Wycombe get Shujah'd

Ashford men’s 1st XI faced a tricky trip away to Wycombe, who had drawn the previous week with Eastcote, to allow Ashford to go to the top of the league.

The game was being played at Bisham Abbey, the home of GB Hockey, on the newly laid surface that is exactly the same as the pitches the GB teams will be playing on at the Rio Olympics later on in the year. Being more used to the pitch, Wycombe started the brighter and kept working the ball around nicely, but without much penetration going forward. Once Ashford adjusted and got a foothold in the game, they started to dictate play, and look the more dangerous team. Shujah ur Rehman was looking dangerous when he got the ball, and managed to get the games first short corner, when he beat 3 Wycombe defenders and drew a foul. With a rapid injection from Ian Pitfield, and a vintage stop by Charlie Cottrell, Rehman stepped up and powered the ball into the bottom corner to give the Red and Blacks the lead. Shortly after, Player/Coach Ravi Virdi won another short corner for the visitors, which Rehman again put away, this time rifled into the top corner. Ashford were rampant at this point, and after Pitfield had a shot illegally stopped on the line, Rehman had the opportunity to bag a first half hat trick. Hi duly did so, with a Gordon Smith-esque flick to the keepers left. Pitfield continued his good work latching on to a stray pass by the Wycombe defence, before beating his player and squaring to Alex Betts, who rolled the ball in to an empty net from 6 inches out.

After a half time team talk, where Virdi was adamant Ashford were not going to concede and would win the second half, Ashford conceded almost straight away after sloppily giving the ball away. Wycombe were buoyed by their early breakthrough and really upped the pressure on the visiting side, and pulled another goal back via a short corner of their own. Ashford were really having to fight for the control of the game, but after surviving the initial Wycombe onslaught thank to Daniel Appleyard making some crucial saves, they were up to the challenge. With Pitfield and Rehman going close again, Ashford were able to regain control and see out the rest of the game without any more scares.

Ashford now face local rivals Staines, looking to regain top spot after Eastcote went back to the summit on goal difference.