Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

Ashford Scorers:
Ryan Holland, Amit Bhamra

An unconvincing 2-1 win and both our promotion rivals losing mean we have gone equal 2nd and only 2 points off top spot. That was the (very) good news but we can’t be happy with the way we played - we started very brightly and had 2 or 3 excellent chances before our pint-sized munchkin, Rhino Holland clipped in a fine cross-shot off the post. However that was as good as we got, Bracknell were much improved from earlier in the season and started to link up well. they apparently had 2 new players - one who was a real handful and would be pushing our 2’s here. It was no surprise when they broke through our left and the lad finished well and we were the happier team to hear the half time whistle.

We needed about 20 minutes not 5 to put things right but we injected a bit more passion into our efforts and the game was relatively even with Bracknell having more territorial possession. We continued to look more incisive than Bracknell and Tom did not have too much to do… in the end the game was won with a Big Amit whack midway through the half and we played better thereafter without looking particularly comfortable - a vital 3 points given next weekends stag do!!

Ashford Scorers:
Jackie Parsons

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

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

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

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

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

Ashford Scorers:
Gordon Smith

Half-term affected both teams but High Wycombe coped better and deserved their win. Our high points came early in this game - high amusement when one of their boys irked the umpires doing the Ladies game before us and they were summarily ejected! Unfortunately they were let back in time for the game and off we went on the best surface I’ve played on this season… and what a start as Gordo scored after 52 seconds - a goal so good it should count as double! Danno got a free hit just outside the D on the right - and while the defence dawdled getting back, he rolled it to Gordo at the top of the D… and the evergreen midfielder gave it the big pelvic twitch and slapped it into the corner past the startled keeper… 1-0!!

That was as good as it got as we gave them 2 good chances in a row - neither of which were converted - and we continued to play nervously and allowed High Wycombe’s self-belief to grow. Although we had chances and play, High Wycombe were playing the ball around well and we were struggling to clear our lines or play with the width we normally aspire to. They scored 2 goals in short order - the first wholly avoidable when we gave the ball up and Bubbles was forced to concede a flick - the flick was awful but went in and they then scored a good goal finished off by the same lad wearing tracksuit bottoms - the shame!! In my eyes that made it 2-all… but no-one else’s…

Tom made some excellent saves to keep us in the game and we had enough fluency about our game to continue to trouble their defence and 3 of us found ourselves in front of the keeper - 2 good saves and Freddy Cottrell (our second 13-year-old who made an impressive debut) was nudged as he shot (unfortunately more subtly than Bubbles and HW got away with it).

The game and points were sealed when one minute, we had a short corner, did the ‘old faithful’ and their defender made a superb block of Amit, the next minute they had a short, did the same routine but not as well executed and it went in… so we are now 3rd and 3 points off promotion… an easier run in than the other 2 but the stag weekend looms large for us all…

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ashford Scorers:
Wakover - GX forefeit

A faultless performance from the 4’s who were untested throughout by a GX team missing several players…. ok make that the whole team was missing.

GX had 7 adults out and apparently have a very young 4th team and didn’t want them coming to us to get thumped - so the league agreed they could forfeit the game. This was pretty handy for a couple of reasons - we weren’t at full strength either due to half term so not sure how much of a thumping they would have got and this was GX’s only defeat in their last 10 matches (they won 8 and drew 1) and they ended up finishing one point behind us!!

Hurray for half term!!

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

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

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

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

Ashford Scorers:
Chris Davies, Dan Rose

Our bogey team struck again to take all 3 points to push us down to 3rd place - everything still to play for as we are only 2 points behind them and 3 behind High Wycombe.

We had problems on Saturday when early on Ell felt his hamstring and had to go off - we were soon 2 down and a bare 11 and things were not looking good. The old Red-and-Black bulldog spirit kicked in and we came back well at an as-usual physical and direct South Bucks outfit. Amit combined with Chrissy D to score from an ‘old faithful’ short corner and 5 minutes before half time we capped an excellent 15 minutes with a sweeping move for the equaliser. ‘Coach’ picked the ball up in right-half position and hit the ball down the channel to Chrissy D - this pretty much unhinged their defence and Chris slapped the ball across to the other wing to Rosie who took the ball in his stride and flicked it past the onrushing ‘keeper for a superb goal and his 9th of the season. The game was set up for us but just before half-time, Tom heard a call incorrectly and let a ball go in… unfortunately they had touched it in the D - 3-2 and a dampener on the half time team talk.

We really went at them for the first 15 minutes and had 3 excellent chances - Ell back on missed from very close range while a fantastic block at a shortie denied Gordo. All game they had a tactic where they basically cleared their lines to their cack-hander (just like last game, just like last year…) and watched him go - and they got some clear daylight 10 minutes from time when he set up the ‘tub of lard’ or his clone who did well to work his way into the D and smack home their 4th. We kept trying as is our wont but to no avail and must look to get back to winning ways as we entertain 4th place on Saturday (snow permitting) before facing top team High Wycombe next week.