Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

Ashford yet again had to make some last minute changes to their team before travelling to Oxfordshire to play an in-form Henley 1st XI last Saturday. ELLIE ASHFORD-HUGHES and coach HELEN THORNALLEY had to be drafted in, the latter making her first appearance of the season. However, the Red & Blacks were able to welcome back regulars EMMA HYNES, ANNA PROTHEROE and SUNNY POTTAY.

The morning game started well for Ashford and they gained a short corner within two minutes of the initial push back. Specialist striker JACKIE PARSONS got in a well struck shot from the corner, which the home team parried out to Ashford youngster LIV YOUNG, but her follow-up shot was easily cleared. Henley quickly then got into their stride with several quick attacks and Red & Blacks keeper, LIV SUTTON coped well with their initial shots, whilst after 10 minutes of play the evergreen Ashford defender CLAIRE BRANT, coolly cleared a goal bound Henley thunderbolt short corner strike off the goal line. After 16 minutes of play the direction of the game changed, when following an unintentional foul by an Ashford defender in the Ashford D, Henley were surprisingly awarded a penalty flick, which they duly converted to open the scoring. Whilst Ashford were still recovering from the flick, the home team added a second goal from a short corner to make the score 2-0. Ashford then managed to get a bit more into the game, with defenders CLARE BRANT, JACKIE PARSONS and ANNA PROTHOROE all working particularly hard to create some attacking moves; and it was unfortunate that the visitors managed to add a third goal just before half time, following a good individual forward dribble by one of the Henley strikers.

Ashford struck back at the start of the second half and created a chance for DANI BROUGH, but her strong flick rose over the goal and back fence of the ground, rather than in the back of the Henley net. Ashford then had a player rather harshly sin binned for 10 minutes, after she inquired why a decision against Ashford had been given. This seemed to spark the home team into action and they combined well to score a trio of very well taken goals to put their victory beyond doubt and the score at 6-0. The Red &Blacks didn’t give up though and youngster LIV YOUNG was unlucky not to be able to convert an opportunity she had from close in shortly afterwards. The closing minutes of the game saw Henley score two more well worked goals to make the final score a convincing 8-0.

There is no doubt that third placed Henley thoroughly deserved their win and scored some excellent goals in both halves of the game. The disappointing aspects of the match were that Ashford failed to convert either of the chances they created and the poor standard of umpiring. Next Saturday Ashford are at home to fellow strugglers Hampstead & Westminster 2nd XI at noon, in what is a vitally important game for the visitors.

Team:
O Sutton (GK), D Brough, E Hynes, S Kenward, A Protheroe, J Parsons, C Brant, J Smith (Captain), O Young, E Ashford-Hodges, H Thornalley, S Pottay

Ashford Scorers:
Jackie Parsons

Due to illness and lack of availability throughout the Club, the Ladies 1st XI had only eleven players in their line up for their home game v Wycombe Rye on Saturday.

ANNIE NEYTON returned to the team, which also welcomed back full back HILARY HULL, although they were without regular defenders ANNA PROTHEROE and EMMA HYNES, as well as striker SUNNY POTTAY. The Red & Blacks started the game strongly and got a long corner in the opening minutes, but were unable to score from it. Almost straight after the visitors went up the other end and opened the scoring from a simply taken goal. They followed it up three minutes later with a hard cross to the far post which was again simply converted, to put the visitors 2-0 up. Ashford pressed back though and shortly afterwards gained their first short corner of the game, but they did not get their practiced moves right and failed to convert it. Although the Red & Blacks continued to try, they were unable to find the fluid form of last few weeks and the visitors started to dominate more, and midway through the first half only a goal line clearance saved Ashford from going 3-0 down. Wycombe continued pressure did eventually tell though when on twenty six minutes they scored from close in following a short corner. They then added another when a long cross from the left, was hit home from close in on the right. The 4-0 score line slightly flattered the visitors though and two minutes later and, just before half time, Ashford pulled one back. A well delivered short corner by STACEY KENWARD was well controlled on the edge of the D by JACKIE PARSONS and slipped to KATIE GREENE on the right, who slipped the ball back to JACKIE who fiercely fired home from close in.

