ENGLAND HOCKEY NATIONAL LEAGUE CONFERENCE WEST

Guildford Men's 1st XI 1 Ashmoor Men’s 1st XI 0

AFTER a result that didn't reflect Ashmoor's efforts in their opening National League fixture, the Men's 1st team were determined to bounce back against early table toppers Guildford.

They weren't daunted by a second away trip, but travelled without player-coach Jack Dinnie, defender Cullen Turner and Ben Andrew. However, Ashmoor welcomed back the skills of Fletch Naisbett-Jones, and 14-year-old Tom Barnett stepped up to make his EHL debut!

Ashmoor looked much more assured from the first whistle and with England U16 player Ben Barnett alongside the experienced Lewis Hammett, the defence dealt well with some early Guildford pressure. A single penalty corner in the opening quarter was confidently saved by Paddy Walton.

Ashmoor's team defence was very effective and they looked good when they passed the ball out of defence, utilising wide players Sam Wakeham, Reuben Stanley and Will Maynard. Ashmoor's midfield were calm and assured, with a mixture of good skills and resolute competitiveness shown by skipper Jamie Bishop, Ben Tancock, Lewie Jones and youngster Theo Bennett. At half time honours were even with the teams tied at 0-0.

Sensing a really valuable point was achievable, the visitors defended well after the interval, coping with everything Guildford threw at them. Three penalty corners were kept out through a mixture of quality saves by Walton, Bishop saving on the line and Tancock's left knee!

Ashmoor's best move of the match came when Barnett senior carried strongly out of defence. He linked up with Sol Bloomfield who found Matt Pearce in a crucial area right in the opposition's shooting area. Unfortunately for Ashmoor the normally reliable striker just couldn't control it and Guildford breathed a sigh of relief.

In the last quarter, it was end-to-end stuff but with a lot of sustained action in Ashmoor's half. Eventually, a penalty corner was awarded with a little over ten minutes left on the clock. Ashmoor blocked the first effort, but from the re-award, Guildford managed to find the net despite a sterling effort from Wakeham to keep out the powerful drag flick.

At 1-0 down Ashmoor went all out for an equaliser but their efforts were curtailed by a couple of green cards for overzealous play as the clock ran down.

There were great performances from the whole Ashmoor squad, and it was gutting not to come away with anything to show for their outstanding efforts. Player of the Match for Ashmoor was keeper Paddy Walton after an almost unbeatable performance in goal.

This Sunday Ashmoor host their first home match when they welcome Clifton Robinson to their Totnes pitch. They welcome representatives from new sponsor Pallex South West to the game, with the inaugural "Pallex Player of the Match" Award being presented after the game.