Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

MENS 1st XI. Thursday 22nd Home vs Amersham & Chalfont, won 2-1. Saturday 24th away to Barnes, 1-1

After a heavy defeat the previous weekend, the ‘Ford recovered well and ended their five match pre-season programme with a home win and an away draw.

They had beaten midweek visitors to the Lane, Amersham & Chalfont 5-0 in their opening practice fixture and when Chris Bolton opened the scoring after ten minutes and Ryan Holland won a penalty stroke shortly afterwards a similar score looked on the cards. However, Holland after put the stroke high, wide and not very handsome. A & C broke away and were contentiously awarded a similar award which was converted to give the visitors and equaliser they did not deserve. Instead of holding the comfortable lead that their slick hockey merited, the’ Ford changed ends level. More flowing hockey followed in the second half and eventually Bolton netted his second for a morale boosting 2-1 win.

On Saturday, the ‘Ford travelled to meet Barnes, also relegated from South Premier 2 last season and welcomed back Andy Barnes, Jas Nijhar, Matt Emmerton, Elliott Symes and new recruit from the north west, Andy Tunna and for once fielded something approaching a full strength side. Alex Betts set the tone with a fine penetrating run down the left and the ‘Ford dominated the early exchanges with some neat, patient hockey. So, the away fans must have thought it was deja-vu all over again when Barnes capitalised on a slack pass into midfield and scored with a shot that really should have been saved. However, unlike so often in the past couple of seasons the floodgates did not open and the ‘Ford defence held firm.

They actually dominated the second half, scored a fine equlaiser through Jas Nijhar and went close on several more occasions.

The league season starts next week and after an encouraging pre-season and several new players, things do not look quite so bleak for the men in black. Current fitness level need to be improved but for once the light at the end of a tunnel may not be an oncoming locomotive.

Ashford’s programme of pre-season matches continued with a midweek fixture under the lights at the Lane against Henley and a trip to play the second string of England Hockey Leaguers, Wimbledon.

Missing several key players, Ashford put together a series of dazzling moves against Henley but could not find the finishing touch until Elliott Symes popped up at the far post with five minutes left. It was really only a consolation as by then, Henley had made the most of their limited number of chances and were leading 3-0 .

The AHC pre-season Newsletter has been e-mailed/posted out to all paid up members today. Or view it on line here. Pre-season Newsletter;
Hard copies are also available at the Clubhouse. Men’s, Ladies and Colts midweek winter training dates are contained in the latest, 6 page edition of ‘Read & Black’, details of the forthcoming Club Day on 3/9/11, along with all the other latest and other Club information. Please contact your team captain, the Men’s and Ladies Club Captain or pressofficer@ashfordhockeyclub.co.uk for further details.

‘Ashford will be kicking off the 2011-2012 season with our club day tournament on Saturday 3rd September. Meeting at 1pm for registration, we’ll be holding a mixed team, mixed ability tournament! Exact team size dependent upon numbers, but usually around 6-7 aside playing on half a pitch…a more gentle reintroduction into the game . Games should start at 1.30pm. Alongside the tournament, we’ll also be hoping for sunshine as we get out the BBQ and to have some social beers. If you are definitely able to make it or are hoping to, please let us know to aid catering. Should you know someone interested in playing hockey for Ashford, this is a great chance to come and meet us…so bring them along! Hope to see you there, Hynes, Lucy, Wendy & Cole’.

The Men’s summer league matches have started with four external teams and Ashford A and B sides taking part. A fixture list is posted on the Notice Board and please contact Peter Greatorex if you are interested in playing.

Men’s weekly fitness training for the 2011/12 season will start on Tuesday 28th June, on the grass at Short Lane at 7.30 pm.

All existing and new members welcome.

