Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

Ashford Scorers:
Ryan Holland, Chris Davies (2), Dan Williams (3), Carl Miller, Gordon Smith, Andy Sonden, Amit Bhamra

Team Ashford stormed to victory and a glory, glory promotion to the manna-filled South League Open Division 3 - for the Red-and-Blacks it was paradise regained rather than the Milton boys who arrived a little late due to coming a Roundabout way.

Big Amit said much before the game (what happened to the Words of Power?) but it boiled down to this - how big were our cojones? Were they super-size-me or mini-me? Rhino was looking a bit worried at this but he shouldn’t cos it’s not the size that matters, it’s how you perform….and we were very motivated to perform given the stakes involved. We really went at MK from the start and squeezed them into their half. We had done our homework on Big John and set our ring properly to limit his cannonball clearances….either that or the pre-match Magners wasn’t helping him. Anyway we were probably a bit too keen and never hit top form in the first half though we scored 3 goals. The first won Rhino the award for closest-to-the-line finish - looked like 6 inches but they all count and it got us going. Chirssy D scored midway through the half and then Fat Dan seconds from the break flicked the ball into the roof of the net to make the game pretty sa fe. Second half MK held on for 10 minutes before non-PC Carl scored and they then caved in as we went on a rampant rampage and scored 6 in 20 minutes as their poor keeper was peppered and played very well to keep it to 10! Fat Dan completed a classy hat-trick, Chrissy D got another and there were goals for Gordo, Shaggy and a rubbish flick by Big Amit, So as the team tried and failed to lift skipper Big Amit up, it was time to reflect where it went right this season.

We came up 4 seasons ago and a side with half a team of colts have struggled to stay up while playing pretty good hockey. This season? Despite the availability circus above us, we had fantastic core availability (the adults Amit, Gordo, Chrissy D and Bubbles supported by Shaggy, Coach, Big Ell and the goals of Fat Dan - the kids a mixture of Podge, Wild Man, Bert, Rosie, Tom and Ant in goal and Rhino), we played as a team, whether well or not, every player in the side was used and involved, the tightest defence and one of the highest scorers in the league (with 6 of us scoring 7 or more goals) , we had that bit of luck when you need it and we ground results out - MK away, Bracknell at home, Oxford last week and my favourite, the 0-0 draw with Eastcote when we were a scantily-clad version of our normal team - and so we came in second a point ahead of GX and High Wycombe.

What now? Well most of the kids will float up to the higher teams and us old’uns will I guess fade away (though Big Amit will take a bit longer than the rest of us) - probably the end of an era but a happy ending and a new beginning…sniff…and possibly a new report writer….hurrah, the 4’s!!…

Ashford Scorers:
Jackie Parsons (2)

On a cold day with a biting wind, Ashford were yet again unable to field a full strength side for their penultimate and last home, South League game of the season against fellow strugglers Newbury & Thatcham Ladies last Saturday.

The red & Blacks were without their skipper JO SMITH and staunch regulars KATIE GREENE, CLAIR BRANT and dynamic midfielder ANNIE NEYTON. The good news was that they were able to welcome back the hard working and skilful Welsh midfielder SAM KENDALL, whilst regular second team players HANNAH GIBBS and BECKY GRIFFITHS, retained their places for the second game running. The match started as somewhat a low key affair, with the visitors well on top and playing much the better hockey. After ten minutes or so, Ashford were dealt a blow when the hard running, youngster LAURA SAMOUELS fell and damaged her shoulder badly and she had to leave the field of play and go to hospital to get it checked out. The Red & Blacks coach HELEN THORNALLEY thus had to join the fray to add her much needed skills and experience to the team. The Red & Blacks did then start to play better, but the opposition had more to offer, with some skill full ball carriers who helped them to keep possession and also create numerous goal chances; three of which were converted to make the score a deserved 3-0 to the visitors at half time.

After the break, Ashford played a lot better and as their work rate increased, so did their possession and attack rate. Young defender and Ashford ‘Player of the Match’ ANNA PROTHEROE led the way with her tireless running and accurate tackling at the back. Despite having more of the game, the Red& Blacks conceded a further goal midway through the half to go 4-0 down. However, they battled back and sweeper and short corner striker JACKIE PARSONS brought Ashford back into the game when she converted two out of the three short corners they gained in the second half. One goal was directly through the goalkeepers legs, whilst the other was a good angled shot which found the corner of the net. Although the goals brought Ashford back into the game, their overall play did not have its usual bite or fluency to really unsettle the stronger and more skill full visitors, who deserved their 4-2 victory.

Next Saturday Ashford travel to Banbury for a tough rearranged game against the sixth placed team, in what will be their last game of the season and also in the South League and also the last for Club Coach HELEN THORNALLEY.

