Ashford Men’s 4s Win Again As British Airways Wings Are Clipped

Battling 3-2 Victory As 4s Hold Out For Fine Victory

Ashford Men’s 4s held firm against a 2nd half barrage from BA on Saturday to close out their away fixtures for the season with a fine 3-2 victory. In what proved a classic “game of two halves”, Ashford stormed into the lead with the first move of the game, as Paul “Iceman” Northam returned from injury to slot home with his first touch of the game. BA pulled the game back level, before midway through the first half Surinder sneaked in with the guile of the Scarlet Pimpernel, hugging the backline before slotting the ball past the keeper with precision rather than pace.

2-1 at half time was just reward for a solid performance, but BA came out fighting (literally) in the 2nd half unleashing a barrage of pressure on the Asford backline, along with some less savoury gamesmanship and excessive aggression on the pitch. As cards began to look like they might overtake goals in the game, it was time for Iceman to step up again, as a well worked move down the right side saw the ball driven across the D where he calmly slotted home from 5 yards out.

BA weren’t finished, and Ashford were grateful for a Man of the Match performance from Cam in goal, with one outstanding double save followed shortly afterwards with a gloved save as a penalty corner was drilled in. With 5 minutes left, BA lashed home another penalty corner to bring the score back to 3-2. But Ashford were not to be beaten, as they slowed the game down, and frustrated BA for the final minutes.

Not the most fluid performance from the 4s, but possibly the most satisfying victory of the season against a Jekyll and Hyde team who played some great hockey, but ultimately lacked the team spirit and positive attitude of the Mighty 4s.

A double header awaits next weekend, as the 4s welcome Sunbury & Walk Hawks and Teddington Tigers to Short Lane.