The goal seemed to spur Ashford on and they played a lot better in the opening half of the second half as they worked the ball round the pitch skilfully, whilst goalkeeper LIV SUTTON ably dealt with any Wycombe attacks. The midfield had started to combine better and their varied play, brought the front runners more into the game more. The Red & Blacks were unable to convert their pressure into goals though and after one unsuccessful goalmouth attack, Wycombe broke swiftly and opened up the Ashford defence quickly to notch their fifth goal of the game, and take an unassailable 5-1 lead. Both teams tired in the last quarter of the game, but Ashford continued to work hard and were slightly unlucky to be on the end of another heavy defeat.

Next Saturday Ashford are away to Henley 1st XI, which will be another tough game for them. However, if they can maintain their better form and fight, coach BOB THORNALLEY is hoping they can get a result.

Team:
O Sutton (GK), D Brough, K Greene, S Kenward, H Hull, J Parsons, C Brant, J Smith, (Captain), O Young, L Samouel, A Neyton.

Ashford made the short journey to Teddington to play the third in the table Teddington Ladies 1st XI on Saturday. Ashford Coach BOB THORNALLEY decided to play with a lone striker up front, with two support players, and the rest of the midfield, defenders and two full backs playing a more forward role, leaving sweeper JACKIE PARSONS and goalkeeper LIV SUTTON to deal with any breakaway attacks. In sunny conditions Ashford started well and played some of their best hockey of the season, with the whole team working hard and combining well, they matched the home side in all areas of play and areas of the pitch. Up front LIV YOUNG did well, ably supported by the hard working and running LAURA SAMOUELS and SUNNAY POTTAY and prompted by the creative KATIE GREENE. The Red & Blacks good play secured them several short corners and they went close on several occasions. Likewise, Teddington also had several short corners, but young, speedy Ashford defender ANNA PROTHEROE managed to get out quickly and block several of them and keeper LIV SUTTON dealt very capably with any remaining shots. The first half really was an exciting, even affair and whilst the 0-0 score at half time was almost a fair reflection of the play, Ashford were marginally ahead on territorial advantage.

The second half saw Ashford continuing to play above themselves with the players on the left flank doing especially well. Dynamic and determined play by STACEY KENWARD was matched by some resolute defending and creative passing from the evergreen CLAIRE BRANT, both being ably supported by full back EMMA HYNES; who was working wonders at the back and playing her best ever game in an Ashford shirt. All the team were performing well though and matching Teddington, in what was a fluid and flowing game in the first part of the second half. During the last quarter of the match, the home team slowly started to dominate slightly, and secured a batch of almost consecutive short corners, but the Ashford keeper LIV SUTTON continued to play extremely well to keep them at bay, and defender EMMA HYNES also saved the day on several occasions. The whole team continued to work hard in the hot conditions, combining well with each other, helping to relieve the pressure and create some attacks of their own. Ashford were literally seconds away from their first point and clean sheet of the season, when Teddington were awarded a slightly fortunate short corner, which despite the final whistle of the game having been blown, their were entitled to take. The resulting fine shot was saved on the line by an Ashford foot, and Teddington scored from the resulting penalty flick, with literally the last strike of the game. Even in defeat the Ashford team and supporters were buoyant by their performance, which Coach BOB THORNALLEY rated as one of their best in their two years of playing in the South League. Next Saturday Ashford are at home at noon to Wycombe Rye 1st XI, who are only two places above them in the league. If the Red & Blacks can maintain this form, the goal and points will surely come.

Team:
O Sutton (GK), D Brough, A Protheroe, K Greene, S Kenward, E Hynes, J Parsons, C Brant, J Smith, (Captain), O Young, L Samouel, S Pottay.

