Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

…with AshFactor report…

Not the best result for the 1’s but very exciting to see the future of the club coming through in the game against 4th-placed Chichester- 2 of our 16-year-olds netted high-quality goals in the 7-3 defeat. We were on fire from the start and were 2-up with barely 5 mins gone!! First young Shane - a veteran at 19 - lifted the ball 40 yards to Rhino and he took it down expertly before rounding the keeper for 1-0 - 2 minutes later, Dunc robbed their midfielder, played a 1-2 with Rhino before slotting home…yes, the crowd were actually going wild. I think everyone was a bit shocked and the team didn’t know quite what to do with a start like this and maybe froze a bit and allowed Chichester to get back into the game and get one back fairly quickly. By half-time, it was 2-all and a brief 10-minute spell apart at the start of the second half, the visitors bossed the game. Alex Betts scored his first goal for the 1’s - well done Dame Bettsy! - after a fabulous run by Dunc no doubt relieved that he wasn’t required to sing later on at AshFactor!

The 2’s and 3’s were always going to struggle against top team Wycombe who have already won their leagues and are preternaturally good - if our games had been a horse race, we would have been pulled up at halftime - anyway aggregate loss of 16-0, I believe, the 2’s weren’t too sure of the score, we lost 7-0.

The 4’s lost 6-0 to MK 4’s which was an improvement on 11-0 while the 5’s were the stars on the playing pitch disposing of Aylesbury 4’s 4-1, Weapon Alpha getting his second hat-trick and Sandeep Ubi the other - well done, boys, the glory of mid-table obscurity beckons!!

Having got the unimportant hockey stuff out of the way, it was time to concentrate on the biggest night of the year (ok of this weekend) - where were the tv camera’s? Anyway, highlights/lowlights of the evening - and feel free to post your view of events by the way - we had the traditional wait for Deep to get it working (once he’d plugged it in and turned it on and off again, we were away). First up was Joe Siman new to the club and very brave doing Whitney - long song too as he found out - in fact changing his name to Joe Simian as he is one hairy mother. Gordo did the most energetic performance and the stage was coming apart, apparently disowned by Podge now. Emma got marked down for being too good and had the ropiest backing singers. Fred had had too many E’’s during the day and was jitterbugging (whatever that is, it’s a good word). The young boys were getting very excited during Abba/Ladies 2’s while Hannah and her Egyptian serving girls were rather good and had been practicing - I would have preferred to see them do it in a milk bath - but I’m blaming the Broadside for that. Who have I missed? Ah yes the 4’s and Peggy Sue - Bubbles was very polished considering they pitched to the do with no act, very interesting to note the speed at which Guy Taylor volunteered to dash home and get his missus’ dress on and be Peggy Sue - not a bad pair of legs actually!!

Anyway, great night and well done to Hayley and Deep and everyone else who mucked in and helped a great night happen and show what a fantastic club we are part of!!!!

Ladies League Hockey 13/3/10

Middlesex Premier

HAMPSTEAD & WESTMINSTER 3RD XI 4 v ASHFORD 1st XI 0

Ashford Ladies first team had an early morning start for their tough 10.30am game away at Paddington on Saturday. The team were able to welcome back regular goalkeeper SAM GRANT and midfield dynamos JACQUI BASHFORD and ANNA PROTHEROE, but were without diamond sweeper EMMA HYNES, key striker LUCY UTTLEY as well as several regular players due to the long injury list. Coach MANDY WAIN therefore retained veteran striker GILLIAN CLEGG for another game and gave a first team debut to versatile and ever improving second team player WENDY BAKER, but once again was reduced to only being able to field a squad of eleven players. To add to Ashford’s woes, when they got to the ground they found that rather than playing on the water based astro turf pitch, they had been allocated the rubberised, multi-purpose, artificial pitch, which is very popular with footballers, but not many hockey players. There was no hiding place for the Red & Blacks though as the home team started much the stronger and dominated play in the opening quarter. However, Ashford were somewhat unlucky to concede a penalty flick when the ball hit ANNA PROTHEROE’S foot after she had fallen over in the circle. The home side duly converted the penalty to take a 1-0 lead fairly early on. The Red & Blacks were not down hearted though, and despite the difficulties with the pitch and a much changed team format, they rallied to take the game to the opposition; and although Hampstead & Westminster got a good second goal from a short corner strike, Ashford were not playing badly and were giving a creditable performance. Despite their efforts though, the Red & Blacks found themselves 2-0 down at half time.

