England Hockey National League Conference West

Ashmoor Men's 1st XI. 2

Team Bath Buccaneers Men's 2nd XI. 1

ASHMOOR Men’s 1st XI welcomed Team Bath Buccs to the Totnes fortress on Sunday hoping to maintain their 100% home record against a team who were promoted as West Regional League winners last season.

After one unsuccessful penalty corner, Ashmoor led through a second, the lively Rich Ashworth converting from Jack Dinnie’s cross.

The second quarter was a more even affair and Paddy Walton in Ashmoor's goal, yet to concede a goal in a home game, was called into action and tidied up some messy defending.

At halftime Ashmoor reset and started the third quarter superbly. Fletch Naisbett-Jones went close for the hosts and was closely followed by Pallex Player of the Match Ben Tancock, but neither could convert.

Ashmoor felt a little aggrieved at not increasing their lead despite being the better team, as midway through the quarter Bath, levelled the game. It seemed the ball had risen through a mishit backstick pass but the call was play-on, and the visitors then scored from their only penalty corner of the match.

It required a strong and disciplined team performance in the final quarter for Ashmoor to go back ahead and that is exactly what they produced.

The passing and movement throughout midfield was relentless and eventually their superiority told. A lovely team move found Brownlow in on goal, and his unselfish offload to Joe Forey led to the striker being fouled in a desperate effort for the Bath defence to prevent a goal. Fisher converted the resulting penalty stroke before seeing out the victory.

Player-Coach Dinnie was delighted not only with the three points but also with the quality of the whole squad's performance. The win moves Ashmoor up to sixth in the table, just two points behind third-placed Chichester, who the team travel to face this weekend.

Photo courtesy of Mark Lockett.