONS striking worked well, with JACKIE’S hard strike going just wide of the left post. Further Ashford attacks quickly followed, along with another short corner, which saw SHARON McGLINLEY going close. It was therefore much against the run of play that the Red & Blacks allowed the visitors to gain a short corner and then slack defending let them score from the rebound and thus putting PHC Chiswick 1-0 ahead. Despite the set back, Ashford rallied and kept playing good hockey, prompted well by midfielders ANNA PROTHEROE, LAURA SAMOUEL, TRACEY HOLLAND and STACEY KENWARD. Numerous good forays on the visitor’s goalmouth followed, with STACEY KENWARD, LAURA SAMOUEL and JACKIE BASHFORD all creating chances and getting close to securing the equaliser. Meanwhile at the back Ashford goalkeeper SAM GRANT and defenders KIM FRY, SOPHIE SMART and EMMA HYNES dealt well with everything that the Chiswick midfield and forwards created. Thus it was somewhat disappointing that the Red & Blacks failed went into the break still 1-0 down.

During the interval Ashford lost the services of defender KIM FRY, who had bravely played on during most of the first half, despite having a badly damaged finger on her right hand. Ashford were thus left without a substitute for the rest of the game. The pattern of play in the second half was very similar to the first with Ashford being the more dominant side. However, it wasn’t until twelve minutes into the half that the Red & Blacks made any real inroads to the visitor’s goalmouth and in the several short corners that followed, Ashford failed to sort out their routine correctly and no shots and/or goals resulted. In fact it was Chiswick who went closest to scoring when one of their short corners went narrowly wide. Ashford kept trying though and a sweeping move between JACKIE PARSONS and TRACEY HOLLAND saw the effervescent STACEY KENWARD going close. Shortly afterwards one of the Ashford midfielders was given a very harsh green card by the visiting umpire following a tackle which resulted in Ashford being awarded a free hit! Although they were down to ten players for the next ten minutes, Ashford kept the tempo up and some more short corners followed, but despite all their efforts the Red & Blacks just didn’t seem to be able to get the ball over the goal line. As the game drew to a close and Ashford returned to a full compliment of players, they finally got the equaliser they richly deserved, when SHARON Mc GLINEY scored from close in following good work by JACKIE PARSONS and ANNA PROTHEROE. The score remained at 1-1 for the closing minutes and as a result of their point, the Red & Blacks moved up one place in the League to eighth position and youngster ANNA PROTHEROE was deservedly voted Man of the Match. There are no league matches for any of the Ashford sides next week, so the next 1st XI game is away against Harrow, the team one place above them in the League, on November 3rd.

Team:
S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, K. Fry, E. Hynes, A. Protheroe, ‘Ernie’, T. Holland, J. Parsons, J. Bashford, S McGlinley, L Samouel (Captain), S. Kenward

In their first home game of the season Ashford entertained north London side Winchmore Hill & Enfield, who before the game were placed a couple of positions higher than the Red & Blacks in the Middlesex Premier League. Ashford first team and Club Coach MANDY WAIN was able to field an unchanged side for the game, but due to illness, the squad was reduced to twelve players only.

In warm, almost summer conditions, the visitors started the game the best, but the well organised Ashford defence soaked up the early pressure and kept them at bay for the first quarter of the game. Ashford then started to build some attacks of their own and the whole team were combining well, and they were not afraid to move the ball around and across the back where needed and the score thus remained at 0-0 until just before half time. However, on the stroke of half time the visitors were awarded a short corner and their resulting strike was unfortunately deflected by an Ashford defender into their own net to make the score 1-0 in favour of the visitors.

Not surprisingly, the visitors started the second half on a high and they went further ahead when they secured a second goal after seven minutes of play. The Red & Blacks battled back well though and continued to show some good team work, and they were duly rewarded when they scored a goal ten minutes from the end of the game. Striker SHARON McGLINLEY’s took a shot at goal which was deflected into the net by a Winchmore defender. The goal lifted Ashford’s spirits and with the score at 2-1, they pressed hard for the equaliser. Numerous attacks were mounted and youngster LIV YOUNG made several penetrating runs on goal, but none of the Ashford attacks were converted into goals and the score remained at 2-1 until the final whistle. Defender EMMA HYNES was voted Player of the Match in a game in which Ashford played well, but came away with no League points for their efforts.

Next week the Red & Blacks travel to Pinner, to play Eastcote Ladies 2nd XI who are currently placed second in the league. It will be a difficult game for Ashford, but if they can continue to combine well as a team and maintain their good defensive play, the results will surely come.

