Kentish Express Ashford & District
Youngsters hit six to seal title
Ashford boys’ under-14s took on Sevenoaks knowing a win would seal the Mercian Challenge East title – so they made certain with a 6-0 success.
The game started as a cagey affair, until Joshua Baird opened the scoring midway through the first half with a well-taken strike.
Leo Gabrielli made some topclass saves towards the end of the half but after the turnaround the action was all at the opposite end, Ashford playing their best hockey of the year.
Player-of-the-season James Logan helped a dominant midfield win turnover after turnover, while there were plenty of chances to be found down the right wing.
Goals followed from leading scorer Freddie Acott (2) – one a reverse stick shot from the top of the circle – and Luke Prior (2).
Baird rounded off the scoring to complete a brilliant performance by the team, and ensure Ashford remained above Surbiton in the league to take the championship.
Captain Charlie Wood said: “I’m really proud of what this team have achieved in our first year of the Mercian competition. The team have been fully committed to playing attacking hockey, and we have been rewarded.”
More than 150 of Ashford’s juniors celebrated another campaign with their end-of-season awards on Sunday.
Held after the juniors’ final training session of 2018/19, awards for player-of-the-season and most improved player were handed out in age groups from under-8 to under-16.
Winners: Unders-8s: Player-ofthe-Season: Tallolah O’Neill; Most Improved: Isla Cameron. Under-10 Girls: Player-of-theSeason: Molly Kershaw; Most Improved: Holly Robinson. Under-10 Boys: Player-of-theSeason: Bertie Cochrane; Most Improved: Joseph Silver. Under-12 Girls: Player-of-theSeason: Aoife Boyd; Most Improved: Katie Hellyar. Under-12 Boys: Player-ofthe-Season: Oliver Gee; Most Improved: Daniel Gosling. Under-14 Girls: Player-of-theSeason: Emma Bozeat; Most Improved: Izzy Fryer.
Under-14 Boys: Player-of-theSeason: James Logan; Most Improved: Jude Smythe. Under-16 Girls: Player-of-theSeason: Amelia Wright; Most Improved: Orissa Mobbs.