Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

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

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

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

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

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

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

Player of the Match:
Katie greene and Sharon Mc ginley

If hockey were football then the return of Mike Williamson as guest coach would have been akin to the return of the messiah at Tyneside. The only other difference being that whereas Keegan is still looking for his first win, Williamson has already made his mark in helping Ashford secure a win against a decent mid table side away from home.

The win closes the 4-point gap to just 2 points from 9^th place, theoretically considered safe. Ashford started well and within 4 minutes were one up with J Webber assisting McFarlane to create an opening that was put away.

Ashford had much of the play in the first 20 minutes holding the ball well, creating good openings and so it was against the run of play that Hawks equalized through a defensive error by Olly Smith. His touch to clear was deflected to an Oxford Hawks attacker who scored from close range. The previous week this would have seen a collapse in morale and Oxford might have leveraged the equalizer to inflict more misery on Ashford. Under Williamson the team just carried on playing good hockey. The body language, work rate and the shape showed no evidence of changing.

In the 27^th minute Mcfarlane hit the post with a close range effort. The half time team talk was positive and attentive as the best hockey coach in the UK calmly reiterated the points that would, without question, bring victory. It was made so as Ashford won a penalty corner after 48 minutes and Jimmy Webbers drag flick deflected in off a defenders stick. Amazing that the bad luck of other games this season was exorcised by a deflection and a deserved lead.

This was followed by a clearance off the line by the Oxford defender a few minutes later. Granger then beat two players in an aggressive run into the D passing the ball to Andrew Webber on the flick spot to score a great team goal making it 3-1 to Ashford. Of course no game would be complete without at least one yellow card and the umpires had their fill from the action when they carded the Webber brothers in short succession.

The outcome was never in doubt after that, as Oxford Hawks looked second best despite winning 2 penalty corners near the end.

How strange that the same players who had been misfiring for the majority of the season looked like a top 3 side today not only in ability but also in belief.

With 3 more games to go and a tough one next week against Chichester, Ashford still have it in them to escape relegation and the next few weeks are going to be just as exciting and stressful as the run-in last season when promotion was the talking point.

Man of the Match
Ant Appleyard

Scorers
Dan Williams, Gordo

A new tip and a reminder this week - Tip no 4 for young, aspiring hockey professionals – don’t be cheeky to your mother and get yourself grounded so you can’t play hockey. I have been guilty of the first 3 but have never fallen foul of no.4 being a confirmed mummy’s boy.

I did however fall foul of Tip no 1 – don’t eat a curry the night before a game – especially not a Chicken Vindaloo! I knew at the time I shouldn’t be doing it but couldn’t help myself. Come Saturday and 5 no 2’s and I was feeling a bit light-headed – in fact a bit lighter generally – anyway with the thought of one of Rosemary’s teas later, I clenched everything together and curry-ed on with the game.

Aylesbury are a decent passing team and that is always a good way to play against us! Fortunately they were a little wasteful up front and Ant had his best game of the season for us and so we were only 1 down at halftime, which - again – became 2 soon after the restart.

As usual we then got our act together and started to have some possession and force the oppo back a bit – they also only had 11, which may have been a factor in the last 20.

We got one back midway through the half when a cross from a nameless person on the right found Fat Dan in time and space 6 or 7 yards out. All expected him to lift the ball over the bar as per usual but he didn’t get it quite right and flicked it into the roof of the net! OK Dan finished well! We gained confidence from this and could have had a couple from shorts and time was running out when Dicky Chessman picked up a clearance and cracked it behind their defensive line where Gordo was lurking out of position to do the Gordo deflection (copyright pending) from 4 feet out – cue the manly roar.

So our first draw, a great point and with 4 games to go, a strategic win i.e. in 2 weeks should see us stay up

Saturday 16^th February, yet another sunny winter’s day (what IS with this weather???) and the 2^nd XI welcomed bottom of the league Lewes to Short Lane for another test of the team’s new found metal.  Bar one change (the Granger returning from his tour of the Southern Hemisphere) we started with the same team that beat Eastcote 3 – 1 the week before.   Targeting three points, we went into this in an upbeat mood. 

