Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

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.

Tesco for Schools & Clubs is back again next week with vouchers available from Monday 1st March (St David’s Day) until Sunday 9th May. We will be trying to collect as many as possible to obtain hockey equipment for the Club. We hope to recieve our collecting pack this week and a collection box will hopefully be available behind the bar next weekend. In the meantime Gordon Smith and Peter Cottrell will be willing to take your vouchers.

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!

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

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!!

On behalf of AHC, I am very pleased to report that the Club has been awarded the ‘ClubsFirst’ accreditation by england Hockey and I include below their confirmation received today (4/2/2010). A very large vote of thanks 9and perhaps a few rounds of drinks0, are due to all those who helped with our application, but in particular to SUE WESTLAKE, PETER COTTRELL and GORDON SMITH who really worked long and hard on this. Well done all…..

“It is our great pleasure to inform you that, following an independent Nominated Officer visit and subsequent verification of your club assessment file, Ashford Hockey Club (EH id: 1039) has been recognised as working towards providing a Safe, Effective and Child Friendly club environment, and as such has been awarded the England Hockey ClubsFirst Accreditation. The accreditation date is 03/02/2010.

You will shortly be receiving a confirmation letter and certificate by post, and in the meantime, attached to this email are two files for your club’s use – the ClubsFirst logo and the England Hockey ClubsFirst “brand use” guide.

England Hockey is committed to supporting the development of safe, effective and child-friendly clubs. On behalf of England Hockey I would like to thank you for your club’s dedication in this area.

Congratulations and well done for all of your hard work in submitting the application.”

Ashford 1’s 2 Oxford Uni 6

Ramgharia Sabha 1’s 5 Ashford 2’s 2

Ashford 3’s 0 Aylesbury 2’s 4

Ashford 5’s 0 Brunel Uni 1’s 9

An encouraging performance from the Red-and-Blacks, they played with some teeth going forward and generated chances and pressure against a useful Oxford Uni outfit. The visitors had an impressive drag-flick routine that generated 2 goals into the top left corner and a penalty flick when Andy Barnes impressive stomach stopped a goal bound shot. These goals took the game away from Ashford who continued to play good hockey throughout, Shane White zipped one over the onrushing keeper from a pass from Angry before Angry got one himself wobbling though on his bionic knees and lashing the ball home. Nice manly roar afterwards too!

The 2’s continued their good form from last week but leaked goals conceding one in the first minute – 2-1 down at half time, they took the game to Ramgharia but got caught on the break and lost 5-2, Rosie and Weapon X scoring. Well done to Amit for managing not to get sent off by Daddy and Pud stayed on pitch too!

3’s was very similar to last week being 1-0 down for much of the game against a top 3 Aylesbury team though this week we did create chances (Freddie took a shortie and smacked a cracking, rising shot but their defender hadn’t read my script and made a top save on the line, their keeper made a full length save from Gordo and another good save from DM among them) but we gotta stick one in, 1-all and it would have been game on, they scored their second 15 minutes into the second half and that was that and then added 2 more in last 5 minutes which was a bit harsh. Captain Shaggy, indie rocker Adam and HisBand and Ding Dong Bell hadn’t slept properly for 3 days and were coach-lagged from their skiing trip but it was good of them to turn out and help the club.

4’s game was cancelled due to snow in Oxford but, even though it might not sound it, the best performance was the 5’s against Brunel Uni 1’s. 7-0 down at half time and playing a team who pretty much all would be in our top 3 teams and one of their lads was absolute quality, they played out of their skin in the second half. Putting Lucas, our ability-challenged Belgian on their best player was a masterstroke and they had to wait 26 mins to score their next goal before adding no. 9 as I breathed in to blow the full time whistle. Well done lads, even Bobby played well!!

Tulse Hill & Dulwich 1 Ashford 0

Ashford 2’s 3 (Fry, Rosie, Symes) Rover Oxford 2

Ashford 3’s 0 Leighton Buzzard 3

Ashford 4’s – walkover

West Hampstead 8’s 5 Ashford 5’s 0

The 1’a had a right-old tussle with Tulse Hill but could not score the goal their play deserved – they dominated most of the game forcing 7 short corners to the oppo 2 and had other chances but they needed the confidence a goal will bring – and it didn’t. so another defeat albeit a close one. Coach Dunc was pleased with the performance and the fact the side kept going all game.

