Kentish Express Ashford & District
Playford’s hat-trick a strong response
Men’s hockey
Ashford defeated Maidstone 4-2 to ensure they stayed clear of the bottom three in Kent/Sussex Regional 1.
Saturday’s game started well for Ashford who looked dangerous and kept the ball better than in previous weeks, the returning Chris Smith demonstrating his usual passing ability.
However it was Maidstone who struck first, on the counter attack.
The Ashford response was emphatic, Rob Playford scoring twice in quick succession – from open play and a penalty corner.
The hosts carried on in the same vein in the second half and went ahead when a move involving Tom Lightfoot and Playford ended up with the latter smashing into the corner for 3-1 and his hat-trick.
Oli Kent added a fourth goal, burying a low drag flick.
Maidstone came into the game more at this point, scoring a second goal. Ashford 2nds were brought back down to earth with a bump, when, following two big wins in a row in Kent Area Division 1, they lost 2-0 to Canterbury 4ths.
The home side slowly turned the screw and eventually found their way past keeper and man-of-thematch Rob Allen.
Ashford upped their game the second half and were unlucky in front of goal with efforts from Will Spain and Matt Cooper going wide.
A second Canterbury goal secured the win for the hosts.
Ashford 3rds went top of the Kent Open Premier Division on goal difference from Tunbridge Wells with a 5-2 win against Burnt Ash.
The hosts took a 1-0 lead into the second half, youngster Dylan Page smashing the ball home.
Ashford doubled their lead after the break when Matt Goodwin dispatched a penalty flick after a Frankie Andrew deflection had hit a defender’s foot on the line.
Andrew then set up Matt Carter for Ashford’s third and it was 4-1 when Alex Roach carved out a goal for Andrew.
Ash pulled a goal back through a penalty flick, but Andrew scored again to restore the three-goal cushion.
Burnt Ash were awarded another penalty flick in the closing minutes, but keeper Ethan Pierce saved.
Ashford 4ths drew 1-1 Canterbury Griffins in Kent Open Premier B.
Griifins took the lead early on and this seemed to kick start Ashford, who proceeded to create a number of good chances before half-time.
Sam Stevens excelled on the right and was only denied by an outstanding save by the keeper.
The second half continued with
Ashford creating the best chances.
They were finally rewarded when Simon Wood stepped up to bury a rebound.
Ashford Crusaders lost 5-0 to Bexleyheath & Belvedere in the Kent Open Division 2.
Ashford dominated the first half but couldn’t find a goal to show for it.
Against t he run of play, Bexleyheath took the lead. A long pass cut through the Ashford defence and an on-rushing Bexleyheath player met the ball and guided it in.
Bexleyheath doubled their lead via a well worked short corner and added a third soon after. A fourth and fifth were scored late on to.
Ashford 6ths responded after going 2-0 down to New Beccehamian 3rds with an early goal in the second half.
The hosts restored their two-goal advantage but Ashford again rose to the challenge and scored a well worked second goal for a final score of 3-2.