Keen to make a mark on his return, Granger led the front with Rosey, pressured the Lewes defense into some basic errors and allowed us to enjoy a lot of the play.  Now, this to any other team would be normal, yet for the 2s, it’s a strange phenomenon and we’re not entirely used to it.  So despite all of the early possession and chances, it took us nearly 15 minutes to convert the pressure into an outcome. 

Following good work down the right, the ball landed at Granger’s feet at the top of the ‘D’.  His shot was saved, as was the follow up from Rosey; however with that rebound landing at Cole’s feet he calmly drag ‘scooped’ the ball over the oncoming ‘keeper and into the back of the net.  Reasonable finish that as we all expected a typical wind up and ‘release of the beast’ type shot.  Well done Cole.  

A good start which we typically floundered a few minutes later by letting Lewes into the game, enjoy possession and pressure us in defense. Pressure which resulted in a short corner and a well converted flick into the top left corner. 

Still, this 2^nd XI are built of sterner stuff these days and another flowing move down our right saw Granger deliver a peach of a pass to the unmarked Rosey, right in front of the ‘keeper.  A deft touch from the youngster down his right foot with back to goal deflected the ball into the opposite corner.  Beautiful.  2-1 and half time. 

We kept things the same in the 2^nd half and continued to enjoy the majority of the play but in an unfamiliar situation we found ourselves stretched as fitness came into the fray.  And with stretched play came desperate defending as we were always vulnerable on the break.  More on that in a bit. 

Fine moves from the midfield through Cole, Smart, Harry and the outside halves gave Rosey and Granger some great chances upfront and if it wasn’t for a string of saves from the Lewes ‘keeper this could have been a cricket score. 

We scored our 3^rd around fifteen minutes into the half when Granger scored the first of his brace with a delightful reverse stick hit across the ‘D’.  3 – 1. 

And with that we started to take our foot off the gas as the 3 points felt comfortably within our grasp. Of course, that meant Lewes attacked more and we defended more.  Something we’re all too familiar with this year.  Desperate tackles to break up Lewes play saw Harry receive a yellow and then, to make it worse, Granger was given a yellow for dissent.  Who said we didn’t like to make it interesting?! 

Lewes scored from another short corner (it was a bit of a mess and doesn’t really deserve comment so we’ll leave it at that) but shortly after returning to full strength, we grabbed a fourth through Granger again.  Another well worked move from the right (whatever happened to our left?) saw yet another reverse stick hit bouncing off the backboard much to our delight. 

With 10 minutes left, there was still time for us to create a bounty of chances (and we really should have scored more) but things were levelled by the umpires after 2 Lewes players were yellowed for persistent bad tackles.  They were fortunate not to have a third dismissed with 2 minutes left after another quick break from Ashford.  Common sense finally prevailing in the umpires minds. 

The game ended, we achieved 3 points, goals and most impressively for the first time this season back-to-back wins.  We creep closer to safety but with Canterbury winning and Eastcote drawing we stay in the same perilous position.  Now though, we are buoyed by confidence and form. 

Things could, just could, be looking up for us as we approach the season run-in. 

Well done boys, proud of you this week. 

The 2s travel to mid-table London Wayfarers on Saturday as one of the in-form teams of the league.   

Washer

Middlesex Premier League

Player of the Match:
Katie Greene

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

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

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

Ashford go down in Kent

Ashford went to Maidstone with high hopes after a fighting performance last week against the league leaders but the story was going to become a familiar one after a decent first half performance was thrown away by a return, in the second half, to the sort of performance from earlier in the season.

The astro at Maidstone takes getting used to with its spongy texture making it difficult to keep the ball on the ground. Players with good technique can cope but even those players need more than five minutes to warm up especially if they are playing away from home.

Manager, Martin Smith was concerned with the low key warm up but nevertheless Ashford started well with good possession and pressure on Maidstone. The pressure told as 3 short corners were won and all 3 were cleared off the line. Maidstone have some fine players with good skills and accompanying the skill there is an element of steel with tough physical players prepared to use their body and strength, sometimes illegally, to gain advantage. Some of these ‘tackles’ may be punished more harshly in Middlesex then they are in Kent but would be perfectly legal on a rugby pitch.

It was against the run of play in the 21_st minutes when a hip high pass across the pitch from left to right found a Maidstone attacker un marked, he ran into the D and from an angle hit a shot that hit the backboard. Ashford came back and after some good attacks won a short corner resulting in Mcfarlane dragflicking the equalizer.

