England Hockey National League Conference West.

Chichester Men's 1st XI. 3

Ashmoor Men's 1st XI. 0

DESPITE some unavailability from the win over Bath the previous week, Ashmoor Men's 1st team still made the long trip to Chichester in a positive mood, handing debuts to promising twins Ed and Will Robinson who have been impressing recently in the unbeaten Men's 2nd team.

Sam Taylor, a product of Ashmoor's Junior Hockey programme, who is now in the GB & England squad, was also in attendance to support his original team.

Ashmoor began well and the new-look defence were solid and assured. A penalty corner was the only joy that Chichester had in the first quarter, and that was fired wide. At the other end, Ashmoor's midfield penetrated the opposition's shooting circle a number of times, but the forwards couldn't quite get on the end of crosses into the danger area.

Skipper Jamie Bishop fired in a shot at an attacking penalty corner but it was blocked by the runner. Rich Fisher had a chance from 10 yards but couldn't trouble the target, and in another good spell of play, Sol Bloomfield skilfully worked his way into a promising shooting position but couldn't dispatch a shot.

The teams turned around with honours even at halftime, although Ashmoor had had the better of the exchanges.

In the third quarter, things livened up. Chichester broke the deadlock when Ashmoor gave away a penalty corner. This was fired high and beat Paddy Walton in Ashmoor's goal. The away side bounced back from this setback and continued to move the ball well in the attacking half creating problems for Chichester's defence.

Bishop thought he'd equalised from a penalty corner but GK Chris Bristow launched himself full length to keep it out. Right on quarter-time, player-coach Jack Dinnie beat the keeper with a flick, but miraculously a defender batted it away from right under his crossbar.

Ashmoor were left to rue these near misses when Chichester added a second from a right-wing cross where the forward on the back post wasn't picked up. A soft penalty corner giveaway three minutes later meant the home side were flattered with a 3-0 scoreline.

Ashmoor still went on the offensive and Fisher might have scored from a consolation attacking penalty corner, but Ashmoor were penalized for an obstruction as the shot was made.

Jamie Bishop was selected as the Pallex Player of the Match, but there were creditable performances from the whole Ashmoor squad in a tough game against the third-placed team in the league.

This week, Ashmoor, who have a number of players returning, have a mouth-watering local Derby when they host Isca at their Totnes fortress on Sunday, aiming to maintain their 100% home record. The match starts at 1pm, and spectators are very welcome to come along at an event that is free to enter.

Also coming up on the weekend is a fascinating clash between the Ashmoor men’s 2nd team and Ashmoor men’s 3rd team, with the Ashmoor women’s 1st team hosting Dawlish 1st team too.

Pictured is Captain Jamie Bishop, who earned the Pallex Player of the Match award for his composed performance at Chichester. Photo courtesy of Mark Lockett Photography.