HOCKEY: ASHFORD GIVE BALL AWAY TOO EASILY AND SUFFER CONSEQUENCES

Ashford men’s 1sts are being drawn into a relegation battle in Kent/Sussex Regional 1.

On Saturday in a home game they really needed a win, they were beaten 4-3 by South Saxons.

Nerves were on show as Ashford started poorly, with a speculative push across goal taking a touch to be turned in by home keeper Rob Allan.

Ashford responded well and Andy Hill levelled within minutes, tucking away a rebounding Rob Playford shot.

However, the home side failed to cope with the energy and unorthodox style of the visitors and despite good possession, surrendered the ball cheaply for a breakaway goal to fall behind again.

Ashford began to enjoy better possession, exploiting the visitors’ half-court press to find space, resulting in a second goal for Hill before half-time.

After the break, a contentious hit into the home circle took an unlucky touch from Chris Smith on to an attacker’s stick to deflect into the goal. Despite protestations, the goal stood and Ashford were forced to chase the game harder.

The visitors forced a sprawling reverse stick save from Allan, and Ashford continued to squander possession, inviting further pressure to result in a fourth goal.

In a tense finish, Ashford pulled one back as Tom Lightfoot provided for Hill to claim his third, but tempers began to fray and following a strong challenge on Allan, a visiting player was shown a red card for violent conduct. With Saxons reduced to 10, Ashford rolled the dice and took their keeper off, choosing to play with 11 outfield players, but could not capitalise on the numerical advantage in the closing minutes.

Ashford 2nds suffered a jolt in their promotion campaign, losing 4-3 to Herne Bay.

The home side started the better and were rewarded with two goals in quick succession.

Strong work from the defensive unit of Ben Dawson, Toby Body, Alex Deacon and Piers Anderson stopped Ashford from falling further behind. Against the run of play, Ashford pulled a goal back before half-time.

After the break, Ashford drew level when Piers Anderson rifled home a reverse stick shot and even took the lead when Adam Fox managed to bundle another short corner. Ashford by this point were reduced to 10 men as captain Dawson limped off injured.

They allowed Bay to draw level and squandered chances before letting the home side in for the winner.

Ashford 3rds were denied all three points as Folkestone 3rds scored a controversial equaliser to make the final score 4-4.

Folkestone who started the better and took the lead within the first minute. Ashford soon equalised through Adam Mott and then took the lead when Alex Roach found Matt Carter, who scored with a reverse flick.

Folkestone equalised just before half-time, but at the start of the second period Ashford took the lead again when Dylan Page deflected in Carter’s strike.

Folkestone again equalised but with 12 minutes left Callum Warner put the visitors ahead again when he ran from the halfway line, beating three Folkestone players and flicking home.

With a minute left Folkestone were awarded a controversial short corner which they put away.

Ashford 4ths maintained their winning run with a 7-3 victory against Burnt Ash in Kent Open Premier B.

First-half goals from Gary Maylan, Matt Clifford, Dave Finch, John Browning and Marsh put Ashford in control. Maylan and Clifford added further goals in the second half.

Ashford Crusaders lost 4-2 at home to Blackheath Highwaymen in the Kent Open Division 2.

Despite starting strongly, Ashford fell behind after 10 minutes.

The hosts equalised through a Chris Foley penalty stroke and five minutes later took the lead when Joshua Baird tapped in.

On the half-hour mark Blackheath equalised to make it 2-2 at half-time.

Blackheath punished Ashford late on with a neat individual goal to make it 3-2 and confirmed their win with a powerful drive from a short corner.