Ashford were comfortable at half time and were confident that superior fitness would give them the edge in the second half. That was short lived as a break from the right just 3 minutes into the half gave Maidstone the lead. 7 minutes later it was 3-1 as a short corner routine was dispatched clinically.

Ashford fought back and they were still in the game. Just as you thought the tide was going to turn Maidstone broke again and made it 4-1. There were still 17 minutes to go when Joe Lewis positioned himself perfectly at the far post to guide the ball for Ashford’s second goal The 5_th Maidstone goal was a great individual effort with the player running through beating 2 defenders and hitting a shot that thudded against the backboard.

The second half performance was disheartening; a lack of fight and passion with some naïve play and individual errors took away the good work of the first half. A missed penalty flick could have made it 6-2 minutes from the end as Appleyard, in frustration, clattered a Maidstone player.

The result leaves Ashford second from bottom with just 5 games to go and there needs to be a dramatic improvement over the next few weeks if Ashford are to play in this division next season.

9 Feb Ashford 4’s 1 Abingdon 2’s 2

Goal scorer:
Big Amit

16 Feb Birkbeck College 3 Ashford 4’s 0

Goal scorer:
them!

We managed nearly one decent game across these 2 games - unsurprisingly we garnered nul points.

Abingdon was a much better performance against a better team though Birkbeck we didn’t get the best prep turning up at the wrong venue through no fault of our own.

Abingdon first - poor first half by us, they passed and moved well and we were fortunate to be only one down at half time and they soon stuck another in. Then something strange happened - our best player, Dawson, hobbled off with a dodgy groin - I told him to groin and bear it - and we managed to first hold the oppo then with a lot of effort rather than flair or skill push them back and had the last 20 minutes as they tired. Amit scored with the Big Whack and the ‘keeper made a very good save from a Gordo deflection who was then very upset with himself when he managed to miss another Big Amit Whack and we put numerous balls across the D, sticks were flailing but nowhere near the ball and we lost 2-1 to a team who are 3^rd and looking at promotion.

Birkbeck was not a good day at all, sent to the wrong venue by the oppo, we arrived late at Cranford, which is a horrible surface, and were never at the races. 2 goals down in the first half we did improve in the 2^nd but huffed and puffed to little effect and when they added a 3^rd with 15 minutes left that was it….and then no tea!!…So we departed with no points, sweaty, smelly, grumpy and hungry (the other 3 dwarves were missing)…

Man of the Match:
Rosey 

Saturday 9^th February, a sunny winter’s day and the 2^nd XI travelled to Eastcote for a crunch game…a must win game.  As always, changes to the team were made as we continue to struggle with a consistent starting XI; Adam Smith returning in goal this week.  We desperately needed to win this game to move away from the bottom two and hang on to the coat tails of mid-table.

Not the best build up to the game: arrived late, had to borrow a ‘keepers helmet from Eastcote and warmed up on the side of the pitch.  That said, team spirits were high, there was some good banter and the shambles of a pre match were quickly out of our minds once the game started.    

Early pressure came from a predominantly young Eastcote side, with plenty of movement in Ashford’s ‘D’ – early chances were well saved by Adam in goal, who looked like he’d never left the position.  With Shar and Digger marshalling the backs we absorbed the pressure well and started to play the ball through our midfield.  Gaps soon appeared in Eastcote’s set-up down their flanks and we started to enjoy territory with the ball.  A couple of good moves down the left through Charlie, Carl and Dan Holland up front producing a succession of long corners. 

With this pressure Ashford took the lead after 20 minutes.  An excellent cross field ball from Meadows found Captain Washer on the right.  Cutting inside the young left back, he found Rosey on the baseline, he beat his marker and crossed for Dan Holland to shoot into the keeper.  With typical panache, Cole had followed up from midfield and tucked the re-bound away.  A deserved lead. 

The rest of the half continued much in the same way:  Eastcote pressure followed by Ashford counter attack.  As always, young Dan Rose continued to thwart the oppo defenders with another composed performance and worked well with Dan ‘one-trick pony’ Holland. 

