Girls U12 Middlesex Cup 8/3/20
Ashford’s U12 girls, after a season of good results, entered the higher cup competition but three minutes in and three goals down to Hampstead and Westminster it seemed as if we were going to be in for a long afternoon. Our girls are made of sterner stuff than that though and they dragged themselves back into the game and started to play the sort of hockey that we know they are capable of. There were chances at both ends but the opposition nicked another, and it finished 4:0.
Not a great start and with an hour wait until the next game against Southgate we were worried, but they fought out a 0:0 draw in a game that had everything but goals. Some heroic defending from Nya and Alice, Aimee in goal showed why she was selected for Middlesex this year. We had chances at the other end but neither team was able to put the ball in the back of the net.
The last two games were against Richmond and Sunbury, we had the better of both games with Nya distributing the ball left, right and centre to Analise, Zara and Emma. The captain Daya, ran great lines and created several opportunities, our subs Jo, Niamh and Flo all got a run out and didn’t weaken the team in any way when they came on. There was a great cohesiveness in the girls play, all knew their position and what to do, short corners were attacked and defended as a group. The opposition goal led a charmed life though and the ball would not go in and both games finished 0:0.
There has been a clear improvement in the U12 team play and skill level this season and big thanks must go to Caleb Giuseppe for his challenging training with the squad in the second half of the season.
Ashford U16 (1 - 6) Maidenhead U16 1/3/20Having lost their first-round match to Maidenhead, Ashford were looking for a home win in front of a keen crowd of supporters. Alas, it wasn't to be as the well drilled opposition scored two goals in each half, and despite Ashford finishing strongly with a great goal, defected in by Eva, the final score was 1 - 6.
Richmond Girls U14 (3-0) Ashford Girls U14 1/3/20
The game started evenly with both team attacking and counterattacking at pace, with Ashford biggest threat coming from Kitty’s sharper breaks, supported by Emma, Zara, Daya, Eva and Analise. However, Ashford fell behind after an unusual interpretation of the advantage rule gifted Richmond possession in the D. The rest of the half continued in the same vein with both team having chances and half chances, Mads and Nya battling in midfield and Becky, Charlotte and Talia repelling attacks. Anabelle playing her second game of the day on goal kicked away all that came her way.
The start of the second half was dominated by Ashford, only a great save from the Richmond goalie prevented Zara from equalizing. The ball flashed across the face of the goal a couple of times and there were several scrambles in the D but it would not go in. Almost inevitably after so much possession a sharp break away from Richmond resulted in a second goal. Ashford continued to dominate but the goal still wouldn’t come, and they were caught on the break again as Richmond got a third. Credit to Richmond who were sharp in the tackle, never let Ashford settle on the ball and took their chances well. So, another game of what could have been but also another game with the team showing great camaraderie, skill and hard work. Many of the girls were playing their second game of the day and some their third game of the weekend, fantastic commitment to the club.
'Star of the Month' goes to the talented Charlotte McLelland who, as a high forward, is known for her fast runs and ability to hold the ball up front. This month, she has been asked to play in defence, something very new to her. She has played extremely well in this position and has combined her defensive skills with her fast runs to become an amazing wing back. What a discovery, well done Charlotte!
