Wise words make all the difference

Ashford men’s 1sts delivered on Riki Johnston’s teamtalk in their game against Bexleyheath & Belvedere on Saturday.

“We will make these guys grateful for not having to play us again this season,” said Johnston, whose side duly won 6-2.

Johnston opened the scoring at the back post and Will Elgar fired through the keeper’s legs for a 2-0 advantage.

Oli Kent made up for his late arrival by adding the third, then the goal of the day followed with Johnston darting along the baseline and setting up Luke Wicken. Jack Manning-Press and Kent, who also missed a penalty flick, rounded off the scoring.

Ashford ladies’ 1sts drew 1-1 at Blackheath & Elthamians. The visitors’ high-intensity hockey paid off when Amy Thomas swept in the opening goal from a short corner.

The defence held off many attacks in the second half but Blackheath equalised from their own short corner. Rebecca Reynolds was named player-of-the-match. Ashford ladies’ 2nds came from two goals down to draw their top-of-the-table clash with Sevenoaks. Player-of-the-match Kim Cameron launched the fightback with an angled shot late in the second half. Ashford continued to battle and levelled when Emma Baines’ through-ball was smashed in by Cameron for a deserved draw.

The men’s 3rds overcame Holcombe’s attempts to put them out of their stride, beating them 5-1.

Adam Fox and Michael Taylor finished well-worked moves before Holcombe replied against the run of play.

Ben Houston struck either side of half-time, with Fox’s second completing the scoring.

A dominant performance saw Ashford ladies’ 3rds win 3-0 at Dartford.

Caroline Lawton’s cross was met by Matilda Owen for a half-time lead.

Ellie Jones’ run and cross from the halfway line was turned in by a Dartford defender and Jones was involved again as Linda Charlton added the third. Ashford Crusaders beat fellow high-fliers Holcombe Hurricanes 4-1.

The Crusaders weathered an early storm before taking charge with some of their best hockey of the season.