14/1/2024 Teddington Flamingos’ 0 v Ashford Antiques O45s (AAs) 0

For their first game of 2024, the AAs had the short journey to Teddington to face the Flamingos, the only team to have beaten them last season. Once again injuries and other commitments meant the AAs only had ten players, but were able to welcome back from injury Lenka (Lenny) Petrokova. Unfortunately an ongoing injury meant that regular striker Gillian Clegg had to miss her first game of the season. Teddington meanwhile were at full strength, with several substitutes and included the very experienced, long-time England Masters player, and newly appointed British Empire Medallist, Sara Walker.

In dry and warmer conditions than anticipated, the AAs took the game to the home team combining well as always and making attacks down the left and right flanks. For the first part of the half it was mainly the AAs attacking with Jackie Parsons using her silky stick skills and Nicky Davis her speed to retrieve and pass the ball and attack the home team’s goal. When the Flamingos did attack, the back line of Jacqui Bashford, Lenny and Tina Clarke, capably thwarted them. AAs keeper Jo Lawton was also very solid with her saves and accurate clearances. Several short corners were obtained by the AAs and some good moves and shot’s made, but the Flamingos goalkeeper was a great shot stopper and dealt well with the AAs attacks. Midfielders Claire Brant and Lynne Morgan were meanwhile coping well with the home team’s attacks, with Lynne making more successful jab tackles than she had in the previous three games. In addition, Claire was using her special stick skills and hockey brain to play Ashford out of trouble and so the score remained at 0-0 at half time.

The second half followed a similar pattern with the AAs remaining on top with central players Nicky Benedict and Kelly Roberts controlling the play down the middle and the AAs threatening the home team goal. Likewise Teddington created some good moves and once or twice Jo, the AAs keeper, despite playing with an injured back, came out bravely to deal well with a couple of Teddington breakaways, The score remained at 0-0 until the end in an exciting and well balanced game, with the final minute of play being another AAs short corner, which was cleared by the home side. Despite not converting any chances or short corners; it was another sterling and highly enjoyable and commendable performance by the ten Red and Black AAs, who are still unbeaten and top of the Table. With two games left, just four more points are needed by the AAs to be certain of retaining the title. Player of the match was hotly contested with Claire, just winning from Lynne, with Tina and Nicky B tying in third place. The whole team deserve credit though for once again working together, and giving their all, despite many playing the day before and some carrying injuries, and gaining a much deserved point.
Thanks are due to the two efficient and friendly Teddington umpires, and our supporters Lucy Scott, Emma and Seb Bashford-Hynes and the Davis family.

Next game: Sunday 18th February v Old Cranleighans (away) at 1pm at Manor Road pitch.
The team is shown in glorious colour below.

LM 18/1/2024