Ashmoor men's 1st XI rally to win a thriller

ASHMOOR men's 1st XI played out another thrilling game for the neutral spectators in their home match at Totnes against an unbeaten and competitive Fareham team.

Captain Jamie Bishop returned to National League action after injury and duly opened the scoring for Ashmoor within two minutes from a set-piece penalty corner. Defender Jack Wetherell got forward well to earn the chance with good skills down the left-hand side.

Ashmoor's good start was maintained for the remainder of the first quarter, although Rich Ashworth and the Ashmoor defence had to hold firm when Fareham had three penalty corners in a row midway through the quarter.

Rich Fisher was unlucky not to add to the scoreline when he rolled the defender and unleashed a drag - there was a suspicion of a defensive foul but it went unpunished.

Early in the second quarter, Wetherell found Ashworth in space but his shot was saved by the excellent Fareham keeper. A golden chance for 2-0 was created when England U18 triallist Tom Barnett produced a great run, his pull back was met first time by Fletch Naisbett-Jones but sailed just wide.

Minutes later, Ashmoor were made to pay when a fast attack by the away side led to a close-range goal. Ashmoor pressed well to try to regain the initiative, and when Jack Dinnie stole the ball he found Cathan Wherry, who in turn set up Naisbett-Jones. The shot was on target this time but was well saved, and the teams turned round at halftime at 1-1.

Ashmoor needed a concerted second half after Fareham took the lead from a penalty corner. Youngster Spencer Baxter pulled Ashmoor level with a confident finish after great work by George Galbraith with the assist.

Into the final quarter, Ashmoor were still looking for more than just a draw. A few good passes into the danger area came and went with no final goalwards touch applied. But it was the home side whose perseverance gave them the lead.

Baxter challenged the goalkeeper to a 50:50 ball, and when it spilled out to Euan Jones, he finished calmly to give Ashmoor a 3-2 lead.

Minutes later, the best move of the game led to the goal of the match. Dinnie played in Barnett driving forward, and his pin-point pass picked out Naisbett-Jones whose sublime finish gave the quality keeper no chance.

With time almost called Fareham had a last penalty corner success, but it was too little, too late and Ashmoor claimed their first win of the season, moving them up to sixth in the table.

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

This Sunday, Ashmoor men's 1st team are away at Team Bath Buccs in the National League West Conference.

In other matches, Ashmoor women's 1st XI had a good 3-0 win at Teign. Steph Hildreth led the way with two goals, with Emma Fisher getting the other.

Unfortunately, the women's 2nd XI's game at Plymouth didn’t go ahead after the home side couldn’t raise a team, but Erin Beswick stepped up to the 1sts and earned the Player of the Match award.

Ashmoor men's 2nd XI weremissing a few players and had a tough game on the road at Truro. The whole XI acquitted themselves well for the full 70 minutes though, especially the young players, in a 6-0 loss.

The men’s 3rd XI won another tight match by a 1-0 scoreline, this time against Torbay 2nds. Nick Edmeades grabbed the only goal of the game, and with it the Player of the Match award too. In the 4th team's first home match, captain James Bromfield was pleased with his side's 2-0 victory. Theo Edmeades opened the scoring before Alex Southgate added a second.

This Saturday, the men's 2nd team are at home to Torbay 1sts, whilst the 3rd XI look to maintain their 100% record at Isca. The 4th XIs host Ocean City.

The Ashmoor women's 1st team have an 11am start at Kingsbridge & Salcombe, whilst the 2nd team have a home tie, also against Ocean City.