The ladies 3's knew that points must be won in their remaining games of the season. They began their quest with determination, travelling away to play Ealing 2's on 29th February.
Ashford settled quickly at the back under early heavy pressure from the young Ealing side.Great distribution from the back from Kirsty Hull, linking with Kate Thompson and Lynne Morgan, led to Nicky forcing some attacks on goal but Ealing continued to block them with counter attacks. Ealing then started pressing high resulting in a much-disputed goal.
Ashford retaliated playing positive hockey up front with good linking between Ella Hare and Kitty Langdon who played fantastic hockey running through three Ealing backs to carry the ball and passed a slip ball through to Ella who took a shot on goal which was blocked by an Ealing defender which resulted in a short corner which alas was saved by the keeper.
After a motivational team talk by captain Tracy Holland, Ashford started strong in the second half and brought the game to Ealing securing another two short corners but were unfortunate to score from them. Ealing then piled the pressure on and scored their second goal from a controversial shot on goal. Overall the team played fantastic hockey despite a 2 - 0 loss.Player of the match was Vanessa Law
On 7th March, the 3's played Old Uxonians away and this was a crucial game for both sides in their battles to avoid relegation. Both teams have gained the same number of points so far this season and had only three games left to move off the bottom two places in the Division.
Both teams had squads of twelve players for the 10.30am encounter at Uxbridge and at least half a dozen vocal, enthusiastic, but sporting groups of supporters. Both teams started well and with a lot of determination and skill being shown. The mixture of experience and youth enabled the red and blacks to make some good forays on the home team’s circle, with Wendy Baker driving things well from midfield, ably assisted by Vanessa Law and Nicky Davis, Ella Hare and Charlotte McClelland upfront. Several short corners were gained, but not converted whilst OU’s had several skilful forwards up front whom Kirsty Hull, Abi and Millie Hack and skipper Gemma Pyle did well to contain. As OU’s came more into the game they gained a few short corners of their own, but AHC keeper Catherine Gordon kept them at bay. However, a slight lapse in defence after about twenty minutes of play saw the home team take the lead through veteran forward Liz Laird. The Red and Blacks kept playing their game though and Vanessa, Wendy and Lynne Morgan started to open up the game with some swift passing and good combinations in the middle and down the right, whilst Eva Nappin worked tirelessly on the left of the midfield helping to create more chances for the Red and Blacks. Although it was not a particularly physical or dirty game, there were a couple of close encounters, one being when young AHC forward Ella Hare toppled over and an eager OU’s player landed on top of her, luckily both were able to carry on and the score remained at 1-0 to the home side until half time.
The 3’s remained in good spirits at half time and all were eager to continue with their passing game and game plans, and for each player to give their all in the remaining 35 minutes of play. That is exactly what they did and although there was another clash of bodies when the hard working Vanessa Law’s took a nasty tumble and blow to the head after a collision with an opposing player and had to leave the pitch to recover for a short while, the Red and Blacks continued to play well. Charlotte and Lynne nearly managed to open from close in, whilst player of the match Wendy Baker drove the game forward, with Kirsty Hull controlling things at the back. An equaliser eventually came when Charlotte tapped in a flowing move from the back, through the midfield and into the circle. Not surprisingly OU’s rallied, but the superior fitness and teamwork of AHC started to show through and with five minutes left, a curling shot from Ella went up from an OU’s stick and Charlotte was on hand to tap the rising shot into the net to make it 2-1 to the Red and Blacks. The game was not over though as OU’s drove forward for the equaliser, but AHC stood firm to gain the vital three points and move off the bottom of the Division. A good game which despite the pressure on both sides, was played in an excellent spirit and was very well umpired. Thanks to all our supporters, including injured forward Gillian Clegg for taking charge of the substitutions. Thanks are especially due to Tracy Holland for stepping down from playing and captaining the side to umpire for the 3’s and ensuring that we didn’t have a point deducted.
Ashford 3's played PHC Chiswick at home on 14th March, in what they didn't know was to be their last game of the season. Riding high on their well-deserved win the previous week, the team faced the highly ranked Chiswick side with guts and determination, and despite two great goals scored by Kitty Langdon and Nicky Davis, were beaten 6 - 2.
Player of the match was Kirsty Hull
Over the season, an amazing 41 ladies have played for the 3's and weekly man of the match votes were won by 12 different players! 20 goals were scored overall, the top scorers being Gill Clegg, Vanessa Law and Charlotte McLelland. Unfortunately, the league standings for next season have not yet been published, so fingers crossed for the ladies 3's.
