Report

Today we approached our final game of the season against the runaway champions handicapped by a squad depleted, inter alia, by holidays, a long-term injury, a foot injury, a hamstring injury, an injury incurred at a playground the previous weekend, an injury inflicted by a team mate the previous day, an all day party and the attractions of a sleepover the previous evening.

Many thanks to Luke, Ross and Cameron for standing in so we had 10 players to compete with Shinfield's 16 man squad.

A new look team under the captaincy of James kicked off, and passed the ball around confidently, before on 4 minutes, a misplaced pass  was intercepted by the Shinfield winger who steered the ball past the onrushing Ben G in the Ashridge Park goal.  Unfortuantely, in his endeavours, Ben twisted his knee and was in some distress, but was determined to carry on in goal.  Two more goals followed in the next 5 minutes, but the players continued to show great determination, with excellent performances from Ross , Charlie and Luke in particular.  After the 4th goal, on 17 minutes, the team was reorganised and Cameron came back to bolster the defence, with a noticeable improvement.  On 32 minutes, Ashridge won their first corner of the match, which was partially cleared, before Luke's shot was saved by the keeper. However just seconds before half time the home team scored a 6th goal after Ashridge had spurned a chance in their area.

Ashridge started the 2nd half camped in the Shinfield half, and within 3 minutes a well struck corner by Cameron gave Dom a chance that he would have converted on another day.  The team continued to show great character, and apart from a 4 minute period from 46 to 50 minutes when the home team scored 3 goals, they gave the home team a good match.  Shinfield's last goal was from a penalty 6 minutes from time.

Full credit should go to the Ashridge team for battling so well with odds stacked against them.

We have finished the season in a respectable 5th place, with the season's highlights probably being the first day vcitory at Henley and the exciting home draw with Cove.  We shall now look forward to occasional friendlies and tournaments over the next 3 months before preparing for next season.