In excellent conditions at Short lane on Saturday, Ashford 1st XI entertained near neighbours Staines in the only Ashford Ladies League game of the weekend. Defender HILARY HULL and midfielder SAM KENDALL were making their first appearances for the Red & Blacks first team squad in 2007, whilst LIV SUTTON in goal was making her second. Ashford Coach BOB THORNALLEY decided that Ashford should play a more attacking format in an attempt to end their four game goal drought. Defender DANI BROUGH was given a more attacking role and sweeper JACKIE PARSONS more freedom to move forward. The new formation seemed to suit Ashford and they matched Staines in all areas of the pitch in the opening ten minutes of play. It was the visitors though who made more attacking moves and secured the first short corner of the game after thirteen minutes of play. Despite Ashford keeper LIV SUTTON saving their first shot, the visitors Captain JO IVE was there to slot home the rebound to put Staines 1-0 up. Ashford weren’t downhearted by the goal though and they constructed many flowing moves of their own, prompted well by DANI BROUGH and JACKIE PARSONS, with the free running LAURA SAMOUEL combining well with fellow strikers SUNNY POTTAY and LIV YOUNG. Despite the good team work and width being created by midfielders STACEY KENWARD and CLAIR BRANT, not many of the forays into the visitor’s goal mouth resulted in many clear cut chances for the Red & Blacks. The play remained very even though and youngster ANNA PROTHEROE was doing well at the back to help thwart some of the Staines quick attacks. It was a good team effort from Ashford though and the score remained at 1-0 to Staines until half time.

After the turn round, Staines got back in to their stride quicker and put the Ashford defence, which was starting to lose some of its cohesion, under pressure for the first part of the second half. The Red & Blacks rallied though and some good interplay and pressure on the Staines goalmouth resulted them gaining a short corner. An excellent routine saw STACEY KENWARD, JACKIE PARSONS, SAM KENDALL and SUNNY POTTAY combing well to move the ball across the Staines goalmouth, but although a goal looked imminent, Ashford were unable to strike the ball home. Not long after the visitors notched their second goal of the game after some messy play in the Ashford goalmouth. Further poor defending by the home team then allowed Staines SUE CHANDLER to get her second goal of the game from an acute angle on the left. Ashford dug in though and JACKIE PARSONS calmly cleared one pile driver of a shot from the Ashford goal line. Near the end of the game, CHANDLER completed her hat trick for the visitors when the Ashford defence were caught flat. A better performance by Ashford, but they will need to be on top form next week when they travel to play fourth placed Teddington.

Team:
O Sutton (GK), D Brough, A Protheroe, S Kendall, H Hull, S Kenward, E Hynes, J Parsons, C Brant, J Smith, (Captain), O Young, L Samouel, S Pottay.

In their third South League game of 2007, Ashford were at home to fellow strugglers West Hampstead 1st XI. The Red & Blacks were still without the injured midfield dynamo NICKY BENEDICT and they lost fellow midfielders ANNIE NEYTON on Friday night and KATIE GREEN on Saturday morning, both due to illness. Their original squad of thirteen was thus reduced to only eleven and with the other squads also hit by illness, skipper JO SMITH pulled up 2nd XI regular midfielder, WENDY BAKER at the last minute to make her 1st XI debut. However, University student and speedy full back LOUISE DOUGLAS was available to make her first appearance for the side in 2007 and SUNNY POTTAY also returned to strengthen the side.

The game started in a rather physical way and the young visitors pressed hard from the start and scored after only five minutes of play. Ashford seemed somewhat disorganised initially and the goal didn’t help matters, but the Ashford goalkeeper LEANNE SERGEANT coped well with the numerous West Hampstead attacks that followed the goal, which allowed the rest of the team to settle and find their form. Defenders DANI BROUGH, EMMA HYNES and LOUISE DOUGLAS started to combine well and got through a lot of good work, both in defence and by helping to create some Ashford attacks. Sweeper JACKIE PARSONS also started to prompt many a Red & Black move and create breaks for the midfield and strikers with her fine clearances and close control. WENDY BAKER was also helping matters by making brief appearances for the substitutes bench, which enabled the hard running midfielders to have a breather and WENDY marked and contributed well during her time on the pitch. Ashford continued to work hard, but were unable to create many chances up front and the score remained at 1-0 until the interval.

