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Match Reports

11/9/05 Rides Dynamos: Playing with 10 men Ashridge took the game to Rides and despite being caught on the break after 20 minutes managed to hit back straight away with a strike from Neil Hanger which went under the goalkeepers body. Sustained pressure was then rewarded with two quick goals from Dan Booth at close range and a 20 yd strike from Luke Smith. Rides came back with a late goal from a free kick which was not cleared from the 6 yd box. At 3 - 2 Ashridge held on in the second half despite tired legs and on 81 minutes Neil Hanger was rewarded with a second goal,  having latched onto an inch perfect 20 yd pass from Roddy Clark taking the ball around the keeper and placing it into the empty net.

18/9/05 Winkfield: Despite a promising start, Ashridge couldn't convert their possession into goal scoring opportunities. As the first half progressed Ashridge gifted Winkfield the opener, by finding their own net having failed to deal with a cross. A soft second goal which looped over the keeper gave Winkfield a 2 goal lead at half time. Ashridge pushed on in the second half but found it difficult to break down a packed Winkfield defence, who were now happy to defend their lead. The game slipped away from Ashridge when they conceded a third goal on the break. Ashridge continued to push forward, resulting in a late consolation, Neil Hanger heading in at the back post.

25/09/05 AFC Bracknell: After letting a two goal lead slip, Ashridge had to settle for their first draw of the season. AFC dominated possession for large periods of the game, however found themselves two behind at the break, courtesy of two Matt Barclay strikes. Ashridge looked to have weathered a second half fight back by AFC with Trevor Monk pulling off a string of point blank saves. During the closing stages of the half AFC struck twice, with the equaliser coming in the final 5 minutes.

16/10/05 Arborfield: Ashridge progressed to the next round, after a strong first half performance against Arborfield. Paul Blanchard netting twice after good approach play by Neil Hanger. Arborfield pushed on after the break, but found themselves further behind, following a Matt Tanner freekick. Arborfield pulled one back late on, but this proved little consolation, as Ashridge added a fourth in stoppage time, Paul Blanchard braking clear, to set up Neil Hanger for a close range finish. 

23/10/05 FC Wokingham: Ashridge produced a fine second half fight back against Wokingham, in an open encounter. Wokingham went in 2-0 at the break, after dominating the first half. An early second half strike looked to have finished the game off as a contest, however a double from Neil Hanger, and goals from Paul Blanchard and Roddy Clark, gave Ashridge the lead. Wokingham then had a man sent off for two bookable offences. Wokingham pushed on, and grabbed a late equaliser after Ashridge had failed to clear their lines.

30/10/05 Bagshott Road: Bagshott took all three points after a fighting performance, in difficult conditions. Bagshott bagged both their goals in the first half, after Ashridge had struggled to defend their long throws. Both sides cancelled each other out during the second half, as the wind affected the play.

6/11/05 AFC Bracknell: In difficult conditions, Ashridge just edged out AFC Bracknell in an entertaining encounter. AFC took an early lead, following a well placed free kick, Ashridge responed well with two clinical finishes by Neil Hanger. AFC equalised before half time, after a low free kick found its way through the Ashridge wall and into the bottom corner. In an end to end second period, Ashridge opened up a two goal lead, courtsey of goals from Paul Blanchard and Dave Clifford. AFC fought back well, and after some sustained pressure, pulled level in the final few minutes. Ashridge hit the winner in the closing stages, Matt Barclay on hand to drive the ball home.

13/11/05 Bagshot Road: An even contest in the first half saw Ashridge go ahead with a close range header from Martin Clapham, Bagshot struck back quickly with a converted penalty, leaving the game  finely balanced at 1-1 at half time. Fortunes changed in the second half when Ashridge where forced to change their keeper. Despite some brave defending Bagshot slowly gained the upper hand scoring 4 times to run in 5 -1 winners, the final score flattering the home side for what had been a hard fought contest.