I’m going to concentrate on the positive here covering the last 2 weeks. The 4’s got a very creditable 2-all draw against West Hampstead 6’s, which gives them real hope they could beat the drop (big game against Maidenhead this week), but played poorly this week against Leighton Buzzard. The 5’s won 4-2 against LB 3’s, weapon X getting a hat trick and I believe Kulvir, but lost the previous week 5-1 against WH 8’s. The 3’s finally got back to some decent form this week against league leaders, OMT’s 2’s. We lost 3-0 but really gave them a game and we enjoyed the contest…unlike the previous weekend where we lost 5-1 to LB 2’s, Adam H scoring and 4-1 (Frypot)  to Harrow 1’s on the Sunday to cement 11^th spot in the league!!!

While the 1’s unfortunately suffered heavy defeats, the 2’s have really picked up with another win over basement team Amershame & Chalfont by 4 goals to 1 (mind you, we lost to them the last time), Stewpot got a hat-trick and Chris B the other.

The ones continue to play some decent hockey but need to achieve more from their periods of fluency and pressure. Lewes made us pay and although they deserved to win, 4-1 (our goal from a The Lip drag-flick) was harsh.

The important thing about the 2’s was they won and 3 more points away from the bottom 3, the performance though left a lot to be desired (according to my unnamed Podge-like source) against a 10-man GX side that were deservedly 1-up at the break. Karan and I believe Jas scored the goals.

The 3’s Gordon Bennett if you are squeamish, look away now, I wish I had cos I watched the whole thing as we conspired to hand GX 2’s their first and almost certainly only points this season. I almost hope we were bribed to lose…all we can do is ensure we learn from the game and apply the lessons to this coming week. We are playing Leighton Buzzard who are just above us so I will hopefully be a happier bunny next week.

The 4’s did very well against the top team in the league, Brunel University who are leagues below where they should be. They breezed into a 3-0 lead before a nice move involving Jim B, me and Chris Lunn set up Shane Smith who still had a bit to do but reverse-sticked home. Soon after, a similar nice team move gave Adesh a chance and his zippy flick was clawed away brilliantly by their keeper. 2^nd half we were under a lot of pressure but coped very well with it, Doggers did very well but Dom Hillman had a barnstormer (?)of a game, absolutely fantastic…and it was a real team achievement to keep it at 3-1…

Again 5’s played well against a decent Marlow team and lost 4-0 – good to Mark Bell back in action Ding Dong!!!

Looking for silver linings in cloud this week – nul points for the boys. Sir Alex (2) and Rhino got the goals and we equalised twice but loose defence allowed Tulse Hill to score 5. The 2’s were plucky but lost 3-0 to a useful MK Dons 2’s.

The 3’s oh dear it was going so well…we finished the first half 2-1 up against Phoenix & Ranelagh, just about deserved it with a Big Amit whack and the same with a  Gordo deflection and gratifying to see some creative forward play and pressure with Dave Merchant impressing and great to see Dawson scaring their defenders again! Then did I say oh dear? In 5/6 minutes we conceded 2 goals that are hard to describe without me getting tearful and the guilty need to be protected (well, it must be worth a pint if I do)…anyway 3-2 down and the oppo had their tails up and we were a bit deflated, then we conceded another poor goal and then chased the game and got caught on the break for no 5 and then Carl scored near the end and yes we lost and time to move on, nothing to see, onwards and upwards etc etc

The 4’s were plucky too and really competed against Eastcote and were un-plucky to lose 3-1, goal from ????????? 5’s were up against the Wycombe whippersnappers and it was all a bit too much and we didn’t score any and they scored more than that!

Results for the Men have looked up in the last 2 weeks – even for the 1’s who have lost both games. The 1’s lost 4-3 to Henley (Jimmy Webber scored 2 and my eyesight is going cos I managed to confuse Justin with Rhino and now my memory is going cos I can’t remember which one I mistook for who! Anyway one of ‘em scored) and yesterday they conceded a very late goal to lose to an impressive Eastbourne team 3-1. The things to concentrate on are the performances by the teams and the closeness of the results – the first round of games were not close. We have a lot of new (and a bit rusty) players and it is not surprising that they are tiring towards the end of games. We do have time to turn things round though and need to keep our form and confidence and we will be fine.

