Rust was evident at the start of this fixture which was inevitable as it was the first game in a month for both sides. Caradon Second team did carve out several good openings early on but nobody was able to provide the finishing touch and then on the break Ashmoor drove down the right and a quick ball into the centre found the Ashmoor centre forward on hand to force the ball past Mike Parkinson in goal. That seemed to knock Caradon's confidence and it was Ashmoor who started to pile on the pressure and the centre forward was unlucky not to have a first half hat-trick as both posts were hit in the dying minutes. Caradon re-grouped at half time and came out playing more composed hockey with the less dribbling and more considered use of the ball evident. It eventually paid of when a goal bound shot was stopped on the line by a foot and although the rebound was dispatched the whistle had already gone to award a penalty flick. Much to Caradon's disappointment the flick was saved and almost immediately Ashmoor went up the other end and doubled their lead. Caradon's heads could have dropped with this double disappointment but still they continued to attack the Ashmoor defensive line and after several near misses at shot corners they got a foothold back in the game. The initial shot from the short corner was saved but Paul Hunt was on hand to fire back towards goal. Whether the shot was on target is debatable but it hit the defenders foot and trickled over the line. With just under 20 minutes remaining it was game on and it wasn't long before Paul Hunt struck again to bring the scores level. The quality of the hockey played in the last 20 minutes was amongst the best ever played by Caradon Second Team and when the two Neil's combined in attack; Spencer took advantage of a quality ball from Jones and suddenly Caradon were ahead in the game for the first time. Thoughts of sitting on their lead for the final few minutes were not forefront in the minds as Caradon continued to pressurise the Ashmoor defence and an attack down the right saw a fast ball into the D expertly dispatched by Ben Reynolds and the first win of the season was assured. Man of the Match went to stand in keeper Mike Parkinson who pulled off a number of good saves particularly at the end of the first half as Ashmoor threatened to put the game out of reach. Next week Penzance Second team are the visitors to Lux Park.
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