The second half followed a similar a pattern to the first, with newly converted sweeper SOPHIE SMART being Ashford’s star performer. Debutant WENDY BAKER was also settling in well and her never say die attitude and selfless running and play, were encouraging. Once again Ashford were playing well and secured several short corners, but against a very solid, experienced and confident defence, the forwards struggled to find a way through. The home team went further ahead midway through the second half when one of their skill full forwards scored a screamer of a goal from the top of the circle. They added a fourth before the end of the game to make the final score a deserved 4-0 victory to the third placed team. The Red & Blacks had once again fought hard with a limited squad, and under difficult and unfamiliar playing conditions against a strong team, who were used to the playing surface, and had some very good players.

Next Saturday Ashford play their last game of the season and are at home to Teddington 3rd team who are two places above them in the League. The Ashford squad will be hoping to put on a good performance and secure all three points as a thank you to retiring coach MANDY WAIN, and of course also to finish the season on a high.

Team: S. Grant (GK), S. Smart (Skipper), S. Appleton, M. Cavilla, A Protheroe, J. Bashford, W. Baker, E. Sibia, S McGlinley. K. Taylor, G. Clegg

Banbury 3 Ashford 1 (Angry)

Ashford 2 (Fry, Symes) Tring 1’s 9

Wokingham 2’s 5 Ashford 3’s 1 (Big Amit)

Ashford 5’s 0 Bracknell Terriers 7

Best effort of the day was the 1’s – another whole-hearted effort where, for most of the game, Ashford were on level terms. Matt Emmerton had another stellar game but unfortunately the rest of the team weren’t able to match his National League-vision. Angry got the goal and he has been on fire since he had the bionic knees put in…just needs the bionic brain now…Banbury scored with 15 mins to go and Shane then shaved the post with a drag-flick shortie which would have set up a grandstand finish but not to be….

The 2’s was look-away-now stuff and the 3’s not too far behind them. We were ahead after 30 seconds through Amit who had another excellent chance as we started very well and Wokingham were pants. After 10 mins we should have been 3-0 up but then conspired to forget how to play whatever-this-game-is-called and fell away badly to lose deservedly 5-1. Worse news was GX won and we are back bottom. Big news was all that training has not gone to waste and Big Amit is going to be a dad…we nervously await Freddie’s response…

Ashford 3’s 3 (Fry, Gordo, Adam H) Gerrards Cross 2

Yes, I’ve ripped off myself with the headline but it’s a good’un!.

When they shoot the dvd for the best 100 Ashford games EVER! , well this probably won’t make the cut, but the boys and Mrs Doggers were very happy Saturday night as we beat Gerrards Cross in the Div 3 wooden spoon game. We tried really hard not to win it going 2-0 down before tying it up at 2-all by half time. The first goal for GX was hysterical with the umpire playing a quality assist by talking to Jess while they played the ball to the unmarked centre-forward (Jess was exchanging no’s with the umpire I think) who slotted home. After conceding a poor second, DM and Gordo combined to play in Jonno, whose cross-shot was stuck in from a yard by Fry who was at his talking-a good-game-but-not–playing-it-best. Then crikey some more good play and after having 4 golden chances in one attack, Fry forced a p-flick which Gordo stepped up and converted.

We could have been in front by the end of the half and were playing well, all we needed to do in the second was continue as we’d finished. Did we? No, we were pants all half, even though we had plenty of chances to score, GX bossed the second half and had at least 5 golden chances, hitting the post twice and Jonno made a brilliant diving full-length block to save a certain goal.

