Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

Ladies League Hockey 29^th November 2008
Middlesex Premier

Ashford 1^st XI 0 v Eastcote 2^nd XI 2

Ashford entertained second in the league side Eastcote 2nd XI Ladies at Short Lane on Saturday. Unfortunately injury and illness Ladies problems prevented regular squad members HAYLEY EAMES, ANNIE NEYTON and JACQUI BASHFORD from playing for Ashford, whilst other regular team members and defenders EMMA HYNES and JACKIE PARSONS were also unavailable. Coach MANDY WAIN therefore brought youngsters ELINE SIBIA and KELLY TAYLOR back into the squad and called up versatile midfielder SARAH SYMES for her first Premier League game of the season. In addition, Far East traveller PHIL WORSFOLD had returned to the UK, and was available to play again for the Red & Blacks.

Eastcote started the game playing with a lot of confidence and knocked the ball around well. However, Ashford rose to the challenge and with youngsters KELLY TAYLOR flourishing in her right sided, midfield role and defender ELINE SIBIA once again doing well up front, the Red & Black’s equalled Eastcote’s standard of play for most of the first half. It was therefore unfortunate that just before the half time the visitors scored from a breakaway goal to take a slightly unjustified 1-0 lead into the half time break.

The second half saw the Red & Blacks dominating the play with the whole team once again playing and combining well. SARAH SYMES in particular made some vital tackles and midfielders NICKY BENEDICT and player of the match, PHIL WORSFOLD were really combining well and creating space and chances for Ashford. Despite the home team being well on top the Eastcote defence remained resolute and Ashford were unable to get the ball in the net. The Red & Blacks kept their form though and battled on until the last minute of the game, but were unable to notch an equaliser. The result thus remained at 1-0 to Eastcote in a game which really should have been a draw. Coach MANDY WAIN was pleased with the team’s performance though despite the defeat. Next week Ashford has a spare League date and will be playing a friendly at home against Wycombe Rye. The Red & Blacks return to League action the following week 13/12/08, when they play their final game of the first half of the season at home, at noon to Mill Hill 1st XI, who are four places below Ashford in the League. Coach MANDY WAIN will be hoping to have a full squad to pick from and that the good work rate and team work shown in this game will continue.

Team; S. Grant (GK), E. Sibia, S.Smart S. Symes, L Young, L. Quinn (Skipper), S. Kenward, N. Benedict, K. Fry, A Protheroe, K Taylor, P Worsfold,

Ashford 4’s 5 Staines 4’s 9

Goalscorers: Big Amit (2) Gordo (2) Davy Merchant

As a child-friendly club and website, I had to reject many potential titles before settling on a worthy epithet.

Not a good day for us, we have played very well this season and saved up our poor performances for this game. Possibly some players were a little over-hyped for this game and did not relax and play their normal game. What was plain was that too many of us had off-days and we leaked goals throughout though we didn’t have too many problems scoring ourselves!

We  got a goal back right after the resumption to make it 5-3 and for a short while, a comeback seemed possible but the wide-open nature of our play and the game continued and meant the spectators didn’t dare look away or would miss a goal!! Never had a score line like this or even remotely close in 34 years so this game will stick in my mind…

The good thing about league hockey is we have another chance later in the year to redress the balance - more immediate is we are 3rd from bottom and playing the other 3 sides down with us in the next 3 weeks - Onwards and….

