STRONG START TO SEASON CONTINUES FOR WTHC

Wisbech Town Hockey Club enjoyed another strong weekend, with six of the seven teams in action securing points, including the Ladies first team, who moved up to 3rd in East Hockey Division 1 North thanks to a 3-2 win away at Peterborough 2nd XI.

A good start from Wisbech saw Player of the Game Jo Bland, Sharon Empson, and Izzy Pope all putting pressure on the hosts, with Pope eventually finding captain Jo Gomm in the Peterborough circle to see the Fenland side go 1-0 up. Wisbech continued to work hard, and were eventually rewarded with a second goal through young forward Lilian Ley.

Peterborough struck back in the second half however, as Wisbech sat back too much, with the hosts able to draw level. Wisbech rallied, and showed great determination not to let the game slip away, and found themselves ahead once again when Jemima Mitchell fed the ball to Empson from a penalty corner, with the latter firing home to make it 3-2 to Wisbech.

“We made hard work of the game, but came away with the three points that we were hoping for.” Gomm said after the game. “The pace of the game was not as good as the week before, but the team should be proud of securing a win away from home. The desire and ability to bounce back and claim victory today is testament to how far the squad has come.”.  

The ladies face St Neots at Harecroft Road this weekend (2PM).

IZZY POPE PICKED UP AN ASSIST DURING THE LADIES 1ST XI VICTORY AT PETERBOROUGH

Despite going down 1-0 inside the opening ten minutes of their game against Ipswich and East Suffolk, the Mens first team bounced back to secure a 5-2 win on home turf on Saturday. Sam Markillie got Wisbech back on level terms, before Ryan Jackson applied the finish to a superb team goal to put the home side ahead. A third goal soon followed, with Dom Stannard’s close range finish capping off another free flowing move from Wisbech.

Markillie added his second goal of the game shortly after the restart, and while Ipswich was able to pull one goal back from a penalty corner, Fred Whatling’s finish put the results beyond doubt and secured victory for Wisbech.

“It was a fantastic team performance, and we deservedly secured the three points today.” team captain Charlie Baxter said. “There were notable performances from Dom Stannard, Ben Tarratt, and Fred Whatling, which really helped lay the foundations for the win, and put us in a good place ahead of next week's home game against St Ives.”.

The Mens second team was also victorious on Saturday, gaining an early lead when Johnny Garner’s ball across the St Neots D was turned in by a defender. A quickfire double from Tom Peggs saw Wisbech go 3-0 up before half time. 

Despite a strong start to the second half from the visitors, St Neots were briefly reduced to 10-men, when one of their players was sin-binned for dissent, allowing Wisbech to regain control of the game, with Peggs completing his hat trick, before young midfielder Ross Gardner finished from close range.

St. Neots grabbed a late consolation goal, but the 5-1 scoreline made it two wins from two to start the season for Jonathan Shippey’s side, who travel to Cambridge South 4th XI this weekend.

FRED WHATLING WAS ON TARGET FOR THE MENS 1ST XI

The Ladies 2nd XI recovered from a sluggish start to secure a point against Cambridge City 5th XI at Harecroft Road. While Emma Baker was able to find the net for Wisbech, Cambridge’s quick running and passing saw them take a 3-1 lead into the half time break.

Wisbech performed much better in the second half, creating more opportunities thanks to a much improved passing game, led by Olivia Jackson in midfield. A penalty corner opportunity allowed Wisbech to move within one goal of the visitors, with Sue Robinson’s initial shot taking several deflections before Oliwia Bolka managed to poke the ball into the net. Wisbech’s eventual equaliser also took a deflection, when Baker’s shot cannoned off the Cambridge defenders stick and into the net. Final score 3-3. 

The ladies travel to Cambridge South 4th team this weekend.

A rare Friday night game saw the Ladies 3rd XI travel to Peterborough, where a brace from Player of the Game Ali Monaghan helped Wisbech secure a 5-1 win against the city side. Lily Cooper, Louise Cooper, and Rachael Bateman were also on target for Fenland side, who host Ely City 3rd XI this weekend (10:30AM).

The Ladies 4th team fared less well on Saturday, going down 4-0 against St Ives 3rd XI at Harecroft Road. The ladies will hope to bounce back this weekend, when they travel to Newmarket 3rd XI.

The Mens 4th team staged a late come back at Peterborough 8th XI on Saturday night. Tied 0-0 at half time, Peterborough made a strong start to the second half, and found themselves 3-0 up with 15 minutes left in the game, before Wisbech captain Brandon Ruff pulled one back for his side.

Paul Jackson quickly added a second for Wisbech, before Player of the Game Mat Boyall pulled Wisbech level, all in the space of ten minutes. Boyall would go on to add a second goal just minutes from the end, securing a dramatic comeback victory for Wisbech.

“We weren't good enough in front of goal during the first half,” Ruff said “But we stuck together, and I think today really showed our team mentality. We’re very happy to come away with the three points today.".

Ruff’s side face Long Sutton 3rd XI this weekend, while the Mens 3rd XI return to action with a trip to St Neots 4th XI.