Derby 1st XI 1 - 1 Ashby 1st XI

Saturdays’ fixture saw Derby without 6 starting line up players and the visit of 4th place Ashby was not the game we needed today.

Right from the off Ashby stated just how they were to approach the whole game in a manner more befitting of an Ice Hockey Game rather than a Field Hockey one. The physical nature of the game was unfortunately not addressed by the appointed umpires until far too late in the game leading to a very scrappy stop-start match.

The goals scored (1 – 1) where almost insignificant amongst the melee of fouls and missed decisions, and despite 2 yellow cards being shown in the match the more informed of us on the side line noted a possible 6 – 8 that should have been.

To Ashby’s credit they forced Derby onto the back foot for large periods of the 1st half winning 8 PC’s and attempting to work their well-drilled routines and scoring from only one thanks to some superb defensive work.

The second half unfortunately fell into absolute disarray with all the players frustrations at the lack of control from the umpires beginning to spill over badly onto the pitch. 2 yellow cards, one for Ashby and one for Derby (Will Howarth) did nothing to stop the violent nature of this match. During this period Dave Elliott did bring the scores back level with a typical strike from one of Derby’s rare PC’s.

The Umpires stopped play with 20mins to go to warn the Teams about any future repetition of their conduct would be dealt with by way of cards. They also spoke to the managers who re-enforced their own desires to stop the games disruption with cards but straight from the restart another bad foul by the Ashby left wing saw no action taken by the umpires to the absolute amazement of the Derby players and supporters alike.

Unfortunately worse was to come. With only 5 mins left a break from the Derby midfield saw Neil drive into the area and slip the ball under the advancing keeper. With the ball about to cross the line a desperate dive by the Ashby full back saw him unable to reach the ball but he threw his stick at it deflecting the ball wide for an obvious Penalty Stroke and Yellow card. BUT to alls amazement he gave neither. An incredible decision from an appointed umpire.

Drama went on though until the last moments of the game. With time almost out Ashby again won a PC and from the resulting well-worked move the ball was slipped over the advancing Keeper and stopped on the line by a Derby foot to concede a penalty stroke.

As the players stepped away the final whistle blew and it was left to Chris in goal to be the hero with a save to finish the match at 1-1 and leave Derby in 4th place just 4 points off the promotion places.