20/11/05 Syngenta: Ashridge progressed into the second round of the junior cup after a fine first half performance against Syngenta. Ashridge were 2-0 up at the break, after excellent approach play for both goals, Matt Barclay on hand twice to finish the moves off. Syngenta started off better in the second half, and pulled one back, after a mix up in the Ashridge defence, however a brace from Dave Clifford, and a third strike from Matt Barclay rounded off an impressive performance. Syngenta grabbed a second late on, with a looping header, but this proved to be no more than a consolation strike.

27/11/05 FC Muchachos De Bracknell: Despite some slick approach play from Ashridge in the first half, Muchachoes with the help of the woodwork thwarted Ashridge's strikers until Dave Clifford finally broke the deadlock from a close range shot. Ashridge continued the pressure in the second half, taking the game to Muchachoes with Neil Hanger leading the line superbly. Another strike from inform Matt Barclay gave Ashridge a 2-0 cushion, however poor finishing prevented them from putting the game beyond reach and a late penalty gave Muchachoes some reward for their endeavours. Credit must go to both teams and the referee John Farrell for demonstrating the right attitude and fair play both on and off the pitch.

4/12/05 FC Wokingham: In difficult conditions, FC Wokingham narrowly edged out Ashridge at Cantley. FC Wokingham took a two goal lead into the break after two defensive slip ups. Ashridge responded well in the second half and pulled one back through Paul Blanchard and a string of fine saves from Trevor Monk denied FC Wokingham from extending their lead. In the last minute, Ashridge were themselves denied a deserved equaliser when Roddy Clark netted only to be ruled off side by a late flag.

11/12/05 Syngenta: After dominating the first half, Ashridge went in at the break two up, through goals from Neil Hanger and Paul Blanchard. Syngenta fought back well in the second period and ended up running in 4-2 winners.

8/1/06 Royals FC: An early strike by Rob Prior-Lang set Ashridge on course for victory against FC Royals. Three second half strikes from Dave Clifford, Roddy Clark and Neil Hanger ensured the points, as FC Royals could only manage to pull one back.

15/1/06 Dukes Head: Ashridge ran out 5-3 winners after a battling performance. Ashridge went ahead early on through Patrick Lucas, but an in swinging corner levelled the match for the Dukes Head midway through the first half. Dave Clifford struck twice before the break to restore Ashridge's advantage, only for a defensive mix up in the Ashridge defence allowing the Dukes Head to pull one back. The Dukes Head grabbed a third during the second period, but goals from Paul Blanchard and Neil Hanger ensured the win.

22/1/06 Winkfield: Ashridge continued their unbeaten run in 2006 with a fine victory away at Winkfield. Ashridge went in 2-1 up at the break, after a brace from Roddy Clark. Winkfield levelled the match 10 minutes into the second half, but Ashridge grabbed the winner soon afterwards, Paul Balanchard finishing from close range.

29/1/06 FC Muchachos: Ashridge recorded their seventh win of the season, following a strong second half performance against FC Muchachos. With the game finely balanced at 0-0 at the break, Ashridge went on to dominate the second period, opening the scoring within minutes of the re-start. Dave Clifford finishing off a fine cross from Neil Hanger. Colin Monk added a second with a towering header from a set piece, Dave Clifford then slotted in his second and Ashridge's third and finally Neil Hanger rounded off the scoring with a well taken fourth.  

5/2/06 Woodley Hammers Reserves: Ashridge progressed to the next round of the cup after a battling performance against Woodley Hammers Reserves.  Ashridge led at half time, Dave Clifford setting up Rob Prior-Lang who finished well.  Woodley grabbed the equaliser, late on in the second half and with the scores level, the match went into extra time.  Neither side really looked like winning it during extra time, so the match was decided by penalties.  Ashridge managed to hold their nerve and won the shootout after converting all five of their penalties.  Luke Smith produced a man of the match performance in goal, with a string of fine saves during the match, and with the all important save which won Ashridge the shootout.

