UNDEFEATED WEEKEND FOR WTHC LADIES
Wisbech Town HC Ladies section went undefeated last weekend, with three teams picking up victories, while the Ladies 4th XI claimed a hard earned draw against Peterborough.
The 1st XI travelled to Bury St. Edmunds, where a slow start allowed the hosts to apply some early pressure, putting Wisbech on the back foot. The Fenland side quickly regained its composure and began to move the ball well as the first half progressed, mounting more attacking pressure and winning multiple penalty corners, but found themselves unable to convert any of the chances created.
Wisbech continued to challenge the opposition, defending well and transferring the ball quickly to try and create further openings. Ten minutes before half time Wisbech were rewarded for their efforts when Izzy Pope scored from a penalty corner.
Following some tactical changes at the break, Wisbech started the second half with tenacity, but were matched by their hosts, who adopted a more attacking approach for the second half.
Wisbech defence continued to hold firm however, with Player of the Game Laura Bell increasing the ladies advantage with a good finish from a penalty corner, before making a dramatic goal line stop moments later to keep Wisbech 2-0 up.
The advantage held, with the ladies earning their first win on the road as a result of the victory, which saw the team move into joint 5th place in Division 1 North ahead of tough games against the league’s top-three in the coming weeks.
LAURA BELL WAS ON TARGET FOR WTHC LADIES 1ST XI AT BURY ST. EDMUNDS
The Men’s 1st XI were also victorious on Saturday, despite missing several players through injury, including captain Tom Jupp. Hosting 3rd-placed St. Neots at Harecroft Road, Wisbech settled any early nerves by quickly jumping to a 2-0 lead thanks to a close range finish from Jack Bass, before a strong solo run from Fred Whatling saw the forward fire the ball into the back of the net.
Despite this strong start from the home side, the remainder of the half was a much scrappier affair, and Wisbech struggled to find any flow to their game, maintaining their two-goal cushion at the break.
A much more composed and professional second half followed, with Whatling scoring his second goal of the game, while Sam Markillie and Danny Haynes also got themselves on the scoresheet to round out a 5-0 win, and ensure the team remains top of Division 2 North West with seven wins from seven.
Wisbech Men’s 2nd XI also secured a strong victory away at Cambridge City 5th XI, taking the lead after just 30-seconds through Matt Pooley before a brilliant deflected finish from Karle Belding put the men in red 2-0 up.
Jason Mallett made it 3-0 shortly after, with Belding and Pooley both adding a second goal each to make it 5-0 to Wisbech at half time.
Following some reorganisation from the hosts at half time, Wisbech found space harder to come by in the second half, but Josh Bell was able to add a sixth goal before the final whistle thanks to a thunderous strike from the top of the D.
LOUISE SANDALL SCORED WTHC LADIES 2ND XI’S WINNING GOAL VERSUS PELICANS
The Ladies 2nd XI edged out local rivals Pelicans 2nd XI in a close fought encounter at Harecroft Road. Wisbech started well, but struggled to find the back of the net, while the visitors pacy attack ensured the home side’s defence needed to remain on their toes.
Wisbech eventually took the lead through Louise Sandall, who scored from a penalty corner, with the ladies working hard to maintain their lead into the break as Pelicans piled on the pressure.
The two sides continued to trade chances in the second half, with Player of the Game Ali Beel making a series of saves in the Wisbech goal to keep her side ahead, and seal a 1-0 win.
The Men’s 3rd XI continued its strong start to the season thanks to a 3-2 win against St. Neots 3rd XI at Harecroft Road. Wisbech took the lead through Brodie Ellis, but a string of excellent saves from the St. Neots goalkeeper prevented Wisbech from extending their lead, and the visitors were able to pull level shortly before halftime when they converted a penalty corner opportunity.
Wisbech continued to work hard in the second half, but struggled to find a way past the visitors defence initially until Brandon Ruff finished a slick passing move with a close range finish. Ciaran Lowe added a third goal for Wisbech five minutes later, but a second St. Neots goal from a penalty corner setup a tense finish, with Wisbech able to hold on to claim the 3-points.
The result see Mike Lawrence’s side remain in 2nd place in Division 3 North West, level on points with leaders Cambridge South, but trailing on goal difference by one.
KARLE BELDING BAGGED A BRACE FOR THE MENS 2ND XI
The Men’s 4th XI travelled to Spalding, but found the going tough against a well drilled opposition. Goalkeeper Ian Bell made a number of saves to keep his side within touching distance of their Lincolnshire rivals, but the hosts pressure eventually told, with Spalding securing a 2-0 win.
The Ladies 3rd XI travelled south to face Newmarket’s Development Team, with the hosts taking the lead after 15-minutes, catching Wisbech on the break. A response came quickly from the ladies in red, with Freya Matthews seizing upon a mistake from the goalkeeper to equalise.
Matthews completed her brace in the second half, deflecting Laura Dudley’s initial shot into the goal to put Wisbech ahead following a sustained period of pressure on the Newmarket goal.
Wisbech Ladies 4th XI took on City of Peterborough 5th XI at Harecroft Road, with the visitors applying early pressure and eventually moving out to a 2-0 lead, despite several excellent saves from Wisbech goalkeeper Kirstie Harrison. The home side was able to pull a goal back before the break however, when they were awarded a penalty flick which was converted by Fiona Hamer-Phillip.
The two sides continued to battle in the second half, with Peterborough adding a third goal before Hamer-Phillip bagged a second goal to move Wisbech within one, and setup an exciting finish which would see Wisbech draw level ten minutes from the end when debutant Georgia Ward made a surging run down the right flank before her shot from a narrow angle deflected off a defender and into the net. Final score 3-3.
Photo Credit: Tim Chapman