Ashford Hockey Club enjoyed their best weekend of the season as they beat West Hampstead 4-2 in the league on Saturday before reaching their third consecutive Kent Cup semi-final on Sunday.

The victory over West Hampstead ended a seven game losing streak in the South Premier League Division 2, reviving hopes of a relegation escape.

The promotion chasing Londoners came to Ball Lane on a 10 match unbeaten run but three early goals went a long way to making a mockery of the formbook.

Sam Handley scored two of them, a superb team effort resulting in the first, before Handley’s individual brilliance brought the second.

Rob Playford added the third, giving Ashford a 3-0 half-time lead.

Hampstead replied after the break with two quick goals, the second coming from a short corner.

The game was now on a knife edge but when Andy Hill and Handley created an opening for Playford to smash home, Ashford were on their way to a vital three points which takes them up to 10th.

The next day’s 2-1 success over Canterbury 2nds in the cup was an added bonus.

Handley was again on target, with a first-half goal created by the speed and vision of Hill.

Canterbury equalised from a rebound off a short corner but Paul Cheaps’ second-half strike booked their place in the last four.