Team:
O Sutton (GK), D Brough, E Hynes (Captain), S Kenward, A Protheroe, H Gibbs, E Ashford-Hodges, J Parsons, B Griffiths, H Thornalley, L Samouels, S Kendall

For their last game of the season and the last in the South League, Ashford had to make the long journey to northern Oxfordshire to play South League newcomers Banbury on Saturday morning. The Red & Blacks struggled to get a full team out and student goalkeeper SAM GRANT was called up to make her debut, whilst Coach ‘BOB’ THORNALLEY again had to play and even team manager LYNNE MORGAN was pulled in as substitute, so that the squad had at least twelve players.In warm conditions, Ashford were immediately put under pressure as the young Banbury team attacked from the push off, and pinned back the rather disorganised Ashford defence in their own goalmouth. Unfortunately the pressure told and they notched two well worked goals from open play in the first two minutes of the game. They followed the goals up with a short corner, which although they got the ball in the back of the net once more, the shot was too high and disallowed. Despite being 2-0 up, Banbury continued to dominate the play and added another goal, again from open play, after thirteen minutes to take a 3-0 lead. Marshalled by Coach BOB THORNALLEY and with keeper SAM GRANT becoming more dominant in the circle, Ashford slowly then got into the game. Midfielders LAURA SAMOUEL and SAM KENDALL were working hard and combining well in midfield to set up some attacks, and after twenty three minutes of play the Red & Blacks secured a long corner but were unable to penetrate the Banbury goal from it. In fact the home team immediately swept down the pitch and attacked the Ashford goal, and despite the Red & Blacks keeper SAM GRANT making a couple of good initial saves, they added two more goals in quick succession to put them 5-0 up and the game beyond the reach of Ashford. Further pressure from the home side just before the end of the half, led to them scoring two further, well taken goals to make the score line 7-0 at half time.After a motivating team talk from their Coach, the Red & Blacks came out more organised in the second half and despite conceding an early goal to go 8-0 down, they played a lot better. They created some good moves, but weren’t able to really put the opposition goalkeeper under any pressure. Unfortunately injuries to both midfielders LAURA SAMOUELS and TRACEY HOLLAND at different stages in the second half meant that and veteran substitute LYNNE MORGAN had to be pressed into action for most of the second half. The Red & Blacks continued to work hard as the game progressed, with youngsters ELLIE ASHFORD HODGES, LIV YOUNG and ANNA PROTHOROE all doing well. The home team got rather frustrated at Ashford’s improved play and for twenty minutes of the second half they failed to add to their goal tally. However, in the closing eight minutes Banbury scored form two short corners to make the final result a convincing victory by 10 goals to nil. Ashford’s player of the match was fittingly Coach BOB THORNALLEY in what was her last game for the club after a six year coaching spell when she helped to take the Club to the highest level they have ever played at. It will be Middlesex Premier League hockey for Ashford again next season as they endeavour to regroup and rebuild after very an extremely hard season.Team:S Grant (GK), T Holland, E Hynes (Captain), L Morgan, A Protheroe, O Young, H Hull, E Ashford-Hodges, H Siwek, H Thornalley, L Samouels, S Kendall

Ashford Scorers:
Amit Bhamra, Dan Rose, Gordon Smith (2)

Happy days for Team Ashford as they produced an outstanding second half performance to take the game away from a useful Hawks outfit - one more win and we are promoted to the heady heights of the South league!!

This was far from easy in that we were playing at Oxford at 4.30 and then found they were running late - the game starting after 5 in very windy and cold conditions. First half we were a bit in and out but Amit settled our nerves scoring with his trademark Whack from a short after 10 minutes. Play was fairly even but Chrissy D was leading the line well and putting their back line under a lot of pressure. It was no surprise when he robbed the full back (and got the ball as well) and trundled into the D and then the whole forward line managed to miss a golden chance each… the keeper went down too early and CD tried (and failed) to lift the ball over him - the ball bounced back and squirted to Rosie who missed from an acute angle but the ball went straight to Rhino and from 3 yards out he topped the ball wide!! Sod’s law dictated that from the resultant 16, they went up and equalised made worse by the fact that the lad kicked the ball twice before smacking it past Tom!! We lost our way a bit and it was a struggle in midfield as their playmaker started to pull the strings and we came under a bit of pressure but defended well.