12/2/06 Squirells FC: In a competitively fought first 25 minutes chances were squandered by both sides, the dead lock finally being broken by a determined Dave Clifford on his second attempt to net passed the Squirells Keeper. Squirells hit back almost immediately when they were awarded a penalty following an infringement in the box, leaving the game finely balanced at 1 - 1 at half time. Ashridge stepped up a gear in the second half with free flowing football, Dave Clifford going on to net a further three goal to put the game beyond Squirells. Ashridge maintained the pressure resulting in further goals from Neil Hanger and Matt Barclay, a very sold performance by the Ashridge defence made sure that there was no way back for Squirells. A fine string of saves late into the game by Nathane Beer in the Squirells goal kept the final score in single figures.

5/3/06 3M: In a controversial game, Ashridge Park were knocked out of the cup after having a perfectly good goal ruled out for allegedly not crossing the line. Ashridge went ahead midway through the first half, Neil Hanger rising highest to head home a Rob Prior-Lang cross. During the second half Matt Barclay struck a sweet shot on the turn, which rebounded off the inside of the stanchion, to the amazement of the Ashridge players, the referee decided the ball hadn't crossed the line. 3M finished the game the strongest and struck twice to compound Ashridge's misery.

12/3/06 Squirells: After letting a two nil lead slip, Ashridge had to settle for a draw against a battling Squirells side. Ashridge opened the scoring, Sam Page curling in an inch perfect shot into the top corner. Ashridge extended their lead mid way through the first half, Paul Blanchard firing home from the edge of the box. Squirells pulled one back just before the break, and the equaliser came during the second period.

19/3/06 Syngenta: Ashridge registered their fourth draw of the season, after failing to break down a well organised Syngenta side.  At the break Syngenta led 1-0, with the goal coming after they reacted quickest to a rebound. Ashridge piled on the pressure during the second half, and deservedly got the equaliser, Luke Smith getting on the end of a left wing cross to volley home.  Ashridge should have won the game late on, however  Neil hanger's effort was controversially cancelled out by the linesman, for offside.

26/3/06 The Dukes Head: Ashridge completed the double over The Dukes Head this season, after an inspiring hat-trick by Neil Hanger. Neil hanger opened the scoring early on with a well taken shot from outside the box. The Dukes Head equalised from the penalty spot, and missed the opportunity to take the lead, after having a second penalty saved by Luke Smith. Ashridge capitalised on this and hit back with two quick goals from Neil Hanger and Patrick Lucas. The Dukes Head pulled another goal back shortly after the re-start, but further strikes by Neil Hanger and Paul Blanchard ensured the win.

2/4/06 Ashridge thumped Royals FC to record their tenth victory of the season. At the break Ashridge led 5-1, thanks to a hat-trick by Dave Clifford and goals by Neil Hanger and Paul Blanchard. After the interval Ashridge dominated the second half, Paul Blanchard grabbed himself a second half hat-trick and a further strike by Patrick Lucas completed the rout.

9/4/06 Rides Dynamoes: Ashridge slumped to their fifth defeat of the season, despite taking a 2-0 lead. James Nicolson opened the scoring early on and Ashridge scored a second after an unfortunate own goal. Rides responded strongly and went on to score four times before the interval. They extended their lead soon after the break, however Ashridge piled on the pressure and managed to pull one back through Roddy Clark, but Rides held on to take all three points.

23/4/06 Bagshot Road: A tight even game in the first half saw Bagshot Road take a two goal lead, both goals produced from crosses from the right, Ashridge remained patient and were rewarded with a close range shot from Sam Page after some good approach play by Roddy Clark on the left, leaving the game poised at 2 - 1 at half time. Bagshot scored early into the second half following a free kick outside the area and despite further pressure from Ashridge and misses at both ends the game ended with Bagshot taking all three points.

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This page was last updated at 23 April, 2006 19:57      

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