Last minute, Gordo played in DM who held the ball up well before passing to Adam H and he had time to put the kettle on , make a cup of tea and read the paper before eventually shooting – the ball hit the keepers pads and looped up and everyone waited as the ball dropped just under the bar into the back of the net!!! 3-2! And just time for Shaggy to give Adam a piggyback and the full-time whistle!! You had to feel for GX and especially their keeper who had a really good game…

Ashford 1 Maidstone 4

Wokingham 1’s 6 Ashford 2’s 3

Ashford 4’s 0 Leighton Buzzard 2’s 7

Eastcote 8’s 1 Ashford 5’s 1

It was Groundhog Day again for the Red-and-Blacks as they played well and for much of the game out-played their mid-table opposition, Maidstone, but once again they were outdone by counter-attacking and better finishing. Maidstone have the leading goalscorer in Prem A this season in Chris Bassano-Harper and despite an even first half, were 2-up at the break. Coach Duncan Mahony scored a terrific goal early in the second half but as Ashford pressed for an equaliser were undone by a classic counter-attack. Young Shanie White hit the post from a drag-flick shortie and that might have set up a grandstand finish but an overtime-converted short corner by Bassano-Harper gave the final score a flattering look for the visitors. 2 notable things about this game were the 2 ‘debutantes’ for the home team, Joe Siman was playing at the bottom of the league rung against Ashford 5’s not long ago but rose up effectively 14 leagues (which coincides with the number of hairs on his head) to play a very impressive first-ever game at left back! The second debut was like something out of a Frankenstein movie – thunder and lightning flashed, the crowd started baying for no reason and where did they get those scythes and torches come from? With Spanky impersonating Igor, no make-up required, there was a crackling eldritch transformation in the home dug-out and out of the smoke and fog lurched - the horror! - the creaking 46-year-old Neil Smith, due to help out the 3’s, who came on when 14-year-old Phil Thelip was injured to give an effervescent display at right back and too many ‘Gretsky’s’ to count…he must be on commission…

The 2’s were nearly on fire shooting into a 3-2 lead with goals from Rosie and Ryan and had a Shaunie short corner disallowed for dipping above the backboard (before hitting it) which would have been 4-2 – they then ran out of steam and lost 6-3 to Wokingham 1’s.

The 4’s played Leighton Buzzard 2’s who were suspiciously good given they are 3^rd from bottom. The 4’s did ever so well to hold them to half-time but once they conceded an early goal in the second half, it all got a bit difficult for them.

The 5’s had a good game and result although will be disappointed to concede a late equaliser, young Luke scored for us.

Staines Mini Festival – Sunday 28th February 2010
Ashford U12 Girls kept a clean sheet at the Staines Mini Festival winning 3 – 0 in their first game against Staines with 2 goals from Charlotte Elms and 1 from Beth Jefferies; the Ashford goalkeeper was left standing cold without a touch. The second game against Woking’s B team was tougher especially after a 2 game break in the cold, but Ashford once again took control and the ball hardly entered their own half, when it did Bella Bogan took control as mid field sweeper with Harriet Brockwell and Sophie Giffen battling the ball away in defence. The final result was 1- 0 with Beth Jefferies getting her second goal of the tournament. The final game against Woking A team saw Captain Rasna Sandhu adding her name to the score sheet with the final score 1 – 0. Defenders Lauren Clarey and Harriet Brockwell worked hard and the attacking team only got through only once leaving Hannah Merchant in goal to make her first save of the tournament at a time when it counted most.
Coach/Manager Sam Clarey
Ashford Girls U10 had a much harder time losing 2 – 1 to Staines and Woking B in their first two games followed by a whopping 7 – 0 defeat in their last against Woking A. Hannah Bashford scored both goals for Ashford and was joined by Lily Elms, Lucy & Sophie Jennings, Sophie Meads, Caitlin & Molly Davies and Harrison Jefferies making up numbers to support the girls. Given that it was a young side all played their best.
Coach/Manager Caroline Jefferies

