Kentish Express Ashford & District
Positive signs for league campaign
Hockey
Ashford’s men capped off a successful pre-season by overturning a half-time deficit to beat Burnt Ash 4-3 at Ball Lane on Saturday.
Both teams fielded full strength sides which contributed to a high paced and competitive affair.
Adam Fox’s early strike gave Ashford the lead only for Burnt Ash to punish a defensive error to equalise and the visitors then went ahead from a corner.
Ashford responded immediately through Robin Miller, who finished well but Burnt Ash ended the half strongly, scoring another breakaway goal to lead 3-2 at half-time.
Ashford dominated the second half with man-of-thematch Fox scoring twice more to complete a hat-trick and give Ashford the perfect preparation ahead of their opening league game at home to Folkestone 2nds in Kent/Sussex Regional 2 on Saturday.
Birthday boy Will Clayson was among the scorers as the 3rds wound up their pre-season programme with a 4-1 win over Folkestone 4ths.
Captain Matt Carter opened the scoring after the original pass had found its way into his path off the umpire’s ankle and it was not long before debutant Clayson made it 2-0 when he got onto the end of a pass from a converted penalty corner routine.
A defensive error led to a penalty corner which Folkestone drag flicked home to halve the deficit but Ashford replied from a corner of their
Folkestone Optimist 3rds v Folkestone Optimist 4ths, New Beccehamian 2nds v Ashford 3rds, Sutton Valence 2nds v Sevenoaks 5ths, Sevenoaks 4ths v Gravesham & Wellcome, Gillingham Anchorians 2nds v Herne Bay 2nds, University of Kent 2nds v Marden Russets 2nds.
Sutton Valence 3s v own, Tom Howell volleying home after Joe Elgar’s effort had been blocked
Elgar impressed but was denied the goal his performance deserved when the home keeper produced low, flying save in the second half. Ashford though did strike again with Carter netting his second.
The 3rds start their Kent Open Premier A campaign away to New Beccehamian 2nd on Saturday.
Ashford ladies lost 4-1 after falling behind inside two minutes of their opening East League Division 2 SE match at home to Basildon on Saturday.
The hosts were caught off guard by Basildon’s counter but Ashford were determined not to let this dampen their spirits and fought back well.
Annie White went close to equalising from a short corner but again Basildon swept upfield where an unmarked player slotted the ball past Ashford’s Mollie Smith.
Ashford struggled to keep
Ashford v Folkestone 2nds, Canterbury Pilgrims 3rds v Holcombe 3rds, Crawley v BBHC, Kings & Alleyns v Old Williamsonians, South Saxons v Horsham 2nds, Southwick v Marden Russets.
BBHC 2nds v Blackheath & Elthamians 3rds, Canterbury 5ths v Canterbury Millers 6th, Deal v Holcombe 5ths, Gore Court 3rds v Gore Court 2nds, Old Williamsonians 2nds v Bromley & Beckenham 5ths, Tunbridge Wells 2nds v Ashford 2nds. Ashford ladies’ 3rds lost 2-0 in Kent 2 to Tunbridge Wells, experienced opposition who had come down from the division above. Wells were a well-drilled team, used to playing together but plusses for Ashford included a confident display by keeper Katie McDonnell, who made Canterbury Griffins, Sevenoaks 7s v Sevenoaks Acorns, Herne Bay 3s v Burnt Ash 5s, Holcombe 4As v Tunbridge Wells 4s, Ashford 4ths v Deal 2s, Maidstone 3s v Cliftonville 2nd XI. Ashford 1 Basildon 4, Gore Court 0 Redbridge & Ilford 1, Canterbury 2nds A 5 Havering 0, Sevenoaks 3rds 2 Tunbridge Wells 2nds 1, Brentwood 0 Southend & Benfleet 1, Brom & Becks 2nds 0 Waltham Forest 0.
Ashford 2nds 3 Herne Bay 3, Gravesend 0 Sevenoaks 5ths 4, Kings Alleyns 2nds 2 Blackheath & Elthamians 2nds 2, Burnt Ash (Bexley) 2nds 0 Meopham 0, Sevenoaks Acorns 6 Gillingham Anchorians 2.
Deal 0 Burnt Ash (Bexley) 3rds 2, Edenbridge 3 Bexleyheath & Belvedere 2nds 0, New Beccehamian 18 Cliftonville 2nds 0, Tunbridge possession which led to a third goal for the visitors but the home side emerged for the second half looking more determined.
Left defence Jess Buchanan began to make it harder for Basildon to get into the D and Ashford almost pulled a goal back when Kate Tilby fired the ball into the D and Emily Jakeman’s deflection was kept out.
Ashford finally earned some reward when Kim Cameron found Annie White who reverse flicked the ball into the goal but their joy was shortlived as Basildon’s centre forward pounced for their fourth.
Ashford visit Redbridge & Ilford on Saturday. A last-gasp equaliser meant Ashford 2nds had to settle for a 3-3 draw in Women’s Kent League, Division 1 against Herne Bay.
Ashford were pleased to welcome back Charlotte Friend Jenner and Jo Thompson, both of whom produced faultless performances while Becky Hover was outstanding in her new role. Laura Brightling scored twice with Emma Bains netting the other. some excellent saves. Amelia Lall had endless energy in dropping back and driving the ball forward at speed, while Nikki Timms was calm and solid in defence. Player-of-the-match, though, was Amelia Wright who played with confidence and skill. Basildon v Brom & Becks 2nds, Redbridge & Ilford v Ashford, Havering v Gore Court, Tunbridge Wells 2nds v Canterbury 2nds A, Southend & Benfleet v Sevenoaks 3rds, Waltham Forest v Brentwood.
Meopham v Bromley and Beckenham 4ths, Sevenoaks 5ths v Gillingham Anchorians, Kings Alleyns 2nds v Sevenoaks Acorns, Herne Bay v Burnt Ash (Bexley) 2nds, Gravesend v Ashford 2nds, Holcombe 2nds v Blackheath & Elthamians 2nds.
Ashford 3rds v Edenbridge, Cliftonville 2nds v Holcombe 3rds, Dartford v Deal, Burnt Ash (Bexley) 3rds v Tunbridge Wells 3rds, Old Williamsonians 2nds v New Beccehamian, Canterbury 3rds A v Bexleyheath & Belvedere 2nds.