Horsham put seven past Ashford - but ladies let in nine

An early attack from Ashford necessitated a running save from keeper Ben Beard, but that was almost as good as it got for the visitors.

After two Horsham forays, Zac Chinn surged forward, rounding the Ashford keeper to tap in an excellent solo goal. Two Horsham short corners followed, with Sean Percy being denied before Richard Blakesley’s shot was cleared off the line. However, Ashford’s relief was merely temporary, Sam MacDonald bursting past the Ashford defence to smash home.

When Player Coach Andy Blood struck home to add to Ashford’s woes, three defensive errors had cost the Kent side three goals up to the break, an unconverted Ashford short corner failing to reduce the deficit.

Luca Yeates knocked in an excellent team goal shortly after the restart, with Harry Wells promptly scrambling in another from close quarters. A strong Horsham volley was just averted, but the hosts posted another goal from a Sean Pearcy through ball, finalised by Chris Dunley.

Then Wells tapped in for Horsham’s seventh. Towards the end, Ashford obtained a consolation when they found the net from a short corner.

Horsham had three unsuccessful late set pieces of their own, but had been by far the better side, with the scoreline fairly reflecting their ascendancy

It was a totally different story for Horsham Ladies’ young side, short of familiar experienced players through injury and a variety of other reasons. Up against the far more seasoned Hampstead & Westminster visitors, despite some brave saves from Amanda Billington, they were soon playing catch up, and without any rub of the green, chased the game from early on, going on to lose 9-0.