Half time came; we were tired but encouraged as we knew a win was on. In the 2^nd half we changed things around a little to man mark Eastcote’s playmaker so we could suffocate them further.  It didn’t work though as Eastcote levelled five minutes after the restart.  With a cross expected from a tight angle, Adam was caught surprised as the shot flew in at the far post.  We wobbled, not a good start, Eastcote felt the tide turn. 

Except that didn’t happen this time.  Resolute at the back, Billy in his best performance of the season had plenty of space and was able to release the pressure from the Eastcote forwards.  We also started to get the rub of the green with the umpires for the first time this season.   

A tactical change saw Prince Harry move into the man marking position to give Smarty a rest with Rakey coming in at left back.  Both excelled themselves and we started to threaten on the counter again.    

On 50 minutes, Billy cleared from the back with a typical clout up the pitch, the ball somehow finding man-of-the-match Rosey who with his first touch was able to turn the ball round his marker and onto the Eastcote keeper.  One-on-one, he rounded calmly, headed wide and coolly slotted the ball through the 2 defenders on the line.  No shot needed.  Good goal with a strange celebration from the young man who now resembles a young Graham Smart with his haircut! 

At this point you could see Eastcote’s heads dropped and we sniffed a win.

To Eastcote’s credit though they continued to press and produced a succession of short corners.  We repelled them all but had started to fall deep to protect the lead. There were some desperate tackles, Billy bravely going in on a reverse stick hit and stopping it was typical of the Ashford performance throughout:  Resolute, brave and wanting to win.   

With 4 minutes remaining, we broke out of defence again, Rosey mugging his defender again only to be taken out by another in the ‘D’ – penalty stroke.  Digger strolled up from the back and buried it.  We knew then we’d won and deserved it as well. 

The brief for this game was to follow the example of the men’s 1^st XI and win at all costs – even if it was ugly.  For large periods of this game we chased the ball and defended the trenches but going forward we are one of the best teams in this league and it showed today.  Four key chances and we took three of them (our best conversion of the season).  Well done lads, a bit of breathing space as we move ahead of Canterbury and away from the relegation zone.  A performance that proves we’re good enough to compete in this league. 

The 2s welcome Lewes to Short Lane on Saturday for yet another must win. 

Washer  

Player of the Match:
Phil Worsfold

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

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

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

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

Proud performance

Ashford took on leaders Fareham who had been scoring an average of just under 5 goals a game and only conceding 1 in all the league matches they had played so far. Promotion is almost certain for Fareham while Ashford’s season is certain to carry on being a roller coaster ride.

Despite the difference in league rankings Ashford started well but conceded an early goal after just 7 minutes when the ball was needlessly given away from an Ashford free hit in the Fareham half. The lapse of concentration was punished with a counter-attacking move, which resulted in Fareham celebrating an early lead.This spurred Ashford to play some of the best hockey of the season as they fought to claw back the game. Emmerton hit the post and there was a fine save from the Fareham keeper.

Good possession and good tempo meant that Ashford looked like a side quite capable of competing with the top side as they camped in the Fareham half looking for a breakthrough. That came when they won a short corner after some good pressure. The set piece became a farce as the ball went past Olly Smith and Jimmy Webber; Fareham broke away and within 15 seconds of the short corner had added a second.That goal took the stuffing out of Ashford as within the next 5 minutes Fareham scored another 2. Ashford had 3 yellow cards making the half time team talk somewhat challenging as the boys went in 4 nil down.

Fareham don’t lead the league by accident. They are an excellent side, well drilled playing a 3-1-3-3 formation, first introduced by the Germans in the 80’s. There’s good movement off the ball, they pass with high tempo and no player holds the ball long enough for anyone to close them down. This gives them fluidity and movement that the lesser sides in the league cannot live with. It was starting to look the same story for Ashford.

Starting with 8 men for 10 minutes of the second half meant that Fareham added a 5^th and before long it was 6 nil. Despite the scoreline Ashford fought back and a bad foul by the Fareham keeper not only earned him a yellow card but allowed Ashford to get back into the game through a penalty flick which Jimmy Webber put away.

The break gave the boys time to think and for the last 15 minutes they played hockey on par with some of the games of last season. Suddenly the belief they had in the first 20 minutes of the game came flooding back. Beautiful and vintage Ashford pass and move hockey came visiting Short Lane.