Ladies League Hockey 27/2/10

Middlesex Premier

WINCHMORE HILL & ENFIELD 1st XI 4 v ASHFORD 1st XI 3

Although Ashford Ladies 1st XI were still without Skipper PHIL WORSFOLD , they did at least have a squad of twelve players for their tough midday way game at Enfield on Saturday. The long, traffic ridden journey did not seem to affect the squad as they soon got into their stride from the push back and took the game to the opposition. Encouraged by their good start, the Red & Blacks opened the scoring within the first five minutes, when the speedy LUCY UTTLEY picked up a neat pass from MARIA CAVILLA on the half way line. LUCY sped past the two Winchmore Hill & Enfield defenders in her way and calmly, and yet skillfully and quickly, rounded the home team goalkeeper to slot the ball home and put Ashford one up. It was a gem of a goal and worth the journey alone. Not surprisingly the home team tried to swiftly hit back and the Red & Blacks defence got caught rather flat footed when a strike from the right was slotted in by an unmarked player by the left post, to make the scores even at 1-1 with less than ten minutes of the game played. Ashford were then put under more pressure by the home team, but the Red & Blacks continued to play for each other with acting skipper EMMA HYNES and youngster ELINE SIBIA standing tall, as they contained the opposition well. However, Winchmore then managed to get a second goal which was almost a carbon copy of the first and left questions being asked of the Red & Blacks defence. Further pressure saw some good saves by the Ashford keeper SAM GRANT, and again some nice team work by the Red & Blacks to keep the score at 2-1 until the half time break.

Unfortunately as soon as played resumed for the second half Winchmore got a third goal with another good cross from the wing being slotted home by a free forward. The Red & Blacks rallied though and good work by KELLY TAYLOR down the right saw JACQUI BASHFORD swiftly push the ball to LUCY UTTLEY whose shot went very close to scoring. Likewise another good run by KELLY saw SHARON McGLINLEY going close, only for LUCY UTTLEY to skim the post with another solo effort. Ashford also had several short corners but weren’t able to find the final touch needed, and much against the run of play Winchmore broke away and got a fourth goal to be 4-1 up. The Red & Blacks rallied yet again and got their second goal of the game when SHARON McGLINLEY prodded the ball in at the far post. Ashford then got a third when one of their short corner routines worked and ANNA PROTHEROE jabbed the ball in after interjecting the corner on the left to make the score 4-3 to the home team. Continued pressure by Ashford in the dying minutes of the game failed to see them get their much wanted and deserved equaliser and made the final score in a fast and furious game 4-3 to Winchmore Hill & Enfield. Thus the Red & Blacks failed to get any league points to help with their fight against relegation, but they did play some great hockey.

Next week Ashford have another tough game at home at midday to Hendon 1st XI who are two places above them in the League. However, if the Red & Blacks can continue to play the hockey as they did on Saturday and keep scoring the goals, the results will surely come.

Team: S. Grant (GK), E. Hynes (Skipper), S. Smart, A. Protheroe, S. Appleton, M. Cavilla, J. Bashford, B. Smith, L.Uttley, E. Sibia, S McGlinley. K. Taylor

Teddington 5 Ashford 2

Ashford 2’s 0 Aylesbury 1’s 7

Harrow 1’s 5 Ashford 3’s 0

Ashford 4’s 4 OH Fledglings 6

Leighton Buzzard 4’s 7 Ashford 5’s 0

The 1’s lost 5-2 after being 3-down at half time. They were well in the game first half and in fact dominated the first 10 minutes but Teddington had a good forward who was that bit sharper in front of goal. Second half the boys as usual kept plugging away and were rewarded when Justin scored a very good goal…apparently my unnamed source said Justin played within himself and used his brain…sound to me very much like the Pillar of Black Smoke Monster from Lost has taken over our insane Saffer but if he plays better and stays on the pitch, then who cares? Anyway second half was 2-all with Angry Dave lashing in another Big One…hope he did his Manly Roar…

The 2’s and 3’s made up for being pretty good last week by being pretty rubbish this week. The 3’s weren’t helped by a perplexing short corner from which Harrow scored their first one but seeing as we were rubbish the 15 minutes before the goal and most of the rest of the game, well we can’t complain too much (so I’m complaining a bit).