This could be front page news for the Staines & Ashford News this week…not only did the 2’s not lose, not only did they get the first points of the season, Gordon Bennet!! They got all 3 points!! Yes they finally seem to have grasped the concept that if they concede less goals than they score, they have a good chance of wining the game! Rover Oxford did help a bit as they missed 2 virtual open goals before Fry scored from close range just before the break. A very, open loose game – this was fun to watch as anything could have happened – also Neil was playing again displaying his Gretsky in all its wonder, and talking a good game. Having conceded an equaliser, BigEll did a wonderful accidental dummy which confused his marker, got the ball to Rosie who spun and pelted down the wing before slipping the ball to Elliot who had continued his run and his rather modest shot went straight through the keepers legs! Of course the oppo equalised again and both sides could have scored – and some of the boys, Smart for example, could barely move by the end, but for a change our lads had that little bit of luck you need sometimes and 5 minutes to go, Rosie scored from close range and we held on for a sweet 3 points.

The 3’s were unfortunate to lose 3-0, LB scored in the last minute, majority of the game was 1-0 and we had chances to equalise – and if we had, you never know – but we didn’t, we know – and once LB got the second that was it. Not a bad performance against a first team but we should be a bit disappointed.

The 4’s have sealed coming not-bottom with Harrow conceding – they couldn’t get a second team out – and the 5’s had a friendly game with a strong West Hampstead outfit but are still flying high in their league (well compared to the rest of us)…

The winners in the Astro Draw for January 2010 are:

£100 Tracy Cottrell

£50 Carol Stedman

£50 Phil Knowles

Congratulations to the winners and your cheques will be with you soon. Don’t forget that it is only £12 per year for a draw ticket and a draw is made every month throughout the season, with the extra big money prizes being drawn at the AHC annual Dinner in April. Application forms are available on the website and Club Notice Board.

AHC Newsletter
The AHC Christmas Newsletter has now been e-mailed/posted out to paid up Club members and hopefully will be posted on the website soon. Hard copies are also available at the Clubhouse.
Holiday Opening Times
The Clubhouse and bar will be open from 2 -11 pm on Christmas Eve, so why not come on down for a pre-Christmas drink. The grounds and Clubhouse will be closed on Christmas and Boxing (except for annual Men’s match 12- 2.30 pm) Day, and on Sunday 27th, Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th December. The bar and grounds will reopen as normal at 6pm on Wednesday 30th December and there will be a free New Year’s Eve Social Event from 7pm until late on 31st December, but the Club will be closed on New Year’s Day.

The winners in the Astro Draw for December 2009 are:

£250 Mel Carrier

£100 Ali Donelan

£50 Gordon Smith

Congratulations to the winners and your cheques will be with you soon. Don’t forget that it is only £12 per year for a draw ticket and a draw is made every month throughout the season, with the extra big money prizes being drawn at the AHC annual Dinner in April. Application forms for the draw are available on the website.

The 1’s followed on nicely from last week, playing really well for the first 10 minutes and must have surprised Purley Wal’s with their pace and silky team work. Unfortunately we were up against a team who had a couple of quality finishers and they were able to convert a proportion of their chances whereas we couldn’t and the Red-and-Blacks found themselves 5 down in a half where they had just as much play as the oppo! There was only one goal in the second half which rightly went to our boys, Matty Emmerton – literally on goal scoring fire - scoring with a vicious tomahawk reverse-smack.

The 2’s struggled again and can look forward to a break now and hopefully be recharged for the restart.

The 3’s played really well again following on from last week and I know we surprised Sonning with the quality of our play (two of them said after the game ‘ we were surprised with the quality of your play’) – we just couldn’t give the keeper enough to do and the Croxster was pretty busy having to deal with 3 1-on-1’s but he seems to handle them alright so might as well let him get on with it! Mark Bell has joined the team this season and has joined the mini-team we have in the 3’s who like - no prefer no demand - to play with one hand. Anyway on this form Ding Dong will soon be knocking on the 2’s door.

The 4’s had no game but the 5’s had a fun game against Staines 6’s – one down they came back with a cracker from Mr Singh, 2-1 down and then our equaliser was a present for young Luke and then, controversy, a penalty for Staines. Thank the entity of your choice for ‘Dan’ Dare who dived full length belying his age and disability allowance – the wrong way - and it hit the post. Huzzah!!!