England Hockey National League Conference West.

Ashmoor Men's 1st XI. 4

Isca Men's 1st XI. 2

ASHMOOR showed why they are undefeated at home with a dynamic and dominant performance in the local derby against Isca.

Fielding a much-strengthened side, Ashmoor took the game to the Exeter-based side from the first whistle. Early work from Theo Bennett, who this week discovered he had gained selection for England Under 16s, and Ben Barnett, was a wake-up call for Isca.

They responded but Ashmoor went back on the offensive, forcing Isca into errors. Rich Fisher stole the ball from a defender and fed Fletch Naisbett-Jones who couldn't quite get his shot away cleanly after beating a player. Minutes later, it was Fisher who had another goal-bound shot saved.

It was no surprise when Ashmoor took the lead. Great work from Rich Ashworth meant the ball fell to Tancock who buried it from close range. Ashmoor's attacking was relentless and a quality move involving Ben Andrew and Sam Wakeham found Sol Bloomfield who had a double shot saved by the Isca keeper.

Buoyed on by a big crowd, Ashmoor were unrelenting after the break. Bennett won a penalty corner with some super skills, which Bishop almost scored from.

Although it was a relatively quiet day for Walton in Ashmoor's goal, he had to pull off an outstanding save after Isca had an attempt of their own from a swift counterattack.

Ashmoor did not let up, and right at the start of the final quarter, the lively Walker stole the ball in the middle of the pitch. Minutes later it was 2-0 - Theo Bennett scoring on the back post after great work from Dinnie set up Ashworth in front of goal. His shot was half saved but fell straight to Bennett who was not going to let the opportunity of his first National League goal pass!

A short time after it was 3-0. Lewie Jones nearly lobbed the keeper, but his parried shot looped to Walker who smashed it in the goal past the hapless Isca covering defender.

Ashmoor were still celebrating when they failed to defend the right flank from the restart, and Isca forced a penalty corner from one of their few forrays forward. Wakeham saved well on the line from the drag flick, but the ball fell nicely for the Isca rebound to make it 3-1.

As the game neared its conclusion, there was yet more drama. Isca smashed a hopeful ball into Ashmoor's D, and it was adjudged to have hit a foot. Ex-Ashmoor junior product Jon Wright finally scored from a penalty corner to make it 3-2.

However, Isca's joy was short-lived as Ashmoor once again took control. Jack Dinnie found space on the left and with a calm head he laid it on a plate for Rich Ashworth to power home to make the final score 4-2 to Ashmoor.

The win was just reward for Ashmoor’s work at both ends and moves them up to sixth in the table. Theo Bennett's week got even better, when he was selected as the Pallex Player of the Match.

Ashmoor Men's 1st team will now take an outdoor hockey break to concentrate on their Indoor Hockey game in the National League Super Sixes Division 1 campaign. The outdoor league then resumes in February.