Burnt Ash 3 v 8 Eastbourne

South Hockey League

IT MAY have been a good advertisement for open play but it was a lesson to the home side, writes David Ovenell.

Ash, having lost three key players prior to the game, struggled to find any form as Eastbourne went for the jugular.

The hosts were four down in 20 minutes before deciding to come to the party.

They pulled three goals back by half-time with good movement from Flannery and Waite.

They were right back in the game pinning their opponents down and it looked as if a turn around was possible.

Unfortunately the half-time break came at the wrong time and from the start of the second half Eastbourne scored five times to run out very worthy winners.

Burnt Ash Ladies 1 v 2 Brentwood

BURNT Ash Ladies lost to Brentwood despite having the better chances throughout the game.

Ash started poorly, allowing Brentwood to run the show, but midway through the first half Ash showed their determination with sustained pressure on the Brentwood goal.

Despite so much Ash pressure Brentwood managed to break clear and even with Ash defending in numbers they managed to squeeze in a goal.

The Ash domination eventually paid off with Hannah Smedley tipping the ball in from close range making the half-time score 1-1.

The second half produced more Ash pressure with plenty of opportunties to practice short corner routines.

Ash mixed-up the short corners well and were very unlucky not to score but some resolute defending, including a shot being swiped onto the cross-bar, and a man-of-the-match performance from the Brentwood keeper kept the scores even.

Towards the end of the game with Ash pushing forward more and more Brentwood created another break-away.

Ash yet again had defenders back in the D but were unable to clear and Brentwood scrambled in their second goal.