What a start to the new season

24/9/2023 Ashford Antiques 045’s (AAs) 6 v Teddington Flamingos’ 0

London Area Masters 045 Premier League
For the first game of the new season, the AAs were at home to Teddington Flamingos’ whom we shared the spoils with last season losing to them in the away game and winning at home. However, the tragic death of long time team mate and friend to many, Gill Waite at the age of 57, slightly overshadowed proceedings. A short eulogy to Gill was given and one minutes silence was observed in her memory by both teams and all present before the start of the game. Despite the emotional opening and with the hot conditions, the AAs started at a good pace with the players keeping their positions and using the ball well. It wasn't too surprising therefore when the Red & Blacks opened the scoring with a good move involving Jackie Parsons and Gillian Clegg on the left, the latter of whom slipped the ball across to Nicky Davis who slotted it home to open the scoring. Playing three upfront paid more dividends when Jackie and Gillian combined again, along with midfielder Nicky Benedict to set up Kelly Roberts, who fired home the AAs second goal. Any attacks the Flamingos’ were creating, were admirably coped with by the Red & Blacks back line of the youthful Tina Clarke, the ever running sweeper Lenny Petrakova and the returning from injury Jacqui Bashford-Hynes. The midfield diamond formation was also working well with the classy Claire Brant at the bottom of the diamond, Nicky Benedict at the top and Kelly and Lynne Morgan on the flanks. Although the visitors continued to mount some attacks, they were quickly and efficiently dealt with and the AAs added a third goal before the break. This time a good ball by an advancing Lenny found Gillian free and she made no mistake in firing the ball home.

The second half saw the AAs continue their dominance prompted by solid defending where Christine Delacoudre grew in confidence as the game went on and Jo Lawton played solidly in goal. A further three goals were secured by the AAs, when firstly strong play by the thrust full Lenny resulted in her prodding home the fourth goal after a mêlée in the visitors goalmouth. Lenny then added a second goal to her tally, and the AA’s fifth following a pass by Nicky Benedict. A smart move between Lynne and Nicky Benedict saw Nicky make a fine strike from the top of the circle to make it six to the home team. In the last few minutes Lynne and Nicky Benedict combined once again, but the ball just eluded Nicky at the foot of the near post following a short corner strike by Lynne. An excellent result from a well played game.

Thanks are due to our umpires, especially Paul Neyton, the opposition, also the friends/teammates of Gill and our own supporters who cheered us on. It was particularly good to see recently born, Sebastian Bashford-Hynes, attending his first ever AAs game. Player of the match was veteran skipper Lynne, who just beat Nicky Benedict, but the team as a whole also got two votes, as it was an outstanding performance by all the squad - one of which we hope Gill would be proud of.

Team: Jo Lawton (GK), Jackie Parsons, Claire Brant, Lynne Morgan (C), Nicky Davis, Tina Clarke, Lenny Petrakova, Kelly Roberts, Gillian Clegg, Nicky Benedict, Jacqui Bashford-Hynes, Christine Delacoudre.
Umpire: Paul Neyton
LM 28/9/2023