Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

The Xmas newsletter 2011 has recently been sent out to members via e-mail and it contains all the latest AHC news, information from Ashford (Short Lane) Sports, Ashford Antiques gossip and the league tables for all teams at the half way stage of the season and lots of other articles. Please contact me president@ashfordhockeyclub.co.uk if you haven’t recieved a copy and we hope to have a copy linked to the website soon.

The astro draw winners for December 2011 are shown below:

£250 Gordon Smith

£100 Ian Jenkins (Sherpa)

£50 Alex Saunders

£50 John Tomkins

Congratulations to all the winners and your cheques should be with you soon. It is only £12 per year for a ticket and a draw is made every month throughout the season, with the extra big money prizes being drawn at the AHC Annual Dinner in April. Application forms are available on the website (see link on side bar) and on the Club Notice Board. Help support the Club and give yourself a chance of winning some money at the same time.

Sat 10th Dec, Ladies 1s 1 – Hampstead & Westminster 3s 7

Top of the table H& W 3rd team were a very fit, organised and workman like side. The effects of Ashford Ladies Christmas bash in Soiree the night before perhaps affected a few of the red and black players and we were 2-0 down in 8 mins having actually conceded a goal after only 1 minute, to have it thankfully disallowed! The opposition dominated play though and were 6-0 up by half time. Ashford won some short corners, but only had one direct shot, a good strike that went just wide by Jackie ‘Yip Yip’ Parsons. At this stage the score wasn’t reflecting the efforts of the team: Skipper Lucy Uttley tried to boost things when she came on, but the oppo read her game well and whilst Nicky Benedict had some constructive runs, none resulted in shots on goal. Rasna Sandhu played constructively and Tracey ‘Luvvy’ Holland did well despite being weak with flu for most of the week. The injured Club Captain Emma Hynes was missed, though could be heard on the sideline with AHC President Lynne Morgan.

Ashford regrouped at half time and played a lot better in the second 35 minutes and prompted by Jackie Parsons at the back got some good moves going. One flowing move on the right by Rasna and Lucy set up Maria Cavilla, but without the desired results. However, we did eventually score when Maria was put through and she fired home well. At this point, Ashford had held back attacks from H&W and they failed to increase their tally. Howver, near the end Lucy did a bad tackle as a forward was about to shoot resulting in a yellow card and a penalty flick for the opposition, which they converted.
The oppo were a nice lot, despite one of them got a yellow card for being 5 yds back. Sam got PoM, as she was in amongst the action most of the time. Lucy was ’Dick of the Day’ for her yellow card. They missed the injured Emma.

Thursday December 15th – Pool match between ACC and AHC. Teams of eight players, nibbles nad prizes on offer. Shane Smith is running the AHC team, so please let him know if you want to play or come down and support our team against the mighty Cricket Club. The challenge begins at 7.30 pm, hope to see you there.

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The AAs are hosting the annual challenge trophy match v Sunbury Stars of the Past (SSOPs) this coming Saturday at Short Lane at 1.30 pm. Unfortunately snow and ice have caused the postponement of this popular fixture for the last two years, so please can you all try and arrange for some beter weather for us this year. Once again star AAs players are travelling from far and wide, including across the pond from the US of A, to play in this prestigious event. Numerous festiviites and ceremonies are held before and after the game and everyone is welcome along on the condition that they either wear a Santa hat or something festive. Hope to see you there and “COME ON U AAs”.

Forthcoming events at Short Lane:

Friday evenings – Informal quiz in the Members bar, hosted by Shane Smith – all welcome.

Monday December 12th at 7.30 pm, ‘Ideas evening’, where we hope representatives of ACC and AHC will meet to thrash out further ideas to help solve some of the current financial problems. We plan to issue some ideas in advance to promote discussion at the meeting, but we would be grateful if you could ensure that we are primed for a inspiring debate and hopefully some innovative ideas. Please could you let me 9Lynne) know if you would like to attend this meeting to represent AHC.

Thursday December 15th – Pool match between ACC and AHC. Teams of eight players – food – prizes – time etc. to be defined. Shane Smith is running the AHC team, so please let him know if you want to play or come down and support our team.