Hampstead & Westminster 3^rd XI 3 v Ashford 1^st XI 4

Ashford travelled to Paddington on Saturday to face the team two places below them in the League Hampstead & Westminster 3^rd XI. Two of the main Red & Blacks first eleven squad were unavailable and with defender SOPHIE SMART fully recovered from her neck problem, coach MANDY WAIN took a pool of twelve players to play, on what turned out to be a cold, raw day weather wise in west London. On a slightly bumpy and rather patchy water based artificial pitch, the home team started more swiftly and played the better hockey as Ashford adjusted to the pitch and pace of the game. Hampstead & Westminster easily controlled the first fifteen minutes or so and took the lead with a good strike from a short corner. The Red & Blacks were settling into their game though and once again the team work started to flourish as the players found their rhythm and upped their work rate. They were soon rewarded as starlet ANNA PROTHEROE netted the equaliser from an Ashford short corner. The Red & Blacks were then put under pressure, but ever improving goalkeeper SAM GRANT coped well with any threatening attacks. The game then turned Ashford’s way just before half time, when veteran sweeper JACKIE (Yip, Yip) PARSONS converted another short corner with one of her trade mark bullet strikes from the edge of the circle. Thus Ashford went into the break 2-1 up in what was proving to be a fast and intriguing game of hockey.

The second half followed the pattern of the first in that both teams were giving their best and both goalmouths were under threat and Ashford’s player of the match goal, tender SAM GRANT, was once again bought into action. However, even she was unable to stop Hampstead & Westminster netting an equaliser soon after the restart. Ashford soon retaliated though, when the ever green midfielder ANNIE NEYTON did one of her mazy dribbling runs which left the home team’s defence for dead and she rattled in her first goal of the game and Ashford’s third to put the Red & Blacks back in the lead by three goals to two. Ashford went further ahead when ANNIE NEYTON put a good pass through to ANNA PROTHEROE who beat the home team goalkeeper with somewhat of a fumbled shot on the goal line to make the score 4-2 to the Red & Blacks. Once again the home team hit back with a strike from a short corner to take the score to 4-3, but Ashford stayed calm and retained their well deserved lead until the end of the game.

The victory and three more points keep Ashford in fourth place in the League and next week the Red & Blacks are at home to second placed Eastcote 2^nd XI Ladies at twelve noon. It will be a tough match, but coach MANDY WAIN is relishing the challenge with the team being in fine form and working well for each other, a another victory is certainly possible.

Team; S. Grant (GK), E. Hynes, J Parsons, S.Smart, A. Neyton, L Young, L. Quinn (Skipper), S. Kenward, N. Benedict, K. Fry, A Protheroe, J Bashford

Forty four action shots taken by Mr David Burd (Winchmore Hill & Enfiled HC) during the Ladies 1st XI game away to Winchmore Hill & Enfiled 1st XI on 18th October have been added to the Photo Gallery. 

Most of the squad are shown in action, so take a look.

[Show as slideshow]

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…but first our game this week…

Eastcote 5’s 2 Ashford 4’s 2

Scorers: Big Amit, Jonno Hunt

This was the standard game between us and respective Eastcote sides - close, keenly-contested and any result possible up to the end of the game.

Kids are playing really well, Phil the Lip played up front and looked the part, holding the ball up well and really making their defenders work. David Merchant is proving to be Mr. Reliable - yes he’s a Merchant Banker - while Dom and Doggers continue to shine at the back (no Dash this week).

Both goals we conceded were avoidable and we conceded early again but came back well pulling together as a team and taking the game back to the home team - Big Amit Whacked in a shortie and we played well up to half time and from another B.A.W. , Jonno bundled it home and got very excited (hopefully getting practice for doing same against Staines this week!!

Eastcote equalised early on and we put a lot of effort in to hold them, we should have had a flick and a perfectly good short corner wasn’t given for us at the death but it was a fair result so no complaints.