Second half, it could have ended in tears as the home team had an excellent chance but Tom made a top save to keep it all-square and we then scored 3 goals in 10 minutes or so midway through the half to make the game safe. First, Amit switched the ball to Chrissy D from a short and although his shot was saved, Dan Rose at the far post to put it away for his 10th of the season. A few minutes later, the trademark 4’s goal with a twist… Big Amit whacked it in and Gordo deflected it - but straight off his stick hand (and I have the bruise to show for it) - and the ball looped into the corner… ‘it came off his hand!!’ was the shout and the Sunday Oxford papers were raging about the Hand of Gord… but it was perfectly legal as I’m told para 9.11 of the hockey rules states. Five minutes later, we scored from a 3rd short with Gordo deflecting the ball - normally this time - from a Big Amit whack for the goal-den old’un’s 5th goal in the last 2 games and 11th for the season.

Stellar 2nd half performances from Shaggy and the Boy Mountain in midfield and steady - well mostly! - defensive work made sure we won… a great team effort and 3 priceless points… Gerrards Cross and High Wycombe both won to keep us under pressure but that precious point against Eastcote a couple of games ago mean we are a point ahead and a win against MK and Big John next week will mean lemonade shandies all round!!

Ashford Scorers:
Gordon Smith (3), Dan Williams

The season is drawing to a tension-building, nerve-wracking and sphincter-clenching climax as all 4 teams at the top of the MBB0 Div 4 Premiership won. We won at a canter against a Wallingford side whose main objective (which they succeeded in) was to keep the score down.

We started out with an atypical side with all the sprogs apart from Ryan and Ant promoted to the 3’s (and quite right too)…so an unusual amount of experience and girth was in evidence as the mighty 4’s wobbled out onto the field. We started quite brightly but impatiently and were too direct against a basement club intent on defence. It took 15 minutes to score the first - good work down the right from Dean and Chris and the ball was worked to Shaggy in the D who unselfishly squared the ball to Gordo who made no mistake from 3 yards out (from an open goal). 5 minutes later Dan W scored a nice goal, making room for himself he reverse-stick undercut the ball past the startled ‘keeper (who played very well throughout). A third goal a few minutes before the break - Chrissy D setting up Gordo again - this time from a full 6 yards - made the game safe.

Having started with 13, we finished with 11 - PC Carl was wilting after a 12 hour night shift and our bubble-shaped dynamo, Barrel… no, barrel-shaped dynamo, Bubbles… had done a mischief to his calf. No doubt induced by playing right-half and finding himself in the oppo half for the first time this season. We should have gone on and scored a hatful in the second half - let’s hope goal difference isn’t a factor - but we didn’t and I’m going to draw a veil over it as I know minors read this report… I suspect some sort of spread-betting scandal myself. Anyway we scored with the last hit of the game from a switched short, Rhino accidentally crossed it and evergreen El Gordo was there 2 yards out to deflect it in for his hat-trick - a Gerry-’atrick I guess - much to the oldster’s obvious delight…. 2 games left, the cliches await….

Ashford Scorers:
Bex Griffiths

Due to a leaving party for one of the 1st XI regulars and a hen party for one of the 2nd XI, Ashford had to make a lot of changes to their squad for the home game on Saturday against fellow strugglers Hampstead & Westminster 2nd XI. HANNAH GIBBS and MARIA CAVILLA were introduced to the squad to make their South League debuts and LISA CUNNINGHAM was called up for only her second game of the season. Moreover, first team regulars KATIE GREENE and ANNIE NEYTON were both making a welcome return to the Ashford midfield. In sunny conditions, it was the visitors who started the game better, but despite gaining several short corners in the opening exchanges, they did not capitalise on any of them. As the game progressed neither side could find their rhythm and the hockey remained goal less and rather messy. In the second quarter of the game, it was the visitors who continued to get most of the attacking moves in though. It was therefore just as well for the Red & Blacks that goalkeeper LIV SUTTON, and ever reliable defenders DANI BROUGH and ANNA PROTHORE and EMMA HYNES remained firm under the pressure. Slowly towards the end of the half, the direct running and silky stick work skills of Ashford midfielders KATIE GREENE and ANNIE NEYTON, started to create a few chances for the home side, but the score remained at a stalemate 0-0 at half time.

In the second half Ashford continued to try hard, but despite their efforts it was the visitors who opened the scoring when they fired from a short corner after four minutes of play. The Red & Blacks didn’t let their spirits drop though and after 10 minutes of the half, evergreen midfielder ANNIE NEYTON hit an excellent, defence splitting cross from wide on the left, right across the visitor’s goalmouth. Ashford veteran striker BEX GRIFFITHS was on hand on the far post, to meet the ball and direct home for the equalised from close in. The goal encouraged Ashford and they did secure a couple of short corners, and although they moved the ball around well, they were unable to get any goal threatening shots in. It was the visitors who then pressed hard in the last quarter of the game to try to notch the winning goal, but Ashford coach BOB THORNALLEY utilised her substitutes well as both teams tired. In addition, the Ashford player of the match, the ever improving goalkeeper LIV SUTTON, played stoutly throughout and thwarted many of the visitor’s shots with some reliable kicking and nimble saves. The score therefore remained at 1-1 until the final whistle and Ashford celebrated deservedly earning their first League point of the season.