The second half followed a similar pattern as the first, with the game still having quite a physical nature. Again young keeper LEANNE SERGEANT played well for Ashford, but strikers LIV YOUNG and LAURA SAMOUELS were not able to find a way through. Ashford were matching the visitors who were well organised, but not that superior to Ashford skills wise in most areas of the pitch and for much of the second half Ashford had a fair amount of the play, but were not able to notch the much wanted equaliser. Late in injury time, the visitors scored a second goal from field play to make the final score a slightly unjust 2-0 victory to them and Ashford’s quest for their first points of the season were once again thwarted. The Red & Blacks are at home again next Saturday at noon, when they play local rivals Staines 2nd XI who are currently fourth in the League. Coach Bob Thornalley will be hoping that she will have a full, fit squad to utilise, so that the Red & Blacks can start turning their recent better play into goals and points.

Team:
L Sergeant (GK), D Brough, L Douglas, W Baker, S Kenward, E Hynes, J Parsons, C Brant, J Smith, (Captain), O Young, L Samouel, S Pottay.

In their second South League game of 2007, Ashford faced a trip up to Oxfordshire to play the return game against the team clearly top of league, Oxford University Ladies 1st XI, at their famous Iffley Road ground. The Red & Blacks were very pleased to welcome back regular goalkeeper LEANNE SERGEANT, but midfielders ANNIE NEYTON and NICKY BENEDICT were again missing and were replaced by youngster LIV YOUNG and the speedy HELEN SIWEK; whilst youngster and recent debutant ANNA PROTHOROE, continued in the defence. Oxford were able to field a few stronger squad of players than they did last week and after a recent defeat (their first of the season), they were determined to do well form the start.

As happened last week, Ashford conceded a goal with in a minute of the start of the game and were 1-0 down to a well taken goal before most Ashford players had touched the ball. Ashford gradually settled though and keeper LEANNE SERGEANT and defenders JACKIE PARSONS and DANI BROUGH contained the next few Oxford attacks well. Ashford then started to combine well and found some of the rhythm they had displayed last week. However, they weren’t able to mount many attacks and after some good short corner moves Oxford notched another couple of goals to equal last week’s tally of three. Another goal was then scored by the students before the end of the first half to virtually seal the game, with the score being 4-0 to the home side.

In the second half the Red & Blacks midfield kept working hard with KATIE GREEN, STACEY KENWARD, skipper JO SMITH and CLAIRE BRANT battling way, but they were unable to bring the hard running Red & Black strikers LIV YOUNG, LAURA SAMUOEL and HELEN SIWEK into the game very much. Another well executed short corner routine led to another goal to put them 5-0 up after ten minutes or so in the second half. Numerous good diving saves by Ashford keeper LENNE SERGEANT and stout defending then kept the score down for most of the second half. Tiredness due to the constant pressure eventually took its toll though and in the final five minutes of the game and the league leaders knocked in another three to make it a very convincing 8-0 victory for them.

The Red & Blacks are at home next Saturday at noon, when they play West Hampstead 1st XI, who are two places above them in the league and against whom they will be hoping their better form will result in some goals and maybe even points.

Team:
L Sergeant (GK), D Brough, A Protheroe, K Greene, S Kenward, E. Hynes, J Parsons, C Brant, J Smith, (Captain), O Young, H Siwek, L Samouel.

In their first South League game of 2007, Ashford faced the team clearly top of league Oxford University Ladies 1st XI. The Red & blacks were very pleased to welcome back midfield terrier ANNIE NEYTON and to give young starlet ANNA PROTHEROE her first team debut. Unfortunately a kitchen accident meant that regular midfielder NICKY BENEDICT (nee DALY) was a late withdrawal from the team. After an initial downpour, the sun came out and that seemed to set the mood for the game, which was competitive, but played in a good spirit throughout.