Saturday December 17th – Children’s (2-12 years old) Christmas party from 4.30 pm. Tickets £4 each (available behind the bar) and food, games, prizes and a gift for each child, with also of course a visit from Santa.

Saturday December 31st – New Year’s Eve party, 8 pm until late, there will be games/quiz and music and dancing, and food/buffet will be provided. Entry will be free to members but on a first come first served basis and numbers may be limited – tickets are available from Tracey. Non members will be charged – £10 adults, £5 children.

Go here and like the page to get updates on events & results via your facebook newsfeed!

If the link isn’t showing below, simply search for ‘Ashford Middlesex Hockey Club’ as a PAGE (NOT GROUP), on the left should be the button to click to like it!

thank you

Plans have been finalised so….

FRIDAY 9TH DECEMBER

Ashford Ladies are obvioulsy classy ladies so get you party frocks and celebrate Christmas in style at Soiree (did you like my little play on words in the title?!)

TIME: 8pm at Soiree or maybe a bit earlier for a cheeky one somewhere before? Food served at 8.30pm
PLACE: Soiree, Staines (just up from pizza express, before roshni’s)
DRESS CODE: Dress to Impress!! (think people are thinking dresses/similar to last year!)
COST: £20 to include own area with delicious buffett including hot and cold selection, disco and dancing the night away!

I know its not far away, so need to know numbers pretty quickly, and £10 deposit asap. If you definately want to come, but not going to be at club to pay deposit before the 9th Dec, just let me know!

The more the merrier and if you want to bring a friend thats great, just let me know for numbers!

Please can you give your deposits to captains on sat (or let them know you definately want to come)

Thanks
Em

Colts had some great results this weekend with the Boys U14 beating Surbiton 8-1. The GU14 drew 2-2 against Staines in an end to end match. The U12 Girls played in a tournament against Spencer and Richmond winning their group and playing Spencer in the final. It was a good match but unfortunately lost 0-1. The U10 boys were away at Oxted for a tournament and the best they had played with 3 no score draws, a win and 1 loss. Well done all.

At the A(SL)S meeting this month, the Board discussed the current precarious financial situation at Short Lane, and the need to act now and to increase bar turnover rapidly. A number of decisions were made about some fund raising events at which we need your support:

Thursday December 15th – Pool match between ACC and AHC. Teams of eight players – food – prizes – time etc. to be defined. Shane Smith is running the AHC team, so please let him know if you want to play or come down and support our team.
Saturday December 31st – New Year’s Eve party – £10 per ticket for non-members – free for members but the number of tickets may be limited for ACC and AHC members. Speak to Tracey early to secure your ticket. Food and entertainment (TBD) included.
Further A(SL)S events to be organised in the New Year.

Finally, we have arranged a meeting for Monday December 12th at 7.30pm, where we hope to meet with representatives of ACC and AHC to thrash out further ideas to help solve the current problems. We plan to issue some ideas in advance to promote discussion at the meeting, but we would be grateful if you could ensure that we are primed for a inspiring debate and hopefully some innovative ideas. Please could you let me know if you would like to attend this meeting to represent AHC.

It is unfortunate that we find ourselves in this position but drastic measures are now necessary to ensure we have a Sports Club in the future! ACC have organised two social events to try and help and these are on:

Tuesday December 6th – Xmas games night.

Friday January 13th – ACC Curry Night.

AHC members would be very welcome to attend either event and Shane Smith is now running an informal quiz night each Friday in the members bar.

Any further ideas about how we can improve bar and A(SL)S turnover would be greatly appreciated either at the meeting on December 12th or to myself or the other AHC, A(SL)S reps David Sutch and Adam Husband or at any time by e-mail.

Lynne Morgan lynne.morgan@live.co.uk

The astro draw winners for November 2011 are:

£100 Steve (Klaus) Nunn

£50 Jane English

£50 Heatehr Grocott

Congratulations to all the winners and your cheques should be with you soon. It is only £12 per year for a ticket and a draw is made every month throughout the season, with the extra big money prizes being drawn at the AHC Annual Dinner in April. Application forms are available on the website (see link on side bar) and on the Club Notice Board. Help support the club and give yourself a chance of winning some money at the same time.