Next Saturday Ashford travel to Banbury for a tough game against the fifth placed team, in what will be their penultimate game of the season and also probably in the South League.

Team:
O Sutton (GK), D Brough, E Hynes, S Kenward, A Protheroe, J Smith (Captain), H Gibbs, M Cavilla, A Neyton, O Young, K Greene, E Ashford-Hodges, B Griffiths, L Cunningham

Ashford yet again had to make some last minute changes to their team before travelling to Oxfordshire to play an in-form Henley 1st XI last Saturday. ELLIE ASHFORD-HUGHES and coach HELEN THORNALLEY had to be drafted in, the latter making her first appearance of the season. However, the Red & Blacks were able to welcome back regulars EMMA HYNES, ANNA PROTHEROE and SUNNY POTTAY.

The morning game started well for Ashford and they gained a short corner within two minutes of the initial push back. Specialist striker JACKIE PARSONS got in a well struck shot from the corner, which the home team parried out to Ashford youngster LIV YOUNG, but her follow-up shot was easily cleared. Henley quickly then got into their stride with several quick attacks and Red & Blacks keeper, LIV SUTTON coped well with their initial shots, whilst after 10 minutes of play the evergreen Ashford defender CLAIRE BRANT, coolly cleared a goal bound Henley thunderbolt short corner strike off the goal line. After 16 minutes of play the direction of the game changed, when following an unintentional foul by an Ashford defender in the Ashford D, Henley were surprisingly awarded a penalty flick, which they duly converted to open the scoring. Whilst Ashford were still recovering from the flick, the home team added a second goal from a short corner to make the score 2-0. Ashford then managed to get a bit more into the game, with defenders CLARE BRANT, JACKIE PARSONS and ANNA PROTHOROE all working particularly hard to create some attacking moves; and it was unfortunate that the visitors managed to add a third goal just before half time, following a good individual forward dribble by one of the Henley strikers.

Ashford struck back at the start of the second half and created a chance for DANI BROUGH, but her strong flick rose over the goal and back fence of the ground, rather than in the back of the Henley net. Ashford then had a player rather harshly sin binned for 10 minutes, after she inquired why a decision against Ashford had been given. This seemed to spark the home team into action and they combined well to score a trio of very well taken goals to put their victory beyond doubt and the score at 6-0. The Red &Blacks didn’t give up though and youngster LIV YOUNG was unlucky not to be able to convert an opportunity she had from close in shortly afterwards. The closing minutes of the game saw Henley score two more well worked goals to make the final score a convincing 8-0.

There is no doubt that third placed Henley thoroughly deserved their win and scored some excellent goals in both halves of the game. The disappointing aspects of the match were that Ashford failed to convert either of the chances they created and the poor standard of umpiring. Next Saturday Ashford are at home to fellow strugglers Hampstead & Westminster 2nd XI at noon, in what is a vitally important game for the visitors.

Team:
O Sutton (GK), D Brough, E Hynes, S Kenward, A Protheroe, J Parsons, C Brant, J Smith (Captain), O Young, E Ashford-Hodges, H Thornalley, S Pottay

This is only the second time we haven’t scored this season but we were elated with this result - being one point gained rather than two lost. With the stag weekend and other unavailability decimating the club, we put out an ‘experimental’ 4th team and everything-crossed. As it was, what were we worried about?!? Our anti-youth selection policy paid off with Old Father Time himself aka David Sutch Lording it on the right, Screaming for the ball…in fact he playing like a raving loony and had a monster game.

We edged the first half and had two or three decent opportunities to take the lead but Eastcote, fresh from beating top spot South Bucks (thank you and can you do the same to High Wycombe next week please), finished the stronger as we tired a bit.

Enlivened by the break, we continued to be positive but were playing a bit deep and Eastcote pushed us back and there was a torrid 15 minutes in the middle of the half when the defence was getting little respite. Fortunately a mix of resolute defence, excellent play by Tom in goal and a lack of sharpness by the home team meant we got through it… and the last 5/10 minutes were fairly even as we got a third wind and pushed the game back into midfield.

Other results show just how vital that point could be as High Wycombe lost to the ‘much-improved’ Bracknell (we only just beat them the week before) and we are now one point clear of HW and Gerrards Cross who are on a strong run. 3 games to go and fate, destiny, kismet and synchronicity await though que sera sera dos cervezas por favor…