England Hockey National League Conference West

Cardiff & Met Men's 2nd XI. 0

Ashmoor Men's 1st XI. 2

PLAYING away to newly promoted Cardiff & Met, Ashmoor men's first team produced a strong performance to gain all three points in a highly competitive encounter.

Ashmoor showed their intent in the opening minutes when player-coach Jack Dinnie played in Theo Bennett as they attacked down the right flank.

The England U16 international fired the ball across goal and Fletch Naisbett-Jones was inches away from scoring Ashmoor's first goal of the season. The remainder of the quarter was an even affair, with no clear-cut chances for either side.

That trademark blend of youth and experience worked so well for Ashmoor in the second quarter, with the team's five teenagers all stepping up and contesting really well.

Will Maynard looked assured in defence, whilst Tom Barnett and debutant Hartley Colbourne were strong on the ball in midfield. Bennett and Sol Bloomfield up front caused problems for Cardiff's back four.

Ten minutes before half-time, Cardiff had their best chance, but England Masters keeper Ben Blundy, another new signing, was more than equal to it.

Just before the break, Ashmoor looked like they might take the lead when Dinnie found Bloomfield high in the opposition circle, he was contacted by the keeper as he controlled but not enough in the umpire’s eyes to merit a penalty, and the Cardiff defence were able to clear.

For the second half, Ashmoor were forced to make some readjustments when defensive debutant Tom Conway was forced to retire with a hamstring strain, allowing Bennett to drop into the back four.

However, this didn't deter Ashmoor and almost immediately, they took the lead. The move started with great work forward from Cullen Turner, who's offload to Jamie Bishop was sublime.

The skipper needed no invitation to fire the ball goalwards, and the ever-alert Bloomfield was able to get a nick on it and deflect it home for a deserved 1-0 lead and Ashmoor's first league goal of the season.

Ashmoor continued to take the game to Cardiff and when Bennett flashed a cross into the danger area, the forwards just couldn't quite get on the end of it.

Just before quarter time defender Turner was first to the ball but went to ground - now an illegal practice - and was yellow-carded with a 10-minute suspension. Ashmoor reorganised and dealt with being a man down extremely well. The forwards and midfield worked hard to deny space and time, and Ashmoor's defence held firm.

In fact, the team linked up well and found Barnett near the opposition D. The youngster's skills took him into the area where he drew a foul and won a valuable penalty corner.

Ashmoor's slick routine finished with Bishop roofing his shot to give Cardiff's Wales keeper no chance and put Ashmoor 2-0 up. Turner returned to the fray, and although Cardiff had a couple of penalty corners of their own, it never looked like Ashmoor's Pallex Player of the Match Ben Blundy would be beaten.

The game finished with Cardiff a player down after a sin bin offence, and Ashmoor took the spoils to start their league campaign confidently.

Photography courtesy of Cardiff & Met's resident photographer Irfon 'Beefy' Bennett.

Bloomfield received the home side's choice of Man of the Match. Ashmoor Men's first team now host relegated Team Bath Buccanneers this Sunday (1pm) at their Totnes base. It's free to see and all support is very welcome.