UNBEATEN START TO NEW SEASON FOR WTHC
Wisbech Town Hockey Club enjoyed an unbeaten start to the 2022/23 hockey season, with both the Mens and Ladies 1st XI securing draws on the opening weekend of their respective Division 1 North campaigns.
The Mens 1st team looked to get off to a good start in their game away at Bury St Edmunds, but were quickly put on the back foot when the hosts scored from the first play of the game. When a second followed within five minutes, it appeared as if it could be a long afternoon for the men in red, but Wisbech were able to put their dreadful defensive start behind them, and slowly began to gain a foothold in the game.
Wisbech came out fighting in the second half, and pushed hard for a goal, and were eventually rewarded when Player of the Game Tom Jupp made a brilliant forward run before setting up Ben Tarratt for Wisbech’s opening goal. Wisbech continued to push forward against a tiring opposition, and found themselves level when Jupp made another surging run forward, finding the back of the net to make it 2-2. Jupp was denied a second goal from a late penalty corner opportunity, with the Bury St Edmunds goalkeeper making a superb save to keep the game level in the dying seconds.
This weekend, the Mens first team host Ipswich and East Suffolk this weekend (2:45PM), looking to go one better and secure a first win of the season.
The Ladies 1st XI started the season with a tough home fixture against Dereham, who were relegated from the Premier Division last year. And it was the visitors who took the lead after five minutes, scoring a somewhat scrappy goal as Wisbech made a slow start to the game, but the Norfolk side were unable to increase their lead as Wisbech goalkeeper Lexie Klibanecz made a series of crucial saves to keep the home side within touching distance.
Wisbech’s defensive determination was rewarded shortly before the half time break, when Laura Bell’s long ball forward found team captain Jo Gomm , whose shot was deflected into the Dereham goal to level the score.
LAURA BELL PICKED UP AN ASSIST DURING WTCH LADIES 1ST XI DRAW WITH DEREHAM
Where Dereham had seen the majority of possession in the first half, the second half was a more even affair, as Wisbech midfielder Izzy Pope began to stamp her authority on the centre of the field, while the home sides defensive unit - Bell, Natalie Ward, Jo Bland, and Katie Punter - held firm with a series of strong tackles to secure a well earned point.
“'A draw was a fair result,” Gomm said following the final whistle. “The game demonstrated that we are quite capable of holding our own against one of the top sides in the league, which is very encouraging for the season ahead.”
This weekend, the Ladies are away at Peterborough 2nd XI, though they will be without Bell, who will miss the next two games due to international duty, where she will be representing England Over 45s at the upcoming Masters World Cup in South Africa.
Wisbech Ladies second team travelled to Huntingdon with a strong side and positive mindset, but found themselves needing to adapt to a slow pitch and a host keen to make a fast start to the game. Momentum swung back and forth between the two sides, with Huntingdon taking the lead, only for Wisbech to hit back through Emma Baker; the hosts would go on to score again, but Wisbech found a way to pull level, this time thanks to a fantastic diving finish from Player of the Game Claire Apted.
Huntingdon secured a third goal before the half time break, but Baker restored parity shortly after the restart as the game continued to ebb and flow. A brace from Ali Monaghan, and a goal from young star Emma Markillie helped see Wisbech over the line, securing a dramatic 6-5 win.
“Our communication and short, sharp passing was so important,” captain Harriet Bateman said following the game. “We had to push hard for the win; it was a goal fest, but a brilliant way to start the season.”. Bateman’s side hosts Cambridge City 5th XI this Saturday (1:15PM).
The Mens 2nd XI made a strong start to their games away at Bourne-Deeping, with youngsters Jack Woollard and John Lawrence impressing early on. Some good work from Matt Pooley helped Wisbech win the ball, and then a penalty corner opportunity after 15 minutes, with Kieran Hallett converting to put Wisbech 1-0 up.
Bourne-Deeping pushed hard for an equaliser, and found themselves with an advantage when Woollard received a green card, followed by a yellow card for Ciaran Lowe. Wisbech worked hard defensively to maintain their lead, and sought a second once their players returned from the sin bin, with both Pooley and Lowe firing wide during the second half. A late flurry around the Wisbech goal might have seen the hosts level, but a brilliant stick save from goalkeeper Kev Shippey denied Bourne-Deeping an equaliser, and secured a hard won 3-points for Wisbech, who host St. Neots this weekend (11:45AM).
KEV SHIPPEY’S LAST MINUTE SAVE SECURED 3-POINTS FOR WTHC MENS 2ND XI
Four-goals from Eliott Peck helped the Mens 3rd XI to a 5-1 win away at Cambridge Nomads 4th XI. Peck opened the scoring inside the first five minutes, firing home from a penalty corner opportunity to set Wisbech on their way. The hosts pushed for an equaliser, but could not find a way past the Wisbech defence, with Peck adding his second from open play to give Wisbech a 2-0 advantage at the break.
A strong start to the second half saw Peck score twice more, before Robin Middleton capped off a fast moving attack from Wisbech to make it 5-0. As Wisbech tired late in the game, Cambridge was able to grab a consolation goal. This weekend the Men host St Ives 5th team (4:15PM).
The Ladies 3rd XI also secured a big win, beating Long Sutton 2nd XI 6-0 at Harecroft Road. Despite a slow start to the game, Ellie Cavill’s goal helped settle any nerves and push Wisbech to pick up the pace, with Player of the Game Isabel Herring bagging a brace, with goals also coming from Lily Cooper, Louise Cooper, and Nancy Davies.
A first ever senior goal from Willis Ruff set the Mens 4th team on its way to a big 8-1 win at home to Cambridge South 6th XI. Ruff opened the scoring after 15 minutes, and while Cambridge was quickly able to draw level, goals from Matt Boyall, and team captain Brandon Ruff saw Wisbech take a 3-1 lead into the break.
Boyall and Willis Ruff both scored again shortly after the restart, before Ollie Smithee and Jon Boyall also found the back of the net. Brandon Ruff completed his brace late in the game.
Ruff’s side travel to Peterborough this weekend, to face the city club’s 8th XI, while the Ladies 4th XI hosts St Ives 3rd XI (10:15AM).