Despite a thorough warm up, Ashford were caught flat footed in defence and Oxford opened the scoring within the first minute when Sumpar struck the ball home from close in. However, far from being deflated the concede goal spurred Ashford on and they played some fluid hockey with JACKIE PARSONS in her new slightly more forward sweepers role, and LAURA SAMOUEL in free running yet deep lying striker role, both excelling. The whole team were working hard though and combining well, playing strong constructive hockey to dominate the first quarter of the game. After sixteen minutes of play the Red & Blacks gained a short corner and although JACKIE PARSONS and KATIE GREENE combined well, KATIE’S shot was saved. Oxford hit back and went close on a couple of occasions, and Ashford keeper LIV SUTTON also made some fine saves to make sure the score remained at 1-0. In the second part of the half Ashford continued to play their best hockey of the season, with STACEY KENWARD, CLAIR BRANT, KATIE GREENE, ANNIE NEYTON and JO SMITH working hard in the midfield as was SUNNY POTTAY up front, whilst ANNA PROTHEROE was staring on her debut, and EMMA HYNES and DANI BROUGH were leading by example with some timely tackles and strong distribution play.

After the change round Ashford were slightly slower to find their rhythm and Oxford’s forward Barnes scored a neat flicked goal from a penalty corner after seven minutes of play to put them 2-0 up. Barnes got a second goal from open play shortly after to put the visitors 3-0 up. However, Ashford battled hard and got some good moves going and despite a head injury to player of the match DANI BROUGH, and then a leg injury to ANNA PROTHEROE late in the game, their team work never faltered. The play continued to flow well as both teams continued to press hard, but the final score remained at 3-0 to Oxford. Although Ashford lost, it was an encouraging result against the league leaders and Coach BOB THORNALLEY was extremely pleased not only with their new formation, but with every player’s performance and their new found confidence and high level work ethic. The Red & Blacks will have to do it all again next week though as they travel to play the return fixture against Oxford at their historic Iffley Road ground. Hopefully Ashford will maintain their new found form and give the visitors another hard game.

Team:
L Sutton (GK), D Brough, L Protheroe, K Greene, S Kenward, E Hynes, J Parsons, C Brant, J Smith, (Captain) S Pottay, A Neyton, L Samouel.

Ashford Scorers:
Kim Downs, Kirsty Boxell, Lisa Napper, Eline Sibia

It was a grey and windy morning on Saturday 13th January when Ashford Ladies 4th XI played Chiswick Ladies 4th XI at home. Ashford had the first push-back and drove forward from the off culminating in a penalty corner for the home team. Kim Downs drove the ball in hard and Gillian Clegg smashed the ball towards goal. The keeper managed to get a foot to it but Kim was there for the rebound and Ashford were 1-0 up.

Ashford continued to press forward in the first half, moving and passing the ball towards the goal where Kim Downs had 3 consecutive shots on goal saved by Chiswick’s keeper. Chiswick rallied well and had some good runs towards the goal but Ashford’s sweeper Doreen Brown wasn’t letting any of them through!

Chiswick started the 2nd half with a run towards the Ashford defence who held their ground and swiftly moved the ball back up the field to their forwards. Kirsty Boxell made a brilliant run into the D and picked up a cross from Ashley Brewster, driving it home past the keeper making it 2-0 to Ashford. Ashford continued with their confident attacking playing which culminated in yet another goal. This time Lisa Napper struck the ball 2 yards inside the top of the D finding the goal easily and leaving the Chiswick players for dust with her celebratory run!

Chiswick refused to give up hope and a stray ball making its way past the forward pushing Ashford centre back Lianne Patterson was quickly pounced upon by a Chiswick player who pushed it through the defence towards the Ashford goal. Fortunately goalkeeper Ali Boxell had enough time to clear the ball from the D with a scuffed shot that went the opposite way to its intended direction but was picked up by the defence and cleared back up the field!