Finally…it has been pointed out that there were inaccuracies in a previous report concerning JLo and his inability to score for the 4’s. We have been advised that JLo did in fact score a couple of goals for the 4’s and that he did not play 93 games for the 4’s - in fact it was less - and also that JLo is only a half back so can’t be expected to score that often. We apologise for any distress this may have caused the young man and will be making a sizeable donation (@£2) to the next bonus ball comp…next week…an apology to Charlie ‘no goals’ Cottrell…

Ladies League Hockey 15^th November 2008
Middlesex Premier

Harrow 2^nd XI 0 v Ashford 1^st XI 1

Ashford travelled to Kenton on Saturday to face bottom of the League side Harrow Ladies 2^nd XI. Due to injury and unavailability of several key and regular squad players, coach MANDY WAIN had to bring some new faces in and called up youngsters ELLIE ASHFORD-HODGEs and fellow colt KELLY TAYLOR, for her first team debut. In addition, ever reliable defender SOPHIE SMART had to cry off with a trapped nerve in her neck on Saturday morning, resulting in another colt ELINE SIBIA getting a late call up. Due to heavy traffic and the late arrival of one car, the Red & Blacks were not able to do a full warm up, but it didn’t appear to affect them as they dominated the play from the start on a new and excellently surfaced artificial turf pitch. The whole team was combining well, with the youngsters slotting in smoothly and playing some creative hockey. However, the Harrow goalkeeper was on tip top form and managed to stop/deflect/save the many good shots and short corners that the ‘back on form’ Ashford players created. The Red & Blacks didn’t get frustrated though, even when Skipper LAURA QUINN and the Harrow goalkeeper had an exclusive three minutes of play when the ball went back and fore between only the two of them, despite there being a crowded goalmouth! Any attacks that Harrow had were well contained by the Ashford defence with EMMA HYNES in particular being in fine form. The score thus remained at 0-0 until half time.

The second half saw young defender ELINE SIBIA brought on to play in attack, which was a major change from her normal position. Ashford continued to dominate the play with JACQUI (Basher) BASHFORD and JACKIE (Yip, Yip) PARSONS, amongst others, having fine shots saved by the still on song Harrow keeper. Eventually though, the constant Ashford pressure told when youngster KELLY TAYLOR fed the ball to her fellow colt ELINE SIBIA on the edge of the circle. ELINE’S marker slipped, but even if she hadn’t, she would not have been unable to stop ELINE’S scorching shot which hit the left backboard just inside the post and also rattled the backboard to put the Red & Blacks 1-0 up at last. Ashford continued to play the better hockey and press for a second goal, with players LAURA QUINN and ANNA PROTHEROE in particular doing all they could to get on the score line, which regularly involved them going full length in their attempts to get the ball or shoot at goal. Another goal was not attained though, but Ashford retained their slim lead until full time. Besides the much improved performance resulting in three more League points, the performance of the younger players was also very gratifying. The win meant that Ashford retain their fourth position in the Premier Division, although the three teams above them have all played one game less. Next Saturday the Red & Blacks have to travel to Paddington to play Hampstead & Westminster 3^rd XI, who are five places below them in the league, so coach MANDY WAIN will hoping to have a full squad to select from and will be looking for the team to continue with their recovered form and winning ways.

Team: S. Grant (GK), E. Hynes, J Parsons, E. Sibia, K. Taylor, E Ashford-Hodges, L. Quinn (Skipper), S. Kenward, N. Benedict, K. Fry, A Protheroe, J Bashford

Ashford 4’s 3 Wallingford 3’s 4

Scorers: Adamski, Fat Dan, Dash

One of these days would be good to have title Got Lucky (1). Played the top team, no Big Amit and 3-down fairly early and it wasn’t looking good - against a team that deserve to be - and are - top.

We were playing well but again short corners were our downfall for all 3 goals (and the last one too!!). Fat Dan scored a stonker of a shortie before half time to get us back into the game - flicking in off the crossbar.

Halftime saw a major re-org by tactical genius Gordo (not the one you know of course, ok it was, but it was borne of desperation) and we went at them. 10 minutes later, 3-all and game on!! Adamski reverse-smacked in a shortie before Fat Dan took a quick free hit and Dash deflected in for his first 4′ goal ( and a little goal celebration, good to see from the youngster!!)