The 2’s had one good ‘un and one bad ‘un. They lost 3-1 to Henley with MattE scoring a bobbly equaliser but got what they deserved, nothing…but bounced back in a game they really needed to win beating Slough 3-1 and going above them. Crabhands got 2 and a Darren Adams a shortie straight off the training pitch (sarcasm alert).

Similar for the 3’s – week before we played an MK 3’s team who are more than useful and for a change we did play well in the first half and held them to 1-0 and really competed. 2^nd half we built on this and pushed MK back a bit though Croxster was still very busy in goal and equalised midway through the half. Ryan Dare did some excellent work ferreting his way through the right to cross, Gordo got a deflection, off the keeper and Shaunie was in the right place to put it away. The last 20 mins were great fun but very hard, all the team played their part and Ryan in goal pulled off a spectacular airborne stick save from their lad who could really flick the ball, and we held on for 1-all. Great result and performance and why we play the game and turn up every/most weeks!

This week was disappointing…if we’d played like we had the week before….but we didn’t…and we were up against the best 4^th team in the universe (West Hampstead) and going 3-0 down pretty early didn’t help either!! Lost 4-1 with an Amster shortie.

The fours finally won a game! 2-1 against BA (and Teto again!!). Adamski short put us in the lead before the zippy Shane got the winner. Fantastic and off the bottom! Week before, they did very well to hold MK 4’s (and their ex-National League player) to 4 goals.

The 5’s lost an entertaining game to Staines this week 5-3 (with the not-very-zippy Peter Cottrell getting a hat-trick) (and Ram getting himself sent off cos he needed a rest). Week before, we beat Eastcote (did the double!) 4-0, I know Weapon X got the 4^th but can’t remember the others, sorry

Anyway that is 3 wins and a draw, for us that is a heck of a return!!

Disappointing week generally although one standout result for the 2’s. The 1’s resumed their league campaign against fellow strugglers, Ashford (Kent) and went one-up from a short corner conversion by Phil the Lip – unfortunately the visitors came back strongly and were 3-1 up at half time with the final score 5-1 as we chased the game. The enforced break probably didn’t help us here.

The 2’s had a fantastic result against Eastcote 3’s who are in the top 4 – we didn’t concede early and confidence increased when their defence could not cope with the blistering pace of Podge – his shot was parried and Shaggy did his batty-boy hit to put us 1-up. Although they equalised just before the half time whistle, our boys kept their shape and good form and were rewarded late on when Fry finished from close range. A superb result, which moves us up into mid-table – well done, lads!

The 3’s were a bit disappointing …Eastcote were nippy and inventive and played the ball round us for much of the game, they dominated the first half and we were 4 down and couldn’t complain. The second half we got into the game and played some decent stuff and we drew the half 2 apiece, Rishi finished off a very nice team move and Gordo scored from a short corner rebound. The 3’s and the 4’s who lost 6-0 probably do need a break now and make sure they are refreshed and ready for 8 Jan resumption.

The 5’s did great too beating GX 3’s 5-3, more than doubling their goal tally!!! Weapon Alpha got one, don’t know about the others

Christmas, Diwali, Hanukah, Ramadan and Halloween came early (or late) as the 1’s got their first points, giving their supporters palpitations while doing so, and the 2’s and 3’s also drew to improve their league standing…a memorable day for us given the last couple of seasons!

