19/11/2023 Southgate Flutes 1 v Ashford Antiques/O45s (AAs) 2

In their third league game of the season on Sunday 19th of November, the AAs travelled round the M25 to take on a very experienced, thirteen woman Southgate Flutes squad. Last season, the AAs were unable to field a team to play them away, so despite injuries and other commitments, ten AAs and two supporters set off with optimism for the 2.15 pm push back. Added to the AAs woes they had to play in white, so skipper Morgan had to rewrite her very technical team talk to say “Please pass the ball from white to white, down the pitch and put the ball in the net”! The home team kindly provided two umpires who did a good job in trying conditions. The Flutes had a lot of talented players and despite the AAs efforts they were pinned back in their own half/twenty five for the first twenty or so minutes of the game. Agile goal keeper Jo Lawton and the back defensive line of Vanessa Law, Tina Clarke and Hilary Hull (who was making her first AAs appearance of this season), did a sterling job though to keep the score at 0-0. They were supplemented by midfielders Claire Brant, Kelly Roberts and Lynne Morgan, who along with Jackie Parsons, were all pulled back into more defensive roles than usual as Southgate utilised well their extra field player in wave after wave of attacks. The AAs weathered the storm though and spurred on by some good team work and thrusting AAs runs, especially from Kelly, the forwards Nicky Davis and Gillian Clegg were brought more into the game. Several chances were created and some short corners were obtained. Despite going close, the AAs didn’t score and following another strong Southgate attack the Flutes managed to penetrate the AAs defence, and opened the scoring to take a probably deserved 1-0 lead. The score remained at 1-0 until half time.
At the break, the AAs were not surprisingly tired, but all were upbeat and determined to give everything in the second half. They started well and were confident in their passing and started to control more of the play. Jackie as always showed her silky stick skills and quick hockey brain, whilst Claire, Kelly, Lynne, Nicky and Gillian continuing to do their bit. However, it was Kelly who shone in every way and when she went on another run from midfield. she fired home the equaliser from the right edge of the D. Whilst this rattled Southgate the AAs kept their concentration and coped well with the forceful home side’s attacks. With fifteen minutes left to play Jackie did some clever work in the D and spliced the Southgate defenders with a splendid pass to the right hand post, where Gillian quickly and cleverly slotted it home to give the AAs a 2-1 lead. Not surprisingly, the Flutes threw everything into attack and gained three short corners, but Jo remained resolute between the sticks and Vanessa, Tina and Hilary ably stood strong; with Gillian and Nicky also tracking back when needed to. The AAs were therefore overjoyed to hear the final whistle and thoroughly deserved to maintain their unbeaten run and remain top of the table at the half way stage of the season. The clear Player of the Match was Kelly, who ran selflessly during the whole game and got through a lot of work. Jackie, Jo and Claire each got a vote, but all ten players deserve a medal, as do the two supporters Niamh Roberts and Lee Davies. A memorable game and victory although we did miss you Bash, Christine, Lenny and Nicky B.

Team: Jo Lawton (GK), Jackie Parsons, Vanessa Law, Hilary Hull, Clare Brant, Lynne Morgan (C), Nicky Davis, Tina Clarke, Kelly Roberts, Gillian Clegg,

Umpires: Southgate provided both. LM 23/11/2023