The visitors had more of the ball and we worked very hard to deny them time and space to work the ball around but eventually they scored from another shortie and we got stretched chasing the game to no avail.

They were very complimentary about us after the game but we still had nul point - unless they fancy donating one to us which would be nice but is probably a bit unlikely

Saturday 8th November saw AHC transformed in to ASHFACTOR 2008, our own search for club members with that certain something which stands them out from the rest! And oh boy was there some tough competition. The evening started off in a civilised manner with Rosemary cooking us a lovely curry. Sadly a few of the acts were sick, but in true team spirit, others stepped into the breach leaving us with 7 acts to be entertained by. Deep did another great job of comparing, and introduced the first act, Frankie and the Funky Detorris aka Ladies 1s (look out for photos and all will become clear - there’s already pics on FB!!). There were calls of cheat as Emma Fowler led the singing supported by the colourful trio of Stacey K, Laura S & Hayley E - however, it was pointed out that it wasn’t in the rules that the team had to sing….just present an act…supported by our very own judge Louis (Cole!). Me thinks it was jealousy as Frankie et al kicked off with a rousing performance of SHOUT. The only thing our judges Louis, Danni (Mandy), Simon (Angry Dave) & Cheryl (Hynes) could come up with was on the whiteness of the backing singers legs. It set the standard from the off - this was going to be a good night!

Men came next…..the 2s looked like they were having a solo peformance from Matt S…..but then, just as he was looking who to call, the GHOSTBUSTERS (Le Crab, Mini S, Carl M & Ed G) arrived to deal with his ghouly issues! Enthusiasm was the highlight here….and a great effort on the costumes albeit not so colourful as the Frankies. The judges delivered there verdict…performance great but where were the words!!! Matt S clearly having too good a time to worry about a small thing as singing into the mic?!

Deep kept the event moving and the other acts quickly followed on.  Ladies 2s had to promote the backing singers to main act after the diva fronting them came down with something probably alcohol related from the night before (I saw you at Waterloo!!!) but Freddie led the Locomotion with gusto and some how Hils, Luvvy, Ellie & Eline managed to look co-ordinated behind her.

Now how to introduce the men’s 1s? First team freshers Will and Simon had ‘volunteered’ to sing a song selected by their team. Due to technical issues, the song was changed at last minute….not that it impacted on their rehersals….tho insider gossip indicates they’d scheduled some (infernos) dance rehersals and family might have been involved? I’m sure Pink, Christina, Mia & Lil Kim would have consulted them on their version of Lady Marmalade for dance and vocals if they’d only known. An enthusiatic performance with Will leading the singing and Simon the ‘dancing’, but I can’t remember the judges comments I was laughing so much. It certainly got the audience going….and soon the entire mens 1s were on their feet clapping and cheering at the end.

The U-18 girls picked a song from a singer who probably had reached her peak before these young ladies were even a twinkle in their parents eye…who knows, perhaps from an era when their parents were only twinkles too! But One way or another, Eline, Becky H & Sarah gave an energetic performance of Blondie which impressed the judges. At this point I did hear mutterings that judge Simon was being far too unsimon (and unangry like)….what had been put in his drink? Or how many bribes had he taken? Hannah S, Kirsty H, Elize & Becky H from the Ladies 3 had made an effort with costumes…fetching tutus and legwarmers were the order of the day, but with an 80s song what else would you expect?! Not as crazy dancing as the original flashdance, but a grand effort all the same.

Final performance of the first round went to the mixed. Digger and his blonde bit on the side (Fry) sang about paradise by the dash board light. The full 8 minute version of it. For some it might have been Paradise (fry certainly looked at home in his red dress and blonde up do) but for others it wasn’t (possible the exposure of briefs from fry did that?!) - just as well Meatloaf, sorry did I say Meatloaf, I meant digger and Fry’s singing helped us keep some focus.

