Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

In order for the Under 18 Boys to get through from their preliminary League matches and into the semi final of the Mercian 6-a-side Tournament at Surbiton on Sunday, they had to win or obtain a score draw in their last game which was against the top of the table team Maidenhead. The AHC Boys managed it by beating them 1-0 with a goal from Karun. The semi final ended all square and the junior Red & Blacks had super star goalkeeper Ryan Croxon to thank for them qualifying for the final due to his heroic saves during the enthusing penalty flick competition. In the other semi final Canterbury A beat Maidenhead. The final was a stunner with Ashford opening the scoring with a goal from Luke Wheeler, only for Canterbury A to get an equaliser and then take the lead 2-1. Luke Wheeler then took on two defenders and the Canterbury keeper to slot home his ninth goal of the day and the equaliser for AHC, only for Canterbury to again take the lead 3-2. Phil Lewis then managed an equaliser for AHC from a short corner. Almost inevitably Canterbury took the lead again and after the boys moved up a gear to again scored an equaliser, again from Phil Lewis to make the final score 4-4.

The match then went to extra time, but surprisingly no goals were scored so the final went to the best of three penalty flicks. The ever reliable Ashford keeper Ryan Croxon saved the first Canterbury flick and Phil Lewis scored for Ashford. Ryan duly saved Canterbury’s second flick so it was down to Luke Wheeler to score the winner if possible, which he did in the bottom left corner to rapturous applause from the Ashford supporters and many spectators.

All the team did well and did Ashford proud, the defence was very strong with Phil Lewis and Joe Muldoon holding the line and an on form Ryan Croxon between the sticks. Dashmesh Sandu held the middle of the pitch with Karun to his left and Luke Wheeler covering right mid. This system worked incredibly well and allowed AHC to attack from the back. Matthew Sutch came on as super sub in various positions and put in some great tackles and strong clearances. Amongst the goals were Phil Lewis, including a daring drag flick, Dash who hit one so hard the goal rattled, Karun with the winner in the semi and Luke Wheeler, which included a hat trick against Canterbury B and two more in the final. A super day and collection of performances by the whole squad and coaching team of Jakki Wheeler and Adrian Hewes.

The AHC end of season Newsletter has been e-mailed/posted out to paid up Club members and a copy will be posted on the website soon. Copies are also available at the Clubhouse. It includes a list of the award winners for the 2008/9 season, as as well summaries of the senior team performances and lots of AHC news, juicy gossip and information.

The Hockey Club Annual General Meeting for 2009 will be held at the Clubhouse at 7.30pm on WEDNESDAY 20th MAY. The Agenda and Minutes from last year’s meeting will be sent out to all paid up members by e-mail in the next week or so. If you have changed your e-mail address or would like to receive a hard copy please let the Club Secretary Phil Worsfold on (secretary@ashfordhockeyclub.co.uk) or Treasurer Doreen Brown (treasurer@ashfordhockeyclub.co.uk) or on 01932 229785 know. Please put the date in your diary and come along if you can as your help is needed and Club Officers and Team Captains for next season are needed.