Islington Quicksticks Hockey Competition

Ashmount went one step further than last year, when we won the final 1-0 against St Andrew’s Primary School to be crowned champions.11 teams, which included 2 from Ashmount arrived at Sobell Leisure centre to compete for the right to be crowned winners.

Ashmount’s A team had a difficult start in their group as they lost by a solitary goal to St Andrew’s Primary. Next up for them were Montem and we recorded our first win, winning 3-0 with goals from Jordan (2) and Cory. We followed that with a narrow 1-0 (Cory) defeat of St Judes B, which left us needing to avoid a loss in the last group game to qualify for the semi-finals. Canonbury were our opponents and they came at us looking for a win which would take them through. We were definitely on the back foot throughout but the team defended well and grounded out a 0-0 draw which was enough to send us through.

Over on the other pitch, our B team had an excellent start winning 2-0 against Pakeman with two goals for Abdellah. Another win followed, as we beat William Tyndale 3-0 with Kalvin scoring a hat-trick. The team then suffered its first defeat losing 2-1 (Tanya) to St Joan Of Arc. St Jude’s and St Paul’s were next and we took the lead as Eloim scored his first goal of the day, however St Jude’s and St Paul’s equalised with not long left to end the game 1-1. Our last game was against Sacred Heart which was a must win game and Kalvin’s solitary goal was the decider. With games still going on it was a matter of waiting to see where the B team had finished. The news when it came was good and bad, they had topped the group which was a brilliant achievement but that meant one of the semi finals would be Ashmount A v Ashmount B!

The match turned out to be a real humdinger. Laura put the B’s in front and looked to have put one foot in the final for her team, but with virtually the last shot of the match Cory equalised to send the game into extra time. A double for Jordan sealed victory for the A’s and a place in the semi’s whilst the B’s were in the 3rd/4th play off against St Joan Of Arc.

The B’s unfortunately couldn’t clinch a 3rd place spot going down 1-0, so it was onto the A’s re-match to see if they could overcome the strong St Andrew’s who had not lost a game all afternoon. As finals go it was a tense, nervy affair with players from both sides giving it their all. Neither side was able to create any clear cut chances until Cory looked like he would score but miscued his shot. However he would get a second chance, as a minute later he made sure he hit the target, scoring from close range. With a minute left it was all hands on deck, as St Andrew’s pushed forward. We survived a couple nervy moments but to our relief the final whistle blew and we were champions.

A day to be extremely proud of all the players, to have two teams in the final four was a fantastic achievement from all the players involved. Obviously the A team will grab the plaudits due to their win, but the B team topped a very tough group and were beaten by the eventual winners!

A squad :- Fedan (captain), Molly May, Rasharna, Jordan, Cory and Louis.

B squad :- Abdellah (captain), Kalvin, Eloim, Tanya, Zoe and Laura.