The game was overshadowed when Ryan ‘Zim’ Dare (only he and little Stef played well of our outfield players) was felled blocking a shot. A complete accident, the forwards stick rode up Ryan’s and cracked him on the back of the head and he was out for a few seconds and well woozy and had to go to hospital. He Is Fine…Update from his Dad was…’that the hospital let him out on Sunday with a big box of pain killers and six staples in his head. He was at school on Monday, even though he’s got a pretty savage headache (which is to be expected!). Staples come out on Friday.’ Anyway, important thing is it was a long corner…

We have a wooden spoon game against GX next week and I trust we have reserved our good play for that game!

The 4’s had a cracker of a game against one of the best sides in the league, Oxford Hawks Fledglings, and lost 6-4 with a goal disallowed that would have made it 5-all!! Weapon X got a hat trick and younger bro’, Weapon Alpha, the other. Fledglings scored all the goals from short corners of which they had about 20 while we had none at all, apparently a very open game!!

The 5’s did fantastically well to get a side out – they had 10 but with players out Orex did a great job! – but it was a bit tough!

Ladies League Hockey 20/2/10
Middlesex Premier

EASTCOTE 2nd XI 6 v ASHFORD 1st XI 1

Ashford Ladies 1st XI had to travel to Brunel University to play League leaders and the team undefeated so far this season, Eastcote 2nd team on Saturday morning. The Red & Blacks were again short of several regular squad members, with Skipper PHIL WORSFOLD still injured and KELLY TAYLOR still away on holiday. However, the Red & Blacks were able to welcome back young striker LUCY UTTLEY. Unfortunately coach MANDY WAIN was unwell and not able to travel with the team for the game, the start of which was delayed for thirty minutes or so due to the pitch still being slightly frozen in places.

Despite the problems and delays, Ashford settled quickly into their stride and played some good hockey against a very competent Eastcote squad. As both sides pressed for the opening goal, it was the home team who scored first from a good, running strike. Ashford soon hit back though when the ever alert LUCY UTTLEY stole the ball off an Eastcote defender and slipped a pass to striker SHARON McGLINLEY. SHARON fired a fine shot goal wards and proficient goal getter MARIA CAVILLA forced the ball home from close in, to make the scores even at 1-1. The Red & Blacks still continued to play some of their best hockey of the season, but they were not getting ‘the rub of the green’ playing wise or with some of the umpiring decisions. Shortly before half time the home team once again took the lead with another good strike and went into the half time break 2-1 ahead.

The game initially followed a similar pattern in the second half, with the Red & Blacks doing quite well, but they soon tired. Having only eleven players, there were no substitutes available and thus no fresh legs could be brought on and heads went down somewhat. Eastcote meanwhile had a squad of fourteen players to utilise and they capitalised on it by pressurising the Ashford defence for rest of the second half. As Eastcote piled on the pressure, they secured short corner after short corner and Ashford wilted somewhat. Despite stout goalkeeping by SAM GRANT and fine play by defenders SOPHIE SMART and BRYONY SMITH, who shared the player of the match award, Eascote dominated proceedings. They deservedly soon went further ahead with several good strikes to notch another four goals and secure another win and three points and win by six goals to one. Ashford were obviously disappointed with the score line and their poor second half display, but they did themselves proud in the first half with some excellent hockey.

Next week Ashford have to travel to North London to face Winchmore Hill & Enfield first team, who are three places above them in the League. Coach Mandy Wain will be hoping that not only will she be able to return to active duty, but so will some of her injured squad. Ashford have only four games left to play now and need to secure a couple more league points to ensure Premier League safety.

Team: S. Grant (GK), E. Hynes (Skipper), S. Smart, A. Protheroe, S. Appleton, M. Cavilla, J. Bashford, B. Smith, L Uttley, E. Sibia, S McGlinley

Ashford 0 Staines 3

Ashford 2’s 7 (Rosie 4, Shaunie 3) Mill Hill 1’s 1

Ashford 3’s 0 Newbury & Thatched Roof 2’s 2

Apologies for tardiness and reduced burble-ocity too – I’ve had to do some work this week. Shorn of 4 of their squad for various reasons, the 1’s stood up well to our neighbours who still harbour hopes of winning the league. We lost 3-0; nevertheless they can be happy with their performance if not result and, in particular, the second half, where Staines were only able to convert a debatable penalty. James Wheeler had a spectacular game in goal as Staines dominated early doors and could have had the game won in the first 20 minutes. They converted only one of 8 short corners and then added another with another deflected short corner to lead by 2 goals to nil at half time. Andy Barnes marshalled his defence superbly in the second half as Ashford held Staines but as has proven the problem this season, could not convert their pressure into goals. Coach Duncan Mahony said after the game ‘I’m proud of the lads, they never give up and the second half played some fantastic stuff, we just need to do it for the 70 minutes.

