Kentish Express Ashford & District
Fightback not quite enough
Hockey
Ricky Johnston scored Ashford 1st Xl’s second-half goal in their 2-1 Kent/Sussex Regional 1 defeat at Crawley on Saturday.
The home side went in front from open play and doubled the lead before half-time from a rebound after a dragflick was saved.
Ashford improved in the second half, with the forwards pressing high and Will Elgar, Kiagh Bridges and Johnston dominating midfield..
They made the pressure count, Johnston pulling one back when he tapped in after a short corner was deflected across goal.
Ashford retained possession in the closing stages, playing some good hockey until the final third, before missing a late chance to salvage a point.
Stuart Wise grabbed the winner as the 2nds maintained their unbeaten Kent 1 record as they came from behind to beat Canterbury 2-1 at Ball Lane.
They went behind early on before Kevin Miller levelled things converting a well worked penalty corner.
Ashford 3rds conceded their Kent 2 game at Herne Bay, while the 4ths were 4-1 winners at home against Canterbury 5ths in Open Premier B.
The Crusaders went down 5-4 at home to Old Williamsonian 4ths in Division 2, while the 6ths lost 10-0 at Gravesend & Wellcome Unicorns.
Ashford Ladies lost 1-0 at home to Redbridge and Ilford in East Women’s League Division 2 South East.
They fell behind from open play before half-time, with Emma Baines, Kim Cameron and Liv Palmer all going close to equalise.
Ashford hit the crossbar and posts in the second half, but couldn’t make the most of plenty of opportunities with their impressive build-up going unrewarded.
New trio Taylor Wise, Laura Brightling and Abbey Bean featured for the 2nds in their 4-0 Division 1 defeat at Bromley and Beckenham.
The 3rds went down 4-1 at home to Edenbridge in Division 2.