All Weather Hockey Weekend
Wisbech Hockey Club were back in action across a busy weekend of rearranged fixtures, with teams playing the matches postponed during the January cold snap and producing a mixture of determined performances and hard-fought contests on both Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday the Men’s 1s hosted Spalding and made the perfect start, Jason Mallett firing Wisbech ahead inside the opening minute. The match was played at a relentless tempo, with both sides creating chances, but Rob McGregor was outstanding in goal to repeatedly deny the visitors. Spalding eventually found an equaliser just before half-time and the second period followed a similar pattern, Wisbech pushing hard but unable to take their chances. A sharp counter-attack saw Spalding edge in front and, as Wisbech chased the game, a late short corner sealed a 3–1 defeat despite a committed display, with Rob taking Player of the Match.
The Men’s 2s travelled to Spalding with only 11 players and competed fiercely from the outset against opponents with a full bench. An early Spalding effort was ruled out before Kevin Shippey produced an excellent penalty flick save after Nick Osborn had been shown yellow. The hosts’ extra legs eventually told as they struck three times before the break, although Wisbech responded through a clinical short corner to trail 3–1 at half-time. Carrying injuries but refusing to fade, Wisbech battled in every area in the second half, with captain Kevin Shippey making further key stops and strong flank play from Jack Woollard and Daniel Klibanecz. Harry Shippey earned Man of the Match for a tireless shift up front, while Brodie added another short corner, but Spalding mirrored their first-half return to run out 6–2 winners in a scoreline that did not reflect Wisbech’s effort.
The Men’s 3s secured an impressive 4–1 away victory over Spalding 4s after a gritty first half ended goalless. A tactical reshuffle and the decision to man-mark Spalding’s main playmaker, brilliantly executed by Jordan Bown, swung the game in Wisbech’s favour after the interval. Goals from Elliot Peck, Oli Brown and a brace from Finley Morby-Jones earned a deserved win, with Jordan named Man of the Match for his decisive influence.
The Ladies 3s produced a spirited performance against the league leaders, Pelicans Hockey Club, starting brightly and taking an early lead when Laynie Thompson tapped in after Elana Freedman’s initial effort. Pelicans responded with sustained pressure and numerous short corners, eventually equalising in the 35th minute. Goalkeeper Ali Beel then starred in the second half, saving a penalty flick and making a string of outstanding stops to keep Wisbech in contention. A scrambled late short corner gave the hosts a 2–1 win, but it was a valiant display from Wisbech, with Ali named Player of the Match.
The Men’s 4s delivered a bright attacking display against Newmarket, in a game where the scoreline did not reflect the balance of play. Good passing football led to Jonathan Boyall levelling in the first half, and although defensive lapses allowed the opposition to extend their lead, Charlie Bester pulled another goal back as Wisbech pushed hard at 4–2. Chances came and went late on, but the performance of the younger players impressed, with Thomas Overland earning Man of the Match.
Sunday brought freezing, snowy conditions as the Ladies 2s travelled to face Cambridge South Hockey Club 3s in scenes reminiscent of a winter sports event. Wisbech welcomed back Sharon Empson in defence alongside the returning Georgia Ward and adopted a disciplined, defensive structure against the league leaders. A fiercely contested midfield battle saw chances at both ends, with Lily Cooper going close from a short corner as the first half ended goalless amid worsening weather. Cambridge South increased the pressure after the break and eventually broke through despite Kirstie Harrison’s efforts, while a Wisbech strike from Laura Dudley was ruled out. A strong final push could not produce an equaliser, but the battling performance keeps Wisbech firmly competitive in the division.
The Ladies 5s fought hard in a lively encounter against Newmarket Hockey Club, with goalkeeper Evana Hewitson-Townley producing a series of excellent early saves as the hosts pressed. Newmarket capitalised on rebounds and short corners to build a 4–1 half-time lead, Wisbech’s goal coming from Kimberley Mackett. The second half saw improved passing and attacking intent from Wisbech, with Millie Hubbard driving forward to score and several further chances created. Strong defensive work limited further damage, but Newmarket added once more to secure a 5–2 result in a match where Wisbech showed resilience and growing confidence despite the testing conditions.
