In their final league game of 2021 and still undefeated, Ashford entertained third in the table Woking 4’s; who were captained by former AHC tourer, long time Woking 1’s and England masters player June Blythe. The Red and Blacks squad were missing Kim and Lucy Downs and Beth Jefferies, but were otherwise at full strength. The visitors started the game sharply and gained a short corner which they failed to convert. Ashford then got into their stride, but the young, nimble Woking keeper kept the Ashford strikers at bay. After 12 minutes of pressure from the Red & Blacks a lovely team move ended with Lucy Scott pushing the ball to Molly Davis who netted the ball neatly to put the home team 1-0 up. An Ashford short corner followed, but unfortunately a shot didn’t materialise. Further good home team play, especially down the left flank where Claire Brant and the effervescent Sophie Nicholas were combining and probing well; supported as ever by Lenka Petrakova put the visitors under more pressure. After 17 minutes, Ashford gained their first short corner, which saw a neat move between several players, which they just failed to convert. When Woking did attack Emma Hynes was as dominant as ever in defence, ably assisted by Jade Johnston and Jacqui Bashford. Another home team short corner saw the ball injected, swept left, then right and across to an unmarked Molly Davis who slotted it home to net her and Ashford’s second goal. Shortly after a long, through pass from forward Phoebe Neyton set the marauding Lucy Scott free, who glided into the circle on the left, tidily rounded the visitors keeper and hit the ball home before the retreating Woking defender could reach her; to make it 3-0 to the Red & Blacks at the break.

The second half saw the home team keeper Jo Lawton in action, making several diving saves, controlling her circle well, and successfully thwarting the visitor’s attacks. More play down the right saw Ashford youngster Madeline Brant getting more involved, with the ever prompting Kelly Roberts as busy as ever. Another Red & Blacks corner after ten minutes of play, saw Phoebe Neyton scoring to make it 4-0 as coach Jackie Parsons kept the rolling substitutes and positional changes working well. The Red & Blacks were then awarded a penalty flick which Molly Davis was selected to take in the hope that she could complete her hat trick, but although on target she didn’t totally get the control her flick and the able Woking keeper saved it. An unfortunate ball to the face then resulted in damage to the Red & Blacks defender Jade Johnston, who left the pitch to ice the wound and recover. The dominant home team added a fifth goal via the hard working Nicky Benedict after 26 minutes in the second half. Keeper Jo Lawton continued to keep Woking at bay in the final quarter and Molly nearly completed her hat trick near the end of the game, but the final score remained at 5-0 to ensure Ashford complete the first half of the season undefeated. Coach Jackie Parsons can only be pleased with the squads record of played 11, won 11, goals for 89, goals against 10, goal differenc 79, points 33, leaving them 3 points above second placed Guilford 4’s whose have scored 55 goals, conceeded 6 and have a goal difference of 49. The squad have all still to play for in the second half of the season when fixtures start on January 15th 2022.

A big vote of thanks is due to umpires David Brant and Lesley Mitchell, both of whom have officiated well during the first part of the season.