29/1/2022 Cranleigh Ladies 1’s v Ashford Ladies 1’s 4

In their third league game of 2022, Ashford ventured to a new venue in Godalming to play Cranleigh ladies 1’s. Coach Jackie Parsons had five of her regular squad members missing due to illness, work and other commitments, so brought in Felicity Lawton for her first game of the season, Hannah Merchant and youngster Kitty Langdon; whilst a few other squad members were playing despite carrying slight injuries. The game started brightly for the Red and Blacks with Jade Johnson showing some neat 3D skills down the right. Several forays on the home team goal brought their keeper into early action and she thwarted the Red and Blacks attacks. Continued pressure resulted in an Ashford short corner and their slick routine saw Molly Davis having a shot, but once again the Cranleigh nimble keeper stepped up to the mark and blocked the visitors attack. The home side then got more into the game, but a couple of neatly timed tackles by Emma Hynes and industrious defending by Skipper Jacqui Bashford, Madeline Brant and Sophie Nicholas, along with some good diving saves by Ashford keeper Jo Lawton, kept them at bay. Both teams secured further short corners, but neither could finish them off. Whilst not playing badly, the Red and Blacks couldn’t quite find their usual rhythm and goal scoring touch, despite some excellent runs by Kitty Langdon and Phoebe Neyton. Eventually, Ashford found the back of the net to take the lead after 33 minutes of play and notch their 100th goal of the season, a feat they first achieved nearly ten years ago. A raking long pass from Molly Davis found Lucy Scott free near the D and Lucy swept into the circle and shot on goal with the ball rising and beating the home team keeper, with Phoebe Neyton making sure that the ball was over the line. Ashford celebrated their centenary goal, but quickly got back into action to ensure they kept their lead until half time.
A sterling team talk from coach Parsons at the interval and rearrangement of a few things; saw Ashford set off with much more flair in the second half. After only two minutes of play, they went 2-0 up when a searching pass from Jade Johnson found thrusting forward Lucy Scott free near the D, and Lucy netted the ball sharply. Shortly after Ashford’s Molly Davis who was now playing further forward had a good shot saved and then a follow up from a short corner saw a Phoebe Neyton shot deflected into the net by a Cranleigh defender to put the Red and Blacks 3-0 up. Phoebe nearly added another shortly after, when she swept a shot in from the left just inside the far post, but the ball was just outside the circle when she connected with it, so the goal was disallowed. However, Ashford continued to work hard with Hannah Merchant and Nicky Benedict prompting play in midfield. A little while later Lucy Scott completed her hat trick and put Ashford 4-0 up. Hard working midfielder Nicky Benedict nearly added a fifth with a fine shot, whilst Sophie Nicholas and Flick Lawton also went close. A foray by the home team near the end saw them score from a good lob to make the final score 4-1 in Ashford’s favour. Credit is due to the squad for their hard work and Jade Johnson and Sophie Nicholas who played on despite incurring injuries during the game. Also to the Lawton family and unwell, regular squad member Claire Brant, for braving the cold conditions to support the team. A good win achieved in difficult circumstances and all to play for still.
LM 30.1.2022.