So…..7 acts all performed….voting time began. Popular vote, we were going for the top two to sing to win. But it was a close call…..a 3 way split at the top….so 3 it was…..except….last minute the mens 3s came up with a song….would they be allowed a last minute entry….would they be able win a place in the final? Well…they got the singoff! Elliot Symes was outperformed by Freddie C….and soon Charlie C joined them on stage….Queen of the crop? They made it to the final where the judges were going to pick this years ASHFACTOR!

Could you guess the acts? Possibly…..Mens 3s, Mens 1s, Ladies 1s & Mixed……a combination of talent and entertainment….but the judges were quick to point out it’s the entire package not just the vocals which gives you that ASHFACTOR! Men’s 1s produced a different song…Living on a Prayer….it was an even more enthusiastic performance than the first…the energy, the polish, the Ashfactor!….and ended up with bare chests….the temperature was rising and the crowds were dancing! A true rock star performance! A diva moment was nearly occurred when Fry was told they wouldn’t be allowed 8 minutes of Paradise the second time and that this time they might have to actually sing….but a stern look from his man, and the hormones were settled. Ladies 1s did it again with SHOUT (polished was used a lot by the judges) and Peter C was seen with eyes closed appreciating the vocal talents of his boys and Elliot as they redid their Queen tribute. After the second performance…the judges decided. It was close….Ladies 1s, Mens 1s and Mixed all got a vote….it was down to Cheryl to decide….she went with overall entertainment…and the accolade of ASHFACTOR winners 2008 went to Digger and Fry! Will we ever hear the end of it? Probably not! If its any concession it was the popular vote by 1! They got 18, and both 1s teams got 17 each…with good numbers for all the other entries too!

A huge thanks to all the judges - there were some good comments, some honest truths and the usual absolute B*******t too! Just like the real deal! Deep was a usual star comparing! Thanks to Ali B, Keith Nash and Mark D manning the bar and letting us have the function whilst Tracey enjoys her honeymoon….most appreciated. And thanks to Stacey for organising something I didn’t think I’d see….the Mens 1s in arts and craft corner helping with ‘dressing’ the room! We know where to come to for the Dinner dance :-). Please say taa to the other assistants - digger and nat for staging, hannah, stacey, kim, fry et al for setting up the room, and Rosemary for food. But biggest thanks is to AHC - it takes people to make the atmosphere….and I believe we had a bit of that on Saturday night!!! Funds have been raised….i just need to count up how much

Wendy Baker

A scratch under 12 AHC Boys side did fantastically on Sunday when they won the Surrey Under 12 Boys Tournament at Reed’s School Cobham - a tournament we historically lose in the semi’s and occasionally the final.

First match was against Oxted, a very strong team with an excellent goalkeeper. A tight 1-0 win - Max scoring from a goalmouth scramble.

Second match was against our old nemesis Teddington. Boys played really well and put their shorties away - 4-1 up!

 Quarter final was against PURLEY, they attacked through the middle but they met a strong Ashford defence, we would win the ball and start attacking immediately with Greg right mid, Carun left mid getting on the end of some well hit, accurate passes from Luke. Max and Joske held the back line very well and Henry made some excellent.

The goals came from Greg and Carun with strong backup from Matthew and Luke. 2-0 up!!

The semi final was against SURBITON. Again we were strong and confident. The boys passed the ball around really well and our team play was excellent

Our short corners continued to be consistent with 80% of them on target. Again our defending was strong and our attacking play fast and aggressive. 3-0 up!!!

The boys were full of confidence and we were enjoying ourselves despite the rain and cold.

The Final was against Oxted. Positive attacking led to Greg scoring - we had to hold Oxted off for 5 minutes to win the tournament. Luke called everyone except the striker back behind the ball with instructions to clear everything. Every time Oxted attacked we defended, hit the ball hard up the other end of the pitch and pushed up.

Oxted could not get through our defence, we had them constantly on the back foot and played the game out confidently to win the Surrey Tournament!!!!