With 3 minutes to go Ashford had scored another 3 goals bringing the score back to 6-4. Fareham looked flustered and it would have been the first time that this side had been under any real pressure this season, the side doing this to them was an Ashford side short of resources made up by sheer passion of not wanting to be embarrassed on their home ground. As the clock ran down Fareham were relieved and a brave effort by the Ashford boys ended in a defeat but a proud performance.

There were some excellent performances especially from Dan Appleyard and an eye catching one from Mark Bryan. Andrew Webber played one of his best games this season as he revelled against opposition who will comfortably sit in the National league next season.

Hard fought victory lifts Ashford

A cold sunny day at the Sussex University yielded victory for AHC after an ugly but hard working performance saw the boys pick up their 4^th win in 5 games. That wasn’t the only result as Martin Smith celebrated becoming a granddad as Mr and Mrs Jody Smith became proud parents of a baby boy half way through the game.

Both sides looked tentative with little goalmouth action but after just 6 minutes AHC broke away and Andrew Webber picked the ball just outside the right hand side of the D and played a pass to the far post where a well anticipated run saw Matt Emerton deflect the ball to make it 1-0.

Rather than the early lead being the catalyst for Ashford to play a more expansive style of hockey the goal resulted in a style of play to protect the lead. Brighton are a poor side and never really looked like coming back into the game. In previous years this Ashford side would have scored a handful of goals in the first half for a decisive victory but confidence is fragile at the moment and the focus is on achieving results, Dan Appleyard, in goal, had very little to do for most of the game and the 3 short corners in the game were all won by AHC.

There is a determination in the team to get some positive results after being at the wrong end of the table for most of the season. The hockey isn’t pretty but slowly, steadily and painfully Ashford are starting to put results together that has seen them climb a couple of places over the last few weeks with the only blip being the 4-2 defeat against local rivals Staines. Kessels has been a revelation in partnering Olly Smith in the centre of defence. Jimmy Webber has played out of position for most of the season and has had to adapt to playing a position, which has restricted his attacking play.

McFarlane, Baker and Jody Smith should return to the side next week as Ashford take on runaway league leaders Fareham. The formbook says that Fareham should comfortably pick up 3 points but the Ashford boys should have a point to prove and perhaps with no pressure and no expectation these boys can rally and put in a performance that harks back to the days when the opposition came to play at Short Lane with damage limitation as their target.

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

Goalscorer

Cuffey

See 26 Jan post on Marlow game posted today for a much better result and report!

Hmmm well this was a case of men against boys…and we were the boys….Henley played short, pass and move hockey and had much better control of the ball and we struggled all first half to cope with them…even though on paper we were much stronger than the previous week against Marlow (who beat Henley the week before that!!).

We had chances early on but could not trouble their keeper whereas they were troubling Ant - at 3 down he hurt his ankle again and Matt Samouels deputised very well for him but he let in another 2 for a scary-looking 5-zip scoreline at half time.

2nd half we more than salvaged a bit of pride with Cuffey scoring instantly but then doing his knee in unfortunately - and the game was more even as we showed a lot of backbone although Henley continued to pass the ball better.

We could have got a couple of goals back and should have had a penalty and hopefully we have our form back for next week (although we are looking at a raft of personnel changes)…Henley scored in the last minute to equalise the half!…onwards and hopefully upwards next week!… 

AHC Colts had a good weekend away at the Richmond HC Tournamen, with the U9’s mixed winning their league games 4 - 2 against Wimbledon B, and second game 4 - 2 against Teddington B but unfotunately lost out in the final to a strong Teddington A side 3 - 0. Goal scorers Sam Betts and Robin Wheeler.

U11A boys side had a good win against Teddington B 3 - 0 and another against Richmond 2 - 0 but unfortunately lost out to Teddington A in the final 1 - 0. Goal scorers Gregg Smith, Luke Wheeler and Charlie TG.

Ul1B mixed side did really well putting up a good fight in their leagues matches and a good performance all round.

Both the U9 mixed and U11 boys teams have played 10 mini matches this season and have won 9, drew 0 and lost 1. The final’s this weekend were the first defeats for both teams all season.

Managers/Coaches Jakki Wheeler and Sam Clarey are really pleased with how all the Colts are performing.