WTHC LADIES 1ST XI REMAINS UNBEATEN
Wisbech Town Hockey Club Ladies 1st XI continued their fine start to the 2022/23 season with a 2-1 home win against St Neots. Player of the Game Claire Apted put Wisbech ahead with a deflected effort on her backhand during the first half, but the two sides entered the break tied at 1-1.
The Ladies continued to mount pressure on the St Neots end during the second half, winning several penalty corners, with Nat Ward able to convert one such opportunity to secure the crucial second goal. Wisbech were able to create further chances, but could not add to their tally before the end.
“I’m proud of the team for winning another 3-points” team captain Jo Gomm said afterwards. “We created lots more goal scoring opportunities, and it was great to have Claire (Apted) playing first team hockey again, along with Emma Baker stepping up from our second team, and Rhianna Regan returning to the club; it gives us great depth in our squad for the year ahead.”.
Wisbech will also welcome back Laura Bell from international duty at the Masters World Cup, and Hannah Welcher for this weekends trip to Watton.
The Mens 1st XI made a good start to their game against St Ives, managing to create several counter attacking opportunities early on, with Ryan Jackson and Sam Markillie helping the home side take a 2-0 lead. Despite the advantage, Wisbech never seemed to be fully in control of the game, but did manage to score twice more on the counter, with Jackson adding his second of the match, before Dan Crossley also hit the back of the net.
St Ives continued to push forward, playing some good hockey at times, and were eventually rewarded with a goal from a penalty corner, adding a second goal, again from a penalty corner, on the stroke of halftime.
Wisbech sought to gain a foothold in the second half, and protect their lead, but found themselves unable to stop the bleeding, and a failure to clear the defensive zone led to a third St Ives goal. The visitors were level soon after, scoring from a penalty corner once again, before adding a fifth and then sixth goal before the end.
“We wanted to limit penalty corner opportunities during this game, and we simply failed to do that,” captain Charlie Baxter said after the game. “It’s an extremely frustrating result for all of us, especially having managed to take a lead into the halftime break. We’ll look to reset next week, when we travel to Dereham.”
JEMIMA MITCHELL PUT IN A GOOD PERFORMANCE FOR THE 2ND XI AT CAMBS SOUTH
The Mens 2nd XI travelled to Cambridge South 4th XI, with the hosts starting the stronger of the two sides, capitalising on a Wisbech defensive error to score from a penalty corner. Wisbech were quick to respond however, with Josh Porter scoring twice, before Jason Mallett made it 3-1 to Wisbech heading into the break.
The Fenland side continued to press forward in the second half, with some excellent passing and movement, but found themselves unable to increase their lead before the final whistle.
“It was an excellent team performance from all on the pitch,” captain Kev Shippey said following the match, “And a thoroughly well deserved win.”. Shippey’s side hosts Peterborough 5th XI this weekend (12:15PM).
The Ladies 2nd XI took a young side to Cambridge South, with nine of the travelling twelve players aged 18 or under, including goalkeeper Lexie Klibanecz, who made a series of strong saves as part of a positive opening to the game for Wisbech, who were unlucky to find themselves a goal down at the break.
Harriet Bateman’s side continued to hold the majority of possession, and created several opportunities during the second half - with Player of the Game Jemima Mitchell helping pull the strings in midfield - but could not find the back of the net, slipping further behind when the hosts saw not one but two shots on goal deflected past Klibanecz.
“We felt we were the better team in open play, but didn’t execute our chances; it’s a disappointing loss for us really.” said Bateman, whose team welcomes St Ives 2nd XI to Harecroft Road this weekend (2:30PM).
JOSH PORTER SCORED TWICE FOR THE MENS 2ND XI (PHOTO: EDWARD LUBBOCK)
The Ladies 3rd XI moved to the top of Division 5 North West thanks to a 4-0 win against Ely City 3rd XI at Harecroft Road. Claire Burton put Wisbech ahead, before Stephanie Leeks doubled the lead with a close range finish, but a series of fine saves from the Ely goalkeeper prevented Wisbech from furthering their advantage before halftime.
Wisbech continued to push forward in the second half, with Player of the Game Amber Crossley-King making a series of surging runs forward from midfield, but Ely continued to work hard in defence. The home side did eventually secure a third goal, with Erin Brook scoring, before Nancy Davies rounded out the victory with a calm finish from a penalty flick. The Ladies travel to St Ives 4th XI on Saturday.