The 2nds had the result of their season earning some measure of revenge for their 10-4 drubbing earlier in the season by Mill Hill, Rosie and Shaunie were on fire scoring all 7 goals.

The 3’s had a great game against N&T riding high in second. One-nil down for a long period, as has happened often this season, but we did create chances and should have equalised though the visitors were profligate in front of goal to be honest. Their umpire ignored a stone-cold penalty when Jonno was upended by the keeper (missed ball, got player), which could have meant 1-all. As it was they finally got the second with 12 minutes to go, however we really played well, little Stef and Ryan (Zim) came in and were fantastic and Lukey was a revelation up front

4’s and 5’s got a bit drubbed but the oppo were well knackered by the end

Ladies League Hockey 13/2/10
Middlesex Premier
ASHFORD 1st XI 2 v MILL HILL 1st XI 2
Ashford Ladies 1st XI were again short of several regular squad members, with Skipper PHIL WORSFOLD still injured after last week’s win, and KELLY TAYLOR and LUCY UTTLEY both away on holiday for their home game at home to Mill Hill 1st XI on Saturday.. However, the Red & Blacks were able to welcome back strikers SHARON McGLINLEY, and LIV YOUNG, the latter making her first appearance of the season, but they once again only had a squad of eleven. Unfortunately due to a sudden family illness, Ashford midfielder JACQUI BASHFORD wasn’t able to make the start of the game, so the home team lined up with only ten players. Likewise, the visitors Mill Hill had a couple of late arrivals and when the game started they only had nine players. Despite their lack of numbers, it was the visitors who started the brighter of the two teams and opened the scoring early on. The Red & Blacks rallied though and after several scoring opportunities they scored, when the ever improving central defender SARAH APPLETON put a long ball through to striker MARIA CAVILLA who picked it up just over the half way line and charged up the pitch and beat the goalkeeper neatly to notch the equaliser for Ashford. By this stage of the game, both teams were up to a full complement and the addition of hard working midfielder JACQUI BASHFORD helped to keep Ashford well on top. However, the Red & Blacks were not making the best of their opportunities. A second goal did come their way though, when LIV YOUNG sped down the right and crossed the ball to SHARON McGLINLEY at the top of the circle who slipped the ball to MARIA CAVILLA, whose first shot was saved by the Mill hill keeper, but MARIA slotted the rebound home to put Ashford 2-1 up. Despite having many chances, neither side scored again in the first half.

The game followed a similar pattern in the second half, with the Red & Blacks on top but
they were again not converting their superiority into goals. SHARON McGLINLEY went close on several occasions, but the deputy Mill Hill goalkeeper stood firm as Ashford hit too many straight strikes straight at her. Any Mill Hill attacks were mainly well contained by the Ashford defence, and in particular by player of the match defender SOPHIE SMART. As the game drew to a close, with Ashford were still not really playing in top gear, but they were looking like gaining maximum points as they piled on the attacks. An innocent looking ball down the left side by Mill hill, saw Ashford with five players against two Mill Hill forwards, but the Mill Hill player drove speedily through to the top of the Ashford circle and put the ball to the right hand post, where her team mate was free and able to put the ball in the net to snatch an unexpected equaliser. With only a few minutes left Ashford piled forward and in the last minute of the game secured their first short corner of the game. Unfortunately they were not able to convert it and had to settle for a draw when a win had looked well within their grasp.

Thus the Red & Blacks only drew a game they should have won easily. Next week Ashford have a very tough morning game away to the undefeated and top of the table team Eastcote 2nd XI. The good news is that coach MANDY WAIN has at least thirteen players from her regular squad available which should boost the team’s confidence greatly.

