Defence holds up against fellow strugglers

Ashford ladies battled to a goalless draw at home to fellow strugglers Tunbridge Wells 2nds in East Women’s League Division 2 South on Saturday.

Although Ashford failed to convert some good chances, they were pleased to have produced a stronger team performance than in previous weeks.

The 2nds were without a match but the 3rds reinforced their position at the top of Kent Division 2 with a 4-0 win over King’s & Alleyn’s.

Ashford were hosts to an England LX (over-60s) team for their 18th annual memorial day fixture on Sunday.

Before the match, a presentation was made by Brian Cumming, representing the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAMB), who have donated an external cabinet to accommodate a defibrillator that has been bought with funds raised as a tribute to former player Harry Pickering.

His widow Karen was there to hand over more donations to SECAMB to help towards training of first responders for which Paul Boxall has already volunteered.

The LX game featured no less than 10 players who were over 70 years and two, Gerald Wilkinson and Ashford’s own veteran, Keith Hedley, will be 80 later this month.

A presentation was also made to Gurney White who has achieved the remarkable landmark of playing in his 60th consecutive season for Ashford.