Ashmoor conquer a newly-promoted side

ASHMOOR men's 1st XI having taken top of the table Marlow close in their previous match, returned to National League action with a trip to face newly promoted Trojans at their Southampton base.

Ashmoor dealt well with the absence of Sol Bloomfield, Euan Jones, Lewis Hammett & Cullen Turner, and the enforced late withdrawal of Rich Fisher and Theo Bennett, to maintain their unbeaten away record.

Starting superbly by playing the ball around with pace and purpose, they unlocked the Trojans defence in the first few minutes with youngster Spencer Baxter looking odds on to score until he was unceremoniously taken out right on the edge of the shooting area.

Although Ashmoor felt aggrieved not to have been awarded a penalty stroke, Sam Wakeham scored from the penalty corner and Ashmoor had the lead.

Ashmoor continued to link up well, but a turnover of possession led to a shooting chance for the lively Trojans centre forward and he won a penalty corner which was dispatched for 1-1.

Early in the second quarter, Tom Barnett who had an excellent match in midfield got in round the back on the right-hand side, and his layback to Fletch Naisbett-Jones was exquisitely finished by the Ashmoor striker to give Ashmoor the lead again. Jack Dinnie blocked a second Trojans penalty corner to keep the score at 2-1 at the break.

After halftime, Ashmoor increased their lead further. Barnett held off a rough challenge and managed to play in Baxter to score with finesse from Barnett's second assist of the match.

The England Under 16 youngster was rewarded for his effort with his fourth goal of the season. Ashmoor had to defend three more penalty corners, Dinnie doing a great job on the first two but Trojans eventually found a way through to make it 3-2 going into the final quarter.

Early in the period, George Galbraith found Will Maynard in a forward position on the right. He was stick tackled and Ashmoor's skipper Jamie Bishop roofed his drag flick from the resulting penalty corner and the away side were 4-2 up.

Ashmoor still had to defend more Trojans penalty corners but dealt resolutely with them all.

The Pallex Player of the Match award went to defender Nathan Palmer who had an assured game at the heart of Ashmoor's defence.

Ashmoor return to their Totnes base this Sunday when they host the University of Exeter. It’s a 2pm start for the National League West Conference match, and is free to see, with all supporters welcome.

In the club's other matches Ashmoor Women's 1st XI gained their second win of the season with a strong performance in a 5-2 victory over Dart Women's 2nd XI.

Ashmoor took the lead through Tilly McEwen with the only goal of the first half. After the interval, Ashmoor stepped it up with goals from Emma Fisher, Amy Pilsbury, and youngsters Ella Hubert and Mary Moore. The Ashmoor ladies 1s player of the match was shared jointly between Emily Hunter and Lotte Fincken.

Ashmoor men's 2nd XI produced their first victory of the season after a tough start to their campaign. Against a lively University of Exeter team Ashmoor took the lead through new signing Ben Handley with a neat finish.

The squad, a mix of youth and experience, had the better of the exchanges and Lewis Hammett made it 2-0. The University side pulled one back, but Captain Reuben Stanley restored Ashmoor's two-goal cushion with a devastating penalty stroke. Player of the match for Ashmoor was Gareth Despres.

Ashmoor men's 3rd team made it five from five and kept yet another clean sheet in their 4-0 win over Plymouth University Men's 2nd XI.

Wes Flippance opened the scoring from a penalty stroke, and then Theo Edmeades found his skipper on the back post and John Lilley doubled his team's lead.

Just before halftime it was three, Flippance the first to react from a penalty corner rebound for his second of the game.

After the interval, it was more even with player of the match James Pearse rounding off the 4-0 win with a fine penalty corner strike. With a 100% record, the men's 3rd XI are still joint top of Riviera League Division 2.

The 4th team's returned to action in Riviera Division 3 with a home match against Torbay Men's 3rd XI. It was an even encounter played in great spirit. Ashmoor eventually broke the deadlock in the second half when captain James Bromfield deflected home after great work by Player of the Match Ricky Easthope on the right-hand side.

Alex Southgate added a second just before the end to make it 2-0 to Ashmoor.

This Saturday, the Ashmoor men's 2nd team have a home match against Falmouth 1st XI.

The men's 3rd XI travel to play Isca, whilst the men's 4th XI have a bye weekend. The Ashmoor women's 1st team host Devonport Services, and the women's 2nd XI have a home game against Plymouth Lions.