Team: S. Grant (GK), E. Hynes (Skipper), S. Smart, A. Protheroe, S. Appleton, M. Cavilla, J. Bashford, B. Smith, L Young, E. Sibia, S McGlinley

Brighton 4 Ashford 0

Ashford 2’s 1 (Elliot) Eastcote 2’s 7

City of Oxford 3 Ashford 3’s 2 (Dash, Adam H)

Ashford 4’s 2 (Stef, ‘K’) Maidenhead Magicians 4

Amersham & Chalfont 5’s 0 Ashford 5’s 3 (Weapon X!)

A familiar story for the 1’s – a great effort by the lads with a lot to applaud but little going their way. The first goal was a cross volleyed in by Luke who had a fantastic captain’s game. The second came from a chance for Duncan saved by the keeper and went to their right back – 10 seconds later, they have scored! Spoke to 3 of the team and they said the same thing, team played well and never gave up. Staines this week and a similar performance with a couple of goals please!!

2’s could not maintain their improved performances of late and lost 7-1

3’s were oh so close but ultimately paid for a poor start. City of Oxford bossed us about as we played without cohesion and just when we’d started to sort ourselves out, a deflected cross set up their forward for their first after 20 minutes. A short that wasn’t a short was their second. Despite the fluffy hair, Shaggy has re-invented himself as our ruthless, hard man Douglas Jardine even questioning an umpire’s decision?!! And telling Gordo ‘less hopeful passes please’, withering stuff.

Interesting difference in the 2 umpires wrt young Dom, who  has been playing central defense for the past few weeks and whose play has been ’robust’ and very effective - one who had no problem with his play and the other blew pretty much everything against him which made things difficult for us particularly in the first half.

Second half, we played well and it was a competitive game. 10/12 minutes in and Chris D used his most potent weapon i.e. his bum to hold off their midfielder, he then played in Dash who ran the ball 30-odd yards before rounding the keeper with aplomb to score…game on… except we then conceded a third…Dash and Adam H then played some lovely one-two hockey for Adam to score to set up a frantic last 5 minutes but we need to make a bit more of our pressure if we want to get a positive result.

4’s had a great game against Maidenhead – they lost 4-2 but the young lads and old’uns really gelled…apparently it was a quick, flowing, high-standard game and we can be very pleased with our boys. Interesting to see not-so-young Big John playing left half and putting in his claim for moving up a team!!

5’s won 3-0 and it wasn’t a walkover! Even-Stevens at half time, they managed to pass the ball to Weapon X who got a hat trick and the 5’s are nestled in the lofty heights of mid-table!!

Ladies League Hockey 6/2/10

Middlesex Premier

EASTCOTE 3rd XI 1 v ASHFORD 1st XI 2
Ashford travelled to Brunel University on Saturday to play Eastcote 3rd XI in a game the Red & Blacks had to win to ensure that they moved not only out of the relegation zone, but also to secure their first victory in three months. The home team were one place below Ashford in the League before the game, but without a win all season and no League points on the board, which also added spice to the game. Once again injuries and unavailability left coach MANDY WAIN with only eleven players, and short of regular striker SHARON McGLINLEY and speedy midfielder LUCY UTTLEY. However, on the plus side, right side midfielder BRYONY SMITH returned after a week away from action. The pre midday start and change to the black and red away strip seemed to suit Ashford, who after an initial blip when midfielder ANNA PROTHEROE received a green card for hitting the ball away at a free hit in the first two minutes of play, quickly hit top form. The whole team started brightly and took charge of the game with some fluid hockey, especially by youngster KELLY TAYLOR and the evergreen striker MARIA CAVILLA. It was therefore no surprise when the ever alert MARIA CAVILLA slotted the ball home to put Ashford deservedly one goal ahead midway through the first half. Any attacks Eastcote did have were well contained by the solid Ashford defence, in which once again SOPHIE SMART and EMMA HYNES starred. In the second part of the first half, Ashford Skipper PHIL WORSFOLD started to suffer with a back injury, but bravely played on in her normal central defender role. Shortly before the break Ashford went further ahead, when on song striker MARIA CAVILLA got a stunning second goal with a sparkling individual goal, to see Ashford go into the half time interval with a two goals to nil lead.

