Oxford Obliterated!!

Ashford 1s took on Oxford 2s at The Lane this week not knowing what to expect. Oxford were sitting in the lower half of the table whilst obtaining some strange results including a 3-2 win against Chiswick - who we draw against earlier in the season. With our league promotion rivals Eastcote 1s having beaten them 6-1 the week before, we went into the game determined to better Eastcote's score but still remained cautious.

The game started with Oxford on the front foot with Ashford not seeing much of the ball. That was soon changed with Ashford's main man, Shujah Ur-Rehman, rounding the first runner at a short corner and firing low across the keeper into the net. At 1-0 down within the first 5 minutes, Oxford sat back with a half court press inviting Ashford to regain control of the possession. After another well worked short corner (this time firing into the top corner nearly taking the post man with it) and an open field goal from Shujah Ur-Rehman the team started to settle. The rotating front line of Jamie Hemphrey, Piers Du Boulay, Tom Pitfield, Andrew Whiting and Alex Betts injected some pace into the game dominating the flanks and looking threatening in the D. Along with the league leading goal-scorer, Shujah Ur-Rehman, Ashford's attacking force are rapidly becoming the most feared in the league with 45 goals from 9 games. This is backed up by A defence that has conceded only 9 goals from 9 games including 4 clean sheets. After a typical JAMIE SMASH from Ashford's powerhouse Jamie Hemphrey into the roof of the net, Ashford went into half time with a comfortable lead.

Player coach Ravi Virdi gave his team some words of wisdom at half time as Ashford came out the traps and continued to control the game. A further three goals followed as Ashford continued to overwhelm Oxford 2s with full backs Adam Dunbavand and Matt Law causing mayhem down the flanks. Nothing much troubled the Ashford defence despite two very good short corner drag flicks. These were both comfortably dealt with by Ashford's keeper Ryan Croxon - one low to his right and the other being plucked from the top corner.

The home side finished the game with a commanding 7-0 win over their Oxford 2s rivals. Ashford 1s now prepare for their final two league games before the Christmas break taking on Newbury & Thatcham 1s and Eastcote 2s.