Sat 12th Nov, Ladies 1s 4-0 Eastcote

Ashford ladies 1’s faced Eastcote 2’s on Saturday anxious to get there first win of the season. With a team of 14 and a return to a formation that proved effective last season hopes were high. Ashford dominated play from the whistle, passing effectively through the midfield and creating opportunities for forward Maria Cavilla to run at the Eastcote defence. With ten minutes gone captain Lucy Uttley picked up the ball in midfield and drove down the left slipping the ball to Maria who took it past the Eastcote goalkeeper to put Ashford 1-0 up.
Eastcote came back strongly but Ashford’s experienced defence of Kim Fry, Tracey Holland and Sophie Smart, together with returning sweeper Jackie Parsons kept them from creating any chances. Once again the midfield unit linked well, with Clare Emmerton and Nicky Benedict creating more chances for the forwards to put pressure on the Eastcote defence. With the end of the first half drawing near Jacqui Bashford drove the ball down the right and into the D forcing a short corner. After failing play the ball to a team-mate at the first short corner Bashford took the short option to Maria whose shot at goal hit an Eastcote foot. Short corner number two went to Jackie Parsons and once again the ball came off a foot, as the whistle went for half time Ashford were awarded a 3rd. This time Ashford all pushed up to ensure the ball didn’t leave the D without an attempt on goal. The corner ended up on the stick of Club captain Emma Hynes whose clean and powerful strike lead to her first goal and Ashford taking a 2-0 lead into the second half.
As Ashford expected Eastcote come out strongly in the second half creating scoring opportunities, keeper Sam Grant maintaining Ashford’s lead with some fine saves. Coach Jeremy Clarke rotated players to keep fresh legs on the pitch, Elize Browne slotted into a defensive role she is relishing playing and Kim Downs proved to be a threat in and around the D in attack. Ashford increased pressure on Eastcote when Lucy Uttley beat both their midfield and defensive units to switch the ball selflessly through to Maria to put away. At 3-0 up Ashford’s confidence grew and they found themselves “double teaming” the Eastcote players successfully dispossessing them on numerous occasions. Ashford then enjoyed a sequence of play that can only be described as sublime! The ball was played from Fry to Bashford across to Hynes who forced the ball to the far left of the pitch onto the ever running player of the match Emmerton who laid the ball quite perfectly on the stick of Uttley to put away quite superbly. A result of 4-0 to Ashford was a fitting end to an all round strong performance from the team.
Next week sees Ashford facing newly promoted Aces away.

14/11/11
Ashford 2s vs Winchmore Hill and Enfield 2s
Away
3-1
The Ladies 2s travelled through the depths of London to play Winchmore and Enfield 2s. For such a long journey and having the game played in the afternoon the energy was somewhat lacking in the Ashford side. With our usual 2s goalie Dyson unavailable Charlie Poulter stepped in to guide our team from the back. Ashford were slow to get off the mark and for the first part of the game the oppo took control and in quick succession scored their first two goals. The Ashford side struggled to make the attacking runs desired and failed to capitalize on many short and long corner opportunities to make a comeback. After half time Ashford were still struggling to play on the 3G ‘beach like’ pitch with most hits being slowed to a stop but showed determination. With some brilliant play from Jules Steer, Sam Clarey, Beth Jefferies, Molly Davis and Cath Evans we finally got into our rhythm and started to worry the oppo so much the a couple of physical shoulder barges were seen. In one instance though this was not enough and the oppo sneaked in a goal in the right corner. With the final whistle imminent Ashford kept pushing on and with some great attacking play down the left Beth Jefferies soon hit home from an impossible angle.
For what was a hard match for the Ladies 2s the determination and spirit the team showed soon pulled through but unfortunately came too late in the match. Let’s hope next week we can see a winning result.

Its party time at Ashford on Sat 26th November – some club members are reaching landmark birthdays, and november appears to be a generally happy birthday time! So we’re celebrating for them…and hopefully with them!

£5 a ticket to include Disco, party games and food. 7pm ish til midnight.

Bring your friends to increase the party spirit!

RSVP on our facebook page!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=283499175015895