Chiswick Poly were the designated whipping boys – also struggling this season and having watched most of the game we were good value for the win. Alex Betts settled our nerves early on finishing off a Grainger meander through their D from a long corner and play was fairly even with Justin marauding around the pitch like an out-of-control bull (except that is being a bit harsh on the bull)…he certainly puts the wind up spectators so don’t know what he does to the oppo…

2nd half and we got another! 2-0 up through the improvising Jazz!! Then some Twilight Zone play and defence from both teams saw us give up a poor goal then their defender unaccountably passed the ball straight to Justin in the D and he reversed it home and went on a celebration sprint like a tubby Usain Bolt that must have knackered him. We then gave up another poor goal to irritate BBM (ok me too) but then their keeper in trying to stop a longie kicked the ball outside the D!! Off he went and Phil the Lip lashed home our 4^th to seal the win! Great stuff and sets us up for another 6-pointer with Epsom this week

The 2’s had a great game against Banbury and produced the first draw of the whole league – backs to the wall for a fair amount of the game they also had their moments but another point moves us out of the bottom two.

The 3’s had a great game against Wokingham 2’s who are the first team to match the pace of our side. We didn’t play particularly well first half, we took the lead against the run of play when Ryan made a barnstorming run into the D and his shot looped up off Robbie’s back, bounced over the keeper for Ryan to push home and their umpire gave it! They equalised straightaway and then we conceded a poor second. Second half we really got the bit between our teeth and shaded the game deserving our equaliser from an Angry short.. We could have won it at the end but have to be happy with the score and 2^nd half performance. We do have a habit of starting slowly and handing the initiative to the oppo and need to work on this if we want to avoid continually chasing the game. Even so, a very young team are doing exceptionally well in a difficult league. The 4’s lost 3-0 to Maidenhead Magicians.

The 4’s took centre-stage this week acquiring their first point with a 1-all draw against a high-flying (Leighton) Buzzard 2’s. It was a stellar performance and testament to the spirit of the side and the organisation and tactics of Bubbles (so he said). LB were a goal up at half time but the 2^nd half saw the 4’s get the hang of the M or W shaped midfield that could pivot eiher way with the extra lad joining the defence or attack as he chose – see, sounds good, doesn’t it!? Collective teamwork and a Shane Smith cross set up Chris Lunn who scored from close range.

Though they lost 2-0, the 2′s put in a much-improved performance and need to maintain their form and confidence and they will be alright. From reports received, Amersham & Chalfont belied their position and were very useful.

While the ones were losing to Richmond, another very young 3^rd team went to play OMT’s and we were on the end of a lot of pressure from the home team who bossed us in midfield – unsurprising since they probably had 70 more years experience! – and shoved us back. Jonno in goal played very well. They scored early in the first half which they more than deserved but the second was disappointing with Jonno being stick-tackled (!) before they put the loose ball away. We did play better but weren’t going to get 2 goals back.

Just the 3 games this week. The 1’s paid for early goals conceding 3 from short corners, they did hang on in there and got a goal back when Jas threaded the ball through to Rhino and he expertly rounded the keeper and belted the ball home. The second half saw the game even up as Ashford grew in confidence – they had a golden chance from a shortie to make it 3-2 but it didn’t go in and 2 minutes later it was 4-1 and game over. Oxford Hawks are top and with Ashford playing 6^th-placed Richmond Saturday, they will have the bottom half of the table to play in the run-in.

OMG the 3’s have an unbeaten run (I have taken to considering one game as an unbeaten run but we have got to two!!)!!! Playing Leighton Buzzard 1’s, for the 4^th game of the 6 we’ve played, we were battered in the first half (in fact for portions we were bread crumbed) but we hung on in there, just, for 1-0 at half time. We had noticeably improved in the last 10 minutes (and were very unlucky not to have equalised) but we continued our play into the 2^nd. When we get it right, we really make our pace count and although LB always looked more dangerous, we had them on the hop numerous times as the game opened up. A long ball set Steve T on goal and although he and the ball were kicked up in the air, the ball was retained and Adam passed to Rishi G who displayed unbelievable tekkers (mun) to make space and crack home the equaliser.  Game on and great fun it was too, the whole team worked very very hard. Last 10 minutes, we tired and it was backs to the wall but we held on for a great win I mean draw.

The 4’s continue to have a far from dull season and were having a good game against West Hampstead and 1-0 down when ….can’t be named for legal reasons….and draconian umpiring spoilt the game – final score 5-0.