2025/2026 season. Completed it mate!

It was the final weekend of the season for Wisbech Town Hockey Club, with all ten teams in action across a busy programme of fixtures.

The Men’s 1s hosted Bourne Deeping and made a bright start, quickly creating several promising chances. Their early pressure paid off when Dom Stannard opened the scoring. Wisbech continued to dominate the early stages with excellent link-up play down the left-hand side, but their inability to extend the lead proved costly. Bourne Deeping struck twice on the counter to turn the game around and seize the momentum. The visitors continued their ascendancy and added further goals either side of half time. Wisbech briefly responded with a counter-attacking finish from Josh Porter, but it proved only a consolation as Bourne Deeping ran out 7–2 winners.

The Ladies 1s travelled to Norwich UEA knowing a result was vital to secure their league status. From the first whistle they were under intense pressure from an already relegated but spirited UEA side. Wisbech struggled to play out early on, with crucial last-ditch tackles from Georgia Hallett, Laura Bell, Nat Ward and Izzy Pope, alongside assured goalkeeping from Ellie Sandall, keeping the scores level through a difficult opening period. Gradually Wisbech found their rhythm and took the lead through the tireless Ellie Cavill, whose hard work was rewarded with a well-taken goal. Wisbech held that advantage into the break. UEA equalised just three minutes after the restart following a goalmouth scramble, but Wisbech responded strongly. Good link-up play between Hannah Strickland, Georgie Dunn, Holly Tyler and Izzy Pope created opportunities, and Dunn calmly finished to restore the lead. Wisbech then managed the game well, combining experience and youthful energy to control the closing stages. On the final whistle they were awarded a penalty corner, which Izzy Pope struck low into the bottom corner to seal a deserved 3–1 victory and confirm survival. Ellie Cavill was named Player of the Match for her exceptional work rate, tackling and crucial goal.

The Men’s 2s finished their campaign with an impressive 1–1 draw against the league champions. Wisbech executed their half-court tactics superbly, showing excellent teamwork, communication and effort across the pitch. Despite strong defensive organisation, the visitors eventually took the lead with a well-taken goal. Wisbech responded early in the second half when a Jonathan Shippey aerial found Drew Harvey, who controlled brilliantly before drawing the defender and slipping the ball to Ben Allen to finish under the advancing goalkeeper. Wisbech pushed for more late on with several short corner opportunities, but the match ended level. Goalkeeper Kevin Shippey was deservedly named Man of the Match for an outstanding display that kept the champions quiet in the circle.

The Ladies 2s hosted March and started strongly, building attacking pressure that resulted in an early short corner. Sue Robinson and Lou Sandall combined confidently, with Sandall finishing into the backboard to open the scoring. March responded quickly to level the game, but Wisbech regained the lead before half time through Amber Crossley-King, who struck well on the reverse. The second half saw Wisbech take control as Claire Burton added a third in the 46th minute before Amber Crossley-King set up Lily Cooper at the back post for the fourth just two minutes later. Player of the Match honours were shared between Lucy Ludlow, Amber Crossley-King and Freya Mathews for their tireless work.

The Men’s 3s travelled to Kettering knowing their opponents were chasing promotion. The hosts started strongly and moved into a 2–0 lead, but Wisbech responded when Ciaran Lowe converted a well-struck short corner. Kettering restored their advantage before half time to lead 3–1, and periods of the game saw Wisbech reduced to ten players following contentious decisions, disrupting their rhythm. Despite battling hard in the second half, Wisbech could not contain Kettering’s attacking threat and the home side added two more goals to secure a 5–1 victory and promotion. Jay Norman was named Man of the Match for his confident dribbling and overall performance.

The Ladies 3s travelled to Haverhill for their final match and began brightly, attacking confidently down both flanks and earning an early short corner that narrowly failed to produce a goal. Wisbech continued to create chances throughout the first half but could not find the breakthrough, with the sides going in level at 0–0. Haverhill emerged stronger after the break and began to apply sustained pressure. Despite determined defending, the hosts eventually broke the deadlock and later doubled their lead. Wisbech continued to fight hard until the final whistle, showing strong team spirit throughout. Charlotte was named Player of the Match for an excellent individual performance.

The Men’s 4s faced Bourne Deeping but struggled to find their rhythm against an experienced side pushing for promotion. The visitors controlled large parts of the game, with goalkeeper Rhys Archard producing a number of excellent saves to keep the scoreline respectable and earning Man of the Match honours. A penalty corner goal from Ciaran Lowe provided a consolation as Bourne Deeping proved too strong.

The Ladies 4s endured a frustrating afternoon away at Peterborough 5s, falling to a narrow 1–0 defeat despite dominating large spells. Wisbech started brightly with fluid passing and strong movement, with Millie Hubbard dictating play in central midfield. However, their early chances went unfinished and Peterborough took the lead against the run of play in the 24th minute following a defensive error. Two injuries before half time forced a reshuffle and disrupted Wisbech’s rhythm, and although they battled hard in the second half they could not rediscover their earlier intensity. Annabelle McGregor was named Player of the Match for her relentless pressing and intelligent runs in attack.

The Men’s 5s development side ended their season on a high with an excellent performance against Peterborough 8s. Led by the experience of Jason Mallet, Wisbech’s young side showed impressive skill and enthusiasm. Goals from Niall Burton, two from Noah Harrison and two from Man of the Match Harry Shippey secured a convincing victory, with Harry Shippey also controlling the midfield alongside Sam Booty in an outstanding all-round display.

The Ladies 5s faced one of the league’s strongest sides in Spalding and unfortunately conceded inside the opening minute. Spalding’s attacking strength continued to test the defence throughout the first half as the visitors built a 4–0 lead by the break. Despite the scoreline, Wisbech showed excellent character in the second half, growing in confidence and creating several promising attacking moments while looking far more composed in possession. Spalding added three more goals to make the final score 7–0, but the effort and development shown by the team provided positive signs for the future. Alicja Mitera was named Player of the Match.

Thank you to everyone who has played, coached, umpired and come down and shown their support this season.