DERBY DEFEATS FOR MENS 1ST AND 2ND XIs
Wisbech Town Hockey Club saw mixed results for its teams at the weekend, with the Ladies 1st XI slipping to a 4-0 defeat away at league leaders Ipswich 2nd XI in Division 1 North. Wisbech made a slow start to the game, conceding two goals in the opening seven minutes before a formation change saw the Fenland side begin to retain possession more comfortably, playing some good hockey heading into the halftime break.
Both sides continued to create chances during the second half, but it was the hosts who found the back of the net again, increasing their lead to four-goals before the final whistle, despite some strong play from Player of the Game Nat Ward in defence for Wisbech. The Ladies will look to get back to winning ways this coming weekend when they travel to Cambridge University 2nd XI.
The Men's first team started brightly in their game away at local rivals Pelicans HC, with Wisbech forcing their King’s Lynn-based opponents into a series of mistakes, leading to a deserved opener for the men in red when Dom Stannard’s shot from the top of the D found the back of the net. Wisbech were denied a second thanks to some excellent work from the Pelican’s goalkeeper, with the hosts able to draw level before the break after scoring from a penalty corner.
Wisbech continued to work hard in the second half, despite being pressed higher up the field by Pelicans, but found themselves unable to convert any of their chances, with two notable opportunities missed during the half. It proved costly, as Pelicans were awarded a penalty stroke late in the game, which was duly converted to seal a 2-1 victory.
“It was another game that we’ve played against a higher placed opposition, and lost by a single goal,” captain Charlie Baxter said following the game. “The performances have been good, but it is now about turning those performances into goals and wins.”.
DOM STANNARD SCORED FOR THE MENS 1ST XI AT PELICANS (PIC: ADAM FAIRBROTHER)
The Mens 2nd XI also slipped to defeat in their local derby with Division 3 North West leaders March Town at Neale Wade Academy. Wisbech took the lead through Jason Mallett, but the hosts were able to capitalise on errors from the Wisbech team to take a 3-1 lead into the halftime break.
The second half saw a flurry of green and yellow cards issued to both sides, but March were able to maintain the upper hand and increased their lead to 6-1, despite an improved effort from Wisbech as the half wore on. The men will be looking to regroup this weekend, when they host Cambridge Nomads 2nd XI.
Despite an early push back away at Bourne-Deeping 2nd XI, Wisbech Town Ladies 2nd XI did not miss a beat, soaking up early pressure from the hosts before taking the lead when Sam Pritchard’s pass found Alice Salmon at the back post. Sue Robinson put Wisbech two-up, converting a penalty flick, but Bourne-Deeping were able to pull a goal back before the break.
Wisbech pulled away during the second half, with Emma Baker scoring twice to put the Fenland side firmly in the driver's seat. Player of the Game Oliwia Bolka scored her first from a penalty corner, deflecting the ball in at the near post, before completing her brace by rounding the keeper to make it 6-1 to Wisbech, who host St Neots 2nd XI this weekend.
The Mens 3rd XI maintained their lead at the top of Division 5 North West, thanks to a 9-0 win over 3rd placed Ely City 3rd XI at Harecroft Road. Oliver Overland got Wisbech off to a great start when he scored after just five minutes, with Mat Boyall quickly adding a second for the home side. The young forwards would go on to complete their hat tricks before half time, with a strong defensive effort keeping Ely at bay.
Oliver Melton’s backhand finish extended Wisbech’s lead to 7-0 in the second half, before Overland scored his fourth goal of the game. Ciaran Lowe scored Wisbech’s final goal of the game, with the team hosting Cambridge South 6th XI this Saturday.
JASON MALLETT SCORED THE MENS 2ND XI’S LONE GOAL (PIC: ADAM FAIRBROTHER)
The Mens 4th XI were also in action in Division 5 North West, travelling to Cambridge University to face the university’s 4th XI, which sits 2nd in the league table. A relatively even first half saw the student side edge ahead thanks to a goal from a penalty corner, taking a 1-0 lead into halftime.
A 15-minute flurry in the second half saw the University outfit begin to pull away, scoring three quick goals. Wisbech continued to work hard, but tiring legs created further openings for the hosts, who managed to add four more goals before the end. This weekend the fourth team travels to St Ives 5th XI.
In East Hockey Women's Division 5 North West, Wisbech Town Ladies 4th XI hosted the Ladies 3rd XI, with the latter taking an early lead through Lily Cooper. The 3rd XI continued to control much of the play during the first half, with further goals coming from Freya Matthews, Ellie Cavill, Nancy Davies, and Rachael Bateman before the half time break.
The Ladies 4th XI were able to create more attacking opportunities in the second half, with young forward Isabel Herring making several surging runs forward, but two further goals from Cooper, to complete her hat trick, and a goal from Claire Burton saw the Ladies third team secure an 8-0 win. This weekend the 4th XI play Peterborough 5th XI, while the third team has a week off.