The second half saw Ashford reduced to only ten fit players as PHIL WORSFOLD’S injury worsened and she was unable to play at her usual high standard. This gave Eastcote heart and they mounted numerous attacks and secured a multitude of short corners. Ashford coped well with them though with the ever improving centre back SARAH APPLETON again working tirelessly and effectively in her number one runner role at defending short corners. Goalkeeper SAM GRANT also performed competently, even when a penalty flick was initially given against her, which was subsequently reversed. As the half wore on so the sparkling play of Ashford diminished and shortly before the end, an almost ‘own goal’ by unlucky defender ELINE SIBIA opened the scoring for Eastcote. Ashford remained strong though, ably led by their ‘player of the match’ EMMA HYNES, to secure the much needed three points and their first victory in 2010. The win sees Ashford move up a place to seventh in the league, nine points ahead of the bottom two teams.

Next week is another crucial one for the Red & Blacks as they are at home at 12 noon to Mill Hill 1st XI, who are currently bottom of the League and also without any wins and League points. Coach MANDY WAIN will be hoping that the injury list isn’t too heavy and that the team can once again play as well as they did in the first half of this game.

Team: S. Grant (GK), E. Hynes, S. Smart, P. Worsfold (Skipper), A. Protheroe, S. Appleton, M. Cavilla, J. Bashford, B. Smith, K. Taylor, E. Sibia

Sunday 31st January 2010

Richmond & Wimbledon Mixed/Boys Mini Hockey Festival

Ashford had a return journey back to Richmond this week with mixed U9 team, U10 and U12 boys. The mixed team coaches Gordon Smith and Caroline Jefferies were particularly pleased with Captain Caitlin Davies who alongside, Lily Elms and Emily Bashford continuously battled away. They were joined by Reece Sharma, James Bashford, Sophie Jennings and her sister Lucy Jennings who all played their best. They faced some strong sides and despite losing 6 – 0, 2 – 0, 5 – 0 to Richmond Lions, Richmond Panthers and Wimbledon A teams they did manage a goalless draw against Wimbledon B. They are a very young side with James Bashford being the youngest at 5 years of age. Mum Jacqui Bashford who plays for the Ladies first team and is helping the team build their skills alongside the coaches was pleased to see her 3 rising stars playing for Ashford today.
The U10 boy’s team captained by Harrison Jefferies was joined by Kieron Horrill, Ben Glegg, Jagdev Bal, Jack Bayliss, and George Ridley with Lauren Clarey and Hannah Bashford making up the numbers. Kieron Horrill scored 2 goals, Hannah Bashford 1 and George Ridley got a well deserved hat trick. They came third in the tournament winning 3 – 0 then 4 – 0 against Richmond Lions but lost 1 – 0 and 2 – 0 against Richmond Panthers and Wimbledon.
The boys U 12 team started their tournament with a 1 – 1 draw against Richmond Lions but then won their second 3 – 0 against Richmond Panthers. Their 3rd game was against a strong Wimbledon side that only just beat them by 2 -1 but was very close with end to end play. They met Richmond Panthers again in the semis but comfortably sailed into the finals after winning 3 – 0. They met Wimbledon again in the final and another battle of end to end play looked like it was going to end in a draw but Wimbledon managed to gain the upper hand in the last few minutes winning 2 – 1 in the end and Ashford had to settle with runner up place 2 weeks in a row. Captain Adesh Aulakh was joined by Harrison Jefferies in some excellent defending with George Elms stepping in to play in goal at the last minute for the first time making countless saves. Sam Betts scored am impressive 6 goals during the tournament and Jack Ridley put 1 away after some great 1-2 hockey with Brother George Ridley. Danny Stent made his first appearance for the team with Beth Jefferies and Charlotte Elms stepping in as subs to make up the numbers to give players some rest after some of them had played 2 tournaments straight. Both Charlotte Elms and Beth Jefferies managed to score a goal each during their short time on the pitch.
Coaches Adrian Hewes and Sam Clarey were pleased with how all the teams played.