UNDER the expert coaching eye of Jack Dinnie, Ashmoor's Under 18 Indoor team produced a memorable performance in a winner-takes-all game against Wotton-Under-Edge Hockey Club in the West Finals on Sunday.

They were well up for the challenge against Wotton, who entered the fixture as holders and favourites. Ashmoor meanwhile, haven’t qualified for the England Hockey Finals from the regional competitions since pre-covid at junior level.

The match was played as a full 40-minute Indoor contest, split into four 10-minute quarters. Ashmoor conceded early on when they turned the ball over in the middle of the pitch. However, as the nerves settled, they enjoyed some good possession and this showed in the winning of three penalty corner set pieces.

Firing just wide from their first effort, Ashmoor had the second attempt from Captain Sol Bloomfield saved. Just on the stroke of half time a third penalty corner effort was kept out by a multitude of bodies. A penalty stroke was initially awarded, but as Bloomfield got himself ready to take it, the umpires overturned their decision.

Ashmoor came out more determined again in the second quarter and struck an early equaliser. Will Harvey drove beautifully down the right baseline and fed Seth Turner who finished well at the back post. Their joy was short-lived though when Wotton won a penalty corner and worked a slip move, which Ben Barnett was unlucky not to block successfully - the shot just looping in. The lead stayed at 2-1 to Wotton at the half time interval.

The Ashmoor lads knew they had more in the tank as the second half began, and when Turner fed the ball to a rapidly advancing Bloomfield, the rangey player rounded the keeper and finished expertly to draw level at 2-2. From that moment Ashmoor never fell behind again.

Great work from Noah Driesen on the left-hand side found Charles Walker and the young striker showed great composure to wrong-foot the keeper and bury his shot.

Ashmoor's defence of Luke Stapleton, Olly Hartwell and Barnett was very solid and composed and dealt well with the swift Wotton front three, and Tom Croughan in goal was equal to whatever was thrown at him. However, just at the start of the final quarter with Ashmoor leading 3-2, the Wotton centre mid made a mazy run around the Ashmoor defending circle and finished expertly from a tight angle - 3-3 and all to play for.

Ashmoor responded immediately, Turner stealing the ball well in the middle of the pitch, linking up with Bloomfield who made a fantastic reverse stick finish to regain the lead. There was no let up by the Ashmoor team who went straight on the offensive again, winning another penalty corner. Barnett injected to Harvey and he dispatched his shot to make it 5-3 to Ashmoor.

The team remained calm and let their hockey do the talking. Wotton pressed hard and were eventually rewarded with a goal back. However, it was too little too late as Ashmoor's captain Sol Bloomfield won a penalty corner just before the final whistle.

The exciting game finished 5-4, to the delight of players, parents and coaching staff.

Tournament Manager Rich Hill presented Bloomfield with the West Winners Cup, and players received winners' pin badges. The team will now go through to represent the West Region at the Super Sixes Indoor Hockey National Finals at the Derby Arena on January 12.