Ashford continued to press hard until the end and were rewarded with their fourth and final goal a few minutes before half-time. Kim Downs pushed in the ball at yet another penalty corner and Lisa Napper struck hard at the goal. Chiswick’s goalkeeper saved the shot but Eline Sibia was on the post and neatly tapped the ball in. A fantastic game of hockey enjoyed by everyone. Well done Ladies!

Team:
Ali Boxell, Linda Burne, Doreen Brown, Jane English, Karen Fowler, Lianne Patterson (C), Ashley Brewster, Hayley Eames, Lisa Napper, Eline Sibia, Sue Westlake, Gillian Clegg, Kim Downs, Kirsty Boxell

Ashford Scorers:
Maria Cavilla

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

Ashford Scorers:
Lisa Napper

The Ladies 4th XI had a wet league match to start the year, at home to Eastcote 4th XI. The final score doesn’t really reflect the game as it was a lot closer, with the Red and Blacks still in the christmas spirit - giving as well as receiving! It was only 1-0 to Eastcote at half time and after going 2-0 down, Ashford battled back to 2-1, when Lisa Napper scored from close in. But the home side then conceded two more goals near the end of the game to finish 4-1 down, and very disappointed.

Ashford Scorers:
Jackie Parsons (2), Jane English

Despite losing four players late in the week, the Ashford Ladies veterans (AA’s) were still able to field a fairly strong side for the annual Christmas challenge match against Sunbury Stars Of The Past.

In very mild and pleasant conditions, and in front of a fairly large crowd, the AA’s started off very strongly and dominated much of the play in the first quarter of the game. South African super star JACKIE PARSONS was making her Antiques debut and was dominating play up front with her silky stick work and powerful yet controlled shooting. Sunbury were finding it very hard to cope with Jackie and the flowing hockey being played by a dominant AA’s midfield, and almost inevitably JACKIE PARSONS opened the scoring with a very accurate short corner strike and then a controlled lifted shot to put the AA’s 2-0 ahead. Sunbury slowly got more into the game, but the ever green AA’s sweeper DOREEN BROWN was controlling matters well at the back and they were unable to mount any serious attacks on the Ashford goal. However, one or two Sunbury players were starting to show some fine individual skills and not long before half time, and in one of their rare attacks, a basic AA’s defensive error allowed FIONA PARK to push the ball in from close range to make the score 2-1. The AA’s then dominated the rest of the half, but failed to add to their goal tally.

The second half again saw the AA’s on top and a good combination involving LYNNE MORGAN and CLAIR BRANT, enabled JANE ENGLISH to put the ball in the back of the net from close in to make the score 3-1. Despite the AA’s dominance, Sunbury rallied and scored a good goal midway through the second half to make the score 3-2. Ashford again got on top of the game and created numerous chances and were unlucky to see several strikes go just wide. Unfortunately another defensive lapse saw Sunbury score a surprise equaliser from the resulting breakaway. The AA’s fought back though and in the dying minutes of the game two of the Red & Black forwards got the ball round the Sunbury keeper only for it to stop dead on the goal line and confusion between the Ashford players meant neither struck it home and allowed the simplest of chances to be cleared off the goal line. Thus the friendly game played in an excellent Christmas spirit resulted in a draw and the trophy will now be shared by clubs until Christmas 2008.