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

This year Ashford A takes on Eastcote, Staines, and Teddington in Pool A. While Ashford B host Eatcote, Old Uxonians and Walton & Weybridge in Pool B. Each pool has a total of 12 games, with a final between the 1st and 2nd placed teams held on the 14th and 16th August respectively.

Matches are to take place on Tuesday and Thursday nights at Short Lane. Push back for the first slot is 7:15pm, and games in the second slot get under way at 8:30pm. Please see the summerleague fixtures list for more information.

If you have any further questions about the summer league, as an Ashford player, or a member of one of the other teams involved, please contact the Ladies Fixtures Secretary.

Ashford Scorers:Jacqui Bashford, Gillian Clegg (2), Sam Kendall, Bex GriffithsWe managed to beat the Windsor Royalists 5-4 today. We were 3-1 up at half time and cruising (a bit like at Xmas) at half time. After the break they pegged us back to 3-2, we then got another to go 4-2 up and guess what once again they pulled one back to make it 4-3. In the last ten minutes of the game we scored another and yes they pulled one back, but we remained in control to score another victory over Windsor.Helen Siwek and Cal Antell were making their AA’s debuts, whilst Jacqui Bashford and Manon Thomas were making welcome returns to hockey and an Ashford shirt. Cal was made player of the match or as Antiques should that be “Treasure/find of the Day” as due to illness it was her first game of the season and she bravely volunteered to go in goal. Thanks are also due to Luvvy and Sam who kindly umpired a half each.The full squad was:Cal Antell (GK), Linda Burne, Doreen Brown, Alex Saunders, Hilary Hull, Sue Westlake, Lynne Morgan, Helen Siwek, Sam Kendall, Tracey Holland, Jacqui Bashford, Bex Griffiths, Jane English, Manon Thomas. Spectators:Val Baldwin, Shirley Winson, Shirley Gale, Sheila Kinnear, Jane WilliamsBesides it being another AA’s victory, the sun shone, it was a friendly game and a few memories exchanged and a few drinks were downed afterwards.

Ashford Scorers:
Jackie Parsons (2)

On a cold day with a biting wind, Ashford were yet again unable to field a full strength side for their penultimate and last home, South League game of the season against fellow strugglers Newbury & Thatcham Ladies last Saturday.

The red & Blacks were without their skipper JO SMITH and staunch regulars KATIE GREENE, CLAIR BRANT and dynamic midfielder ANNIE NEYTON. The good news was that they were able to welcome back the hard working and skilful Welsh midfielder SAM KENDALL, whilst regular second team players HANNAH GIBBS and BECKY GRIFFITHS, retained their places for the second game running. The match started as somewhat a low key affair, with the visitors well on top and playing much the better hockey. After ten minutes or so, Ashford were dealt a blow when the hard running, youngster LAURA SAMOUELS fell and damaged her shoulder badly and she had to leave the field of play and go to hospital to get it checked out. The Red & Blacks coach HELEN THORNALLEY thus had to join the fray to add her much needed skills and experience to the team. The Red & Blacks did then start to play better, but the opposition had more to offer, with some skill full ball carriers who helped them to keep possession and also create numerous goal chances; three of which were converted to make the score a deserved 3-0 to the visitors at half time.

After the break, Ashford played a lot better and as their work rate increased, so did their possession and attack rate. Young defender and Ashford ‘Player of the Match’ ANNA PROTHEROE led the way with her tireless running and accurate tackling at the back. Despite having more of the game, the Red& Blacks conceded a further goal midway through the half to go 4-0 down. However, they battled back and sweeper and short corner striker JACKIE PARSONS brought Ashford back into the game when she converted two out of the three short corners they gained in the second half. One goal was directly through the goalkeepers legs, whilst the other was a good angled shot which found the corner of the net. Although the goals brought Ashford back into the game, their overall play did not have its usual bite or fluency to really unsettle the stronger and more skill full visitors, who deserved their 4-2 victory.

Next Saturday Ashford travel to Banbury for a tough rearranged game against the sixth placed team, in what will be their last game of the season and also in the South League and also the last for Club Coach HELEN THORNALLEY.

Team:
O Sutton (GK), D Brough, E Hynes (Captain), S Kenward, A Protheroe, H Gibbs, E Ashford-Hodges, J Parsons, B Griffiths, H Thornalley, L Samouels, S Kendall