A&C completed their pre-league friendlies with an encouraging victory against Staines at Newlands Park. Staines started the better and forced an early save out of Vicki Williams. Pippa Brettle made a timely intervention to repel another Staines attack before A&C started to put together some passing moves of their own. A&C took the lead mid-way through the first half. Good work by Katy Shaw on the right led to Sarah Cartledge feeding the ball through for Laura Patterson to sweep home. Lynda Bullock nearly doubled the score when her thunderous shot from a short corner was superbly saved off the line.

The second half saw A&C enjoy greater spells of possession in which Caroline Coates shot just wide from Heidi Frick's pass. At the other end Williams made a great one on one save. A&C's response was for Shaw to pass the ball to Patterson who showed great determination to drive through under pressure and get a shot at goal. A&C sealed the game with the last play when Rachel Parker scored from a penalty corner.

Team: Williams, Spicer, Bullock, Parker, Brettle, Coates, Shaw, Frick, Brothwell, Cartledge, Patterson. Subs: Ruxton, Durkin.

QUIZ NIGHT - SATURDAY

Here is this weeks roll of honour:

A&C Mens 1st XI put in a spirited display of hockey when they started their post-Christmas league season with a win against Sonning.

The first goal came from a penalty corner in which Warren Scott's strike to the left post was swept in by Richie Martin. The A&C attack were well supported by their mid-field and defence, in particular Mark Wardman, with some excellent possession and build-up play, feeding balls into the Sonning 25, creating scoring opportunities for the forwards, which were not always capitalised on. However, the second goal came towards the end of the first half when Scott's cross from the right wing was neatly netted by Martin Cartledge.

Sonning had their chances, narrowly missing or hitting the post on several occasions and also having a penalty flick saved by Daniel Lovelace, but were unable to convert any of them. The second half was mostly uneventful other than for 2 yellow cards, 1 on each side as both teams battled hard for the 3 points.

Team: Lovelace, Chiles, Lamborn, van Duyvenbode, Wardman, Woolfenden, Martin, Turner, Watts, Cartledge, Scott, Rutherford

EASTER HOCKEY TOUR

OK - Its that time of year again when A&C pack their cars up and go on a Easter hockey road trip! Since we have had so much fun at Folkestone in the past, we have decided to do it again this year!

The tournament is held over Easter weekend (8-11 April). There is 70 teams in the tournament so far, more than in the past, and the tournament is held over Friday, Saturday and Sunday, DON'T PANIC; you don't need to take any time off work - most employers/schools/uni's give you Friday and Monday off! A&C have entered 3 teams this year; 1 mixed, 1 ladies and 1 men's (team names and captains are needed if anyone has any suggestions or would like to volunteer).

Accommodation is reserved at the Grand Hotel. The Grand is one mile (10 min walk) from the pitches, on top of a cliff, with views on one side of France and on the other the hills and the hockey pitches. After sweet talking the manager (nothing more!) he has agreed to the price of £60 per person to stay Thursday to Sunday inclusive (not per night)! This is the cheapest we have ever found!

You can also have breakfast and an evening meal at the hotel, both buffet style; costing £5 a sitting - providing most of us want it (I recommend everyone signs up for brekkie).

T-shirts with your 'tour name' are available at £15 approx.

Most people will go up on Thursday night and drink lots in preparation for Fri, Sat and Sun's intensive hockey playing - oh - and drinking!

Should be a fab weekend away - all that have been before will tell you its great. Its definitely worth going.

All that are coming please e-mail me, or call me; 07989 303506 or sara.daughtrey@sharprecruitment.co.uk. Let me know if you are staying all the nights, whether you want food, whether you want a t-shirt and what you want printed on it (nothing too rude) and let me know if you are going to pay in full or in instalments. I need a deposit of £25 by Saturday 31st Jan if you want to come, which you should!

I am also looking for any volunteers to help out - i.e sort the teams, or take charge of the t-shirts (they won't be yellow again!).... HELP!