Saturday 6th February 2010

Aylesbury's Ladies teams had a fantastic weekend with all four teams winning.

Ladies 1sts

Amersham & Chalfont 2ns XI: 0 - Aylesbury 1st XI: 4

Second from top Aylesbury were away to second from bottom local rivals this week knowing that a win could put them 9 points clear of their next nearest rivals in the division. The first 10 minutes of the game were very scrappy for Aylesbury with the home team pinning them back in their own 25 yard area on a regular basis, fortunately without success on the goal.

Aylesbury then managed to break clear, taking the opposition by surprise, and Charlie Smith slotted home the first goal through the keeper's legs. After this, Aylesbury settled into their own rhythm and took charge of the game. The second goal came from Aylesbury's first short corner when Tash James struck the ball sweetly from the top of the D into corner of the goal to give Aylesbury a 2-nil lead into half time.

The second half got off to the best possible start for Aylesbury when Maz Hassell set Tash James up for her second goal after less than 2 minutes. Aylesbury continued to dominate and, whilst Amersham had their chances, the Aylesbury defence and keeper Becky Kiely stayed strong and kept a clean sheet. Towards the end of the second half the icing on the cake came when Lucy Drane swept the ball in from wide on the left wing for Tash James to complete her hat trick.

Ladies 2nd XI

Aylesbury 2nd XI:3 - Harpenden: 1

Having won against the previously unbeaten Shefford & Sandy last week, Aylesbury Ladies 2nd XI continued its post-Christmas assault on the top-ranking teams by beating second placed Harpenden on Saturday. Aylesbury has now regained second place in the Five Counties' League with a game in hand. Harpenden proved a competent opposition against a young Aylesbury side. Strong defensive work from Jess Wylde and Linda Kynaston held the imposing Harpenden attack at bay. Late into the first half, Aylesbury made a break with Naomi Smith driving up the right wing. Harpenden, on the back foot, struggled with overload, as Smith hit the ball across the D to Evie Plumb who roofed the ball into the right corner with astounding ease.

Aylesbury's glee was short-lived, as Harpenden pressed hard, winning a short corner and converting it to make the score 1-1. With the opposition bearing down on the Aylesbury defense, Emma Cooling calmly took the ball of the Harpenden right wing, driving forward and passing the ball to Plumb on the halfway line. Plumb's unrelenting pace and calmness on the ball led her to out run two defenders and run one-on-one with the keeper. Drawing the keeper out to the right, Plumb switched back, leaving the keeper stricken and delivered a delicate pass into the goal to make the score 2-1 as the half-time whistle blew.

Aylesbury stayed firm in defence with Beth Upton was continuously strong at right back with outstanding tackles on the opposition's quick attacks. Eventually, tired legs began to show on the weary Harpenden side and Aylesbury's 15-strong squad was the undoing of Harpenden.

Aylesbury capitalized on this and as space opened up, Emily Davitt's brave command of the centre mid-field allowed her to feed the ball through, into the D to Liz Brooks' stick. A sharp slap of the ball to the left-hand post, under the diving keeper, allowed Plumb to take her hat-trick off the post.

As Harpenden's spirits dropped, Aylesbury continued its attack. Having won the ball on the halfway line, Brooks ran the 40 metres, outwitting two defenders to take on the keeper. With a dummy to the right, which led the keeper to dive, Brooks darted back to the left, running around the keeper and hitting the ball home.

Final score 4-1 to Aylesbury. A wonderful display of hockey from the entire team and again three points well deserved. Aylesbury goes on to meet Bedford away next week.

Ladies 3rd XI

Aylesbury Ladies 3rd XI: 2 - Sonning Vets: 0

The Ladies 3rd XI also produced some excellent hockey to take three points from visitors Sonning Vets. A tough, physical game ensued but Aylesbury were determined to let the hockey do the talking. Great passing and confidence on the ball began the frustrate the Sonning defence as Aylesbury worked tirelessly down the left. Meghan Howitt, linked up with midfield of Claire Heale and Kelly Marsh, to get Aylesbury their first penalty corner. Slipped left, captain Marsh struck the ball sweetly into the corner of goal. 1-nil to Aylesbury at half time.

In the second half, Aylesbury came into their own, with the ever solid partnership of Katherine Anley and Kirsty Dean kept Sonning at bay, and setting up attacks through the midfield. Aylesbury started to spread the ball wide and pressurise Sonning defence. Struggling with the continuous onslaught from the Aylesbury forwards and midfield, Sonning conceded another goal when a pass from Poppy Fitzwalter from the right found Simone James on the corner post, who coolly slotted the ball into the goal. Another win for the 3rd XI sees the team move up to 4th position. Another Aylesbury Ladies team displayed some wonderful hockey with all players contributing to the win.