Guildford 4's v AHC 1's 4.12.2021

4.12.2021 Guildford Ladies 4’s 2 v Ashford ladies 1’s 3

This top of the table match was always going to be a tight affair, as both sides were undefeated after their nine league games played so far this season. As expected, the match started at a fast pace with Ashford slightly on top and trying to stamp their authority in the opening exchanges. A delay around ten minutes in, whilst the home team umpire sought a different colour shirt to avoid the colour clash with the Red and Blacks, seemed to inspire the home team. However, after 19 minutes Ashford took the lead, with a neat, sweeping, long corner move on the left, between Claire Brant and Kim Downs saw Kim netting the opening goal of the game. The home team, who had four substitutes, were using them well and the Red and Blacks couldn’t quite find their normal rhythm. Despite Ashford threatening at a short corner and a nearly identical move between Claire and Kim, the score remained at 1-0 to the visitors at half time.

After the turn round Guildford threw everything at Ashford, and packed the centre of the pitch and snatched an equaliser after three minutes of play. Further short corners by the home team saw Ashford keeper Jo Lawton, making some sharp saves. As ever Emma Hynes was a stalwart in the Red and Blacks defence, ably assisted by Jade Johnston, Jacqui Bashford, Sophie Nicholas and Claire Brant. Eventually, the home side pressure told when they scored from a rebound from a short corner to make it 2-1 to Guildford. Ashford coach Jackie Parsons remained calm though and encouraged her hard-working midfield of Nicky Bendict, Phoebe Neyton and “never say die” Lenka Petrakova, to keep going. Encouraged by their stalwart band of supporters, forwards Lucy Scott and Kelly Roberts made inroads into the home team’s defence and the determined Lucy Scott, notched the equaliser with five minutes left to play, to make the scores even at 2-2 after 31 minutes play in the second half. Although the home side got another short corner, Ashford cleared and in the last minute of the game, they secured a short corner of their own. Despite the called move not going exactly to plan, a falling Kim Downs hit the ball home to snatch a 3-2 win for the Red & Blacks, thus retaining their unbeaten record. The excitement was too much for the watching, pregnant, ladies 1’s squad member Anna Prothroe, who dashed on the pitch at the final whistle to celebrate with the team.

Thanks are due to umpire David Brant who dealt well with some difficult situations and the spectators who braved the cold to cheer Ashford on. With one game left to play in the first half of the season, the ladies 1’s are now three points clear at the top of the table having scored 84 goals and only conceding 10.

Kim Downs, narrowly won player of the match, whilst coach Jackie Parsons got Dick of the Day for being late due to visiting the car wash!! Claire Brant came a close second with her dead mouse find and warming down antics.