Team:
A.Boxell, D.Brown, J.Trew, A.Saunders, V.Baldwin, L.Mitchell, L.Burne, J.English, J.Parsons, C.Brant, L.Morgan (Captain), S.Kendall, C.Davies

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

For their last South League game before Christmas, Ashford had to make the lengthy journey to Newbury without player coach BOB THORNALLEY. This coupled with a slow start and a superbly controlled high, reverse flick shot that opened the scoring for the home team after only three minutes of play, rocked Ashford badly. They had hardly penetrated the visitors half before a second skill full flick goal was added by Newbury four minutes later from a short corner. The two goal deficit wasn’t the only problem the Red & Blacks faced as from the start of the game, they playing towards the low lying sun, which made it very difficult for them to distinguish between their own and Newbury & Thatcham’s playing kit, despite Ashford having changed to their alternate black strip. Therefore shortly after the second goal, Ashford had to don some training bibs and play in the unfamiliar colour of orange. As Ashford tried to find some rhythm, a couple of very fine saves by young keeper LEANNE SERGEANT, encouraged the team and prompted some solid play by fellow defenders including youngster LOUISE DOUGLAS and stalwarts CLAIR BRANT and JACKIE PARSONS. Despite the slight improvement, Ashford’s passing and marking was still poor and after twenty two minutes of play the home team added another goal from close range to make the score three to the home team at half time.

Ashford came out for the second half determined to do better. Some good midfield play by SUNNAY POTTAY and several skilful and determined runs by KATIE GREEN helped them penetrate the home teams defence on several occasions. However, despite the overall team improvement, the Red & Blacks were not able to create many clear cut goal scoring chances and the home side continued to mount the occasional dangerous attack. Further acrobatic saves by LEANNE SERGEANT and more determined play by LOUISE DOUGLAS, along with a nifty goal line clearance by CLAIR BRANT managed to keep the score at 3-0 until midway through the second half. After twenty minutes of play though, a flowing move by the home team saw them catch many of the Ashford defenders up field, and they added a neat fourth goal. This was followed swiftly by a fifth from a short corner to make the score 5-0 and put the game well beyond Ashford’s grasp. Ashford battled on and JACKIE PARSONS made several ventures up the pitch to help the midfield and forwards in their attempts to notch at least one goal. Their efforts were thwarted though and the home team added a sixth goal shortly before the end of the game to inflict a heavy defeat on a battle weary Ashford. The game was a disappointing one for Ashford, who had been playing a lot better in recent weeks. The Red & Blacks do not return to League action until 20th January, but they have a couple of friendly games over the Christmas break, which coach HELEN THORNALLEY will be using to try and regain the recent improved form and team work.

Team:
L Sergeant (GK), D Brough, L Douglas, K Greene, S Kenward, J Parsons (Captain), C Brant, T Holland, J Smith, S Pottay, E Ashford–Hodges, O Young.

It’s cold, wet and everyone is completely drenched. Oh and the ladies 3s still had to play against Southgate. We had 12 players which was a relief. The first half was interesting; Gill Waite had some lovely hits, Nadine and Alex had great positioning. Ashford had a few lovely breaks but unfortunately no goals. We did however get an attacking short corner. It was a close miss from Gill Waite with Gill Clegg injecting the ball. Southgate managed to score although the defence were man-marking the best they could. Southgate had numerous short corners but the defence defended wonderfully to get the ball out. Nearly none of Southgate’s goals came from short corners. Midfield had some good positioning with some nice breaks. However, Southgate midfield managed to get a lot of tackles and we didn’t always get it up to the forwards. But when we did everyone legged it up and we had some crosses which didn’t manage to develop into a goal.

The second half everyone was optimistic. We could surely get a goal? Everyone was much more spaced out and we had many more breaks than the first half. Kim positioned herself brilliantly and we had some good runs up the pitch. Gill C played continuously well. Gill C and Kim worked hard to get the ball up the pitch. We had just had a break. It was looking good. Gill C was on the ball and Kim on the left. There was only one Southgate defender. Then the whistle went. It’s a shame because it looked like a very promising. Overall a good effort from everyone!

Man of the Match:
Karen Fowler

Team:
Sam Grant, Karen Fowler, Gill Waite, Alex Saunders, Nadine Howarth, Lianne Patterson, Ashley Brewster, Eline Sibia, Liv Sutton, Sue Westlake, Gill Clegg, Kim Downs.