ASHFORD MEN’S HOCKEY ROUND-UP: LEADERS TESTED

Ashford were unlucky to come away empty handed from Saturday’s game.

They were edged 2-1 by Gore Court, having lost 6-1 at the Kent-Sussex Regional 1 leaders earlier in the season.

Ashford head coach Diccon Stubbins changed Ashford’s tactics in order to contain Court talisman Aaron Glass.

Glass scored five times in the previous encounter, and Sam Hunt and Chris Smith were given the job of preventing opportunities for Court to win short corners and thus stopping Glass from executing his trademark drag flick.

The Sittingbourne side made the first breakthrough when a lapse in concentration allowed a Court player to drive along the baseline and finish in the bottom corner.

Ashford did not let their heads drop and pushed for an equaliser. This came on the 25 minute mark through the pace, trickery and cool finishing of youngster and debutant Frankie, who latched on to a through ball and finished at the second attempt.

Shortly before half-time Ashford had the ball in the net again this time via Andy Hill only to be denied by the umpire’s whistle. Ashford were awarded a short corner but didn’t convert and went into the break at 1-1.

The game was decided by some clever play around the edge of the D from a

Court striker who was allowed to dribble in and finish.

Ashford travel to third placed Old Williamsonians on Saturday.

Ashford 2nds claimed the notable scalp of previously unbeaten Kent Area Division 1 leaders Canterbury 3rds, running out 4-1 winners.

The visitors started aggressively, with the youthful midfield of Tom Clayson, Will Clayson and Tom Lightfoot forcing regular turnovers.

With Piers Anderson behind them the first 10 minutes was one way traffic as Ashford pinned Canterbury back.

However it was Canterbury who scored first, against the run of play.

Ashford’s response was immediate, Lightfoot pouncing on a rebound to level minutes later.

Just before the interval, Will Spain neatly found the net after a quick setpiece on the edge of the D for a 2-1 halftime lead.

In the second half, Aston Spinks turned provider for Spain’s second goal, and Spain beat three men and coolly slotted past the keeper for 4-1.

Ashford 3rds are back at the top of the Kent Open Premier Division A table, following their 7-1 win against Holcombe 4ths.

Matt Carter laid the ball off for Adam Mott to put Ashford ahead, Dylan Page swept the ball home to make it 2-0 and Mott then got his second when Alex Roach laid the ball off for him.

The last goal of the first half came when Jamie Horton, returning from injury, set up Roach at the back post.

Jamie Horton found Mike Wood who beat three men before he got into the circle and hit a rocket past the keeper.

It was 6-0 when Roach drove past his defender and found Carter at the top of the circle to score and the final goal came when Carter became provider for Roach. Holcombe scored a consolation in the second half.

Ashford 4ths’ winning run was ended by a 2-0 defeat at Old Williamsonians in Kent Open Premier B. Despite being the better team in the first half, Ashford were unable to convert pressure into goals. In the second half two fine breakaway individual goals by Old Wills’ young forwards secured the points.

Ashford Crusaders beat Burnt Ash 3-2 in the Kent Open Division 2. Andy Pitt scored the opener with a quick reflex shot and added a second soon after from a counter attack. Before half-time, Jonathon Mayes added the third from a well worked short corner. However, the Crusaders had an uncomfortable second half, with Burnt Ash scoring twice to set up a tight finish.