This has never been done by a team from ASHFORD in any age group before. The boys listen well and follow the game plan, they play well as a team and play for each other.

Well done, boys and congratulations to them and their coach, Jakki.. 

All colt’s sides and sections are looking for new players, so please can all AHC members help by spreading the word about Colts training for all levels of players and ages on Sunday and mornings and Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Please contact Peter Cottrell on colts@ashfordhockeyclub.co.uk for further details.

Ladies League Hockey 8^th November 2008
Middlesex Premier

Ashford 1^st XI 0 v PHC Chiswick 1^st XI 3

After a one week break from hockey action, Ashford Ladies 1^st XI faced the team directly above them in the League, PHC Chiswick at Short Lane on Saturday. The Red & Blacks were able to welcome back defender KIM FRY, who was returning to action after illness, but were without regular midfielders JACQUI BASHFORD and PHIL WORSFOLD. After a couple of torrential downpours, the Short Lane pitch was saturated but playable, although initially some players found the pitch conditions difficult to deal with. From the start of the game though, it was the visitors who settled first and played the better hockey with three of four core players in their team controlling their play and the game in general. Ashford meanwhile lacked cohesion and utilised sloppy tactics on occasions and were not supporting each other well as they usually do. The visitors not surprisingly took full advantage of the Red & Blacks poor form and were soon two goals to nil ahead due to some clinical finishing by their forwards when they got into the Ashford goalmouth. Moreover, whenever Ashford did get some moves going the visitors were able to break them up by reading the moves and decisively cutting out the passes. Thus with PC Chiswick so dominate, the score remained at two nil to PHC Chiswick until half time.

Unfortunately for Ashford things did not improve much in the second half, although they did not let their heads drop. They worked hard to try and play some fluent hockey, but the rhythm was not there and the forwards especially struggled to set up any constructive moves and threats on the visitor’s goal. Things were further compounded when the visitor’s Chiswick scored a third goal from a short corner midway through the second half. The ball was hit out well by the injector, and the receiver put in a good first time strike, but the ball went towards the left of the goal, where the injector was waiting to knock the ball home and put the result more or less beyond doubt and three nil to PHC Chiswick. Stalwart full back and Ashford Ladies club captain EMMA HYNES was voted the Ashford player of the match, in what was probably their poorest performance of the season. Coach MANDY WAIN was very disappointed with things after the game, as were many of the players, who realise that they have a lot of work to do to improve matters and get back work to winning ways and the good team work and fluent hockey they were displaying at the start of the season. Their next League game is next Saturday 15/11/08, when the Red & Blacks have to travel to Harrow, to play bottom of the league side Harrow 2^nd XI. Coach MANDY WAIN and all the players will be striving to produce a better performance against them, and secure some more goals and league points.

Team; S. Grant (GK), E. Hynes, J Parsons, A. Neyton, H. Eames, M. Cavilla, L. Quinn (Skipper), S. Kenward, S. Smart, N. Benedict, O. Young. K. Fry, A Protheroe

Oxford Hawks 4’s 1 Ashford 4’s 1

scorer: Gordo

Really good game this week, both teams trying to play hockey and mostly succeeding! Overall we shaded the game but it was a fair result.

First half was open and frenetic but we were more incisisve and we got a penalty when, from a shortie, Stevie Davies squeezed his shot and the keeper got a pad to it but it hit their lad on the line. Up stepped Gordo who converted with his trademark/patent pending/copyright penalty i.e their ‘keeper hadn’t seen it before!

Not for the first game our performance merited a half time lead but we conceded a soft short corner and an equaliser. 2 minutes before the end of the half, the lights went and we had to wait 20 minutes to resume and the conditions started to worsen.

Considering the ‘orrible conditions, quality of the game remained high but there were few chances though we continued to look more dangerous. Still a point is a point and we go up against league leaders, Wallingford, this coming Saturday at 4.30 in good heart.