As the heat of 24 °C powered down onto the Ashford Hockey Club Astroturf, Burnt Ash got ready to play (and hopefully win) the game that they knew would be tough.
The game begins with Ashford starting at the centre spot, quickly and easily getting into the game. Having had the majority of possession they forced us to be on the back foot a lot. As expected by very high quality and positive, possessive play Ashford scored a first goal; though this did not demoralise us in the slightest. The score was now 1-0 to Ashford.

We then quickly took the centre spot and managed to regain a lot of the lost possession with our passes being quicker and far more accurate. This drove us up the pitch allowing pressure to be put on the Ashford defence. Daniel Talbot then drove through the defence skilfully and found himself in the ‘D’ and then slotted the ball pass the worried goalkeeper changing the score to 1-1. This goal uplifted our spirits and hopes meaning that we tackled, passed and shot better. These improvements had a major effect on the game and the scoreline seeing that Oliver Greenwood then sprinted up the line and cut into a dangerous position in the ‘D’, tricking the defenders. He then simply pushed the ball past the goalkeeper changing the score to 1-2 to Burnt Ash. This victory was short lived because the disappointed but determined Ashford managed to recreate the first goal’s tactic and slapped the ball past the unlucky goalkeeper (Callum Murphy). 2-2 was now the score.

Only a couple of minutes passed before Oliver for Burnt Ash managed to score a difficulty angled shot after centre back Bruno Di Castri hit the ball to Finley Jones as the left midfielder who then made a skill run down the left wing and then quickly gave it to Oliver who rapidly ran straight towards the goal and (after doing this in training fifteen minutes earlier) hit the ball while at the edge of the ‘D’ and even though the goalkeeper managed to stop the goal Oliver sped to follow and score the rebound, which he did without a problem. 3-2 was the score with about ten minutes to go of the first half, meaning that Burnt Ash were now in front again. Oliver later managed to score a similar goal but Finley’s role was now acted by Daniel who obviously passed it on to Oliver after a pass from Ata Suleyman. Oliver then scored his third goal and celebrated his hat trick. This changed the score to 4-2 (a safe lead). Slyly Andrew Copp dribbled with the ball past two defenders before passing a perfect ball that stood in front of Josh Henderson who unfortunately hit the ball too high but only a small distance from the crossbar. Incredibly Oliver was not finished yet. Tom Spooner managed to penetrate the Ashford defence allowing Oliver to take the ball and turn before sprinting into the box and slapping it wide past the goalie and into the goal with finesse. 5-2 was now the score and we felt incredibly comfortable with a three goal lead. Half time came shortly after the fifth goal for Burnt Ash.

The second half started and Burnt Ash looked for a quick goal to certify the win. Strangely this backfired and Ashford managed to score three goals (a short corner, an own goal and a shot which was sent into the throat of the Burnt Ash goal with an amazing shot from the Kent forward for Ashford). Our heads started to lower as the sun increased our body heat and tiredness. Ashford began their attack after a few poor passes from Burnt Ash but luckily did not managed to score and once again take the lead. Instead Diaco Abrishami (who was playing right centre back) hit it firmly but accurately towards Thomas Copp, who then sent it to Finlay, who then passed it to Oliver who sped straight down the line on the counter attack and then reached a point on the right wing where he could see a possible pass to Thomas Spooner who took his time to place the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the Ashford goal. The score was 5-6 to Burnt Ash. The final minutes were scary for us with Ashford having a short corner where a shot was taken by the previous goal scorer but blocked by Bruno, Burnt Ash won the game. The game ended with the players shaking hands and Burnt Ash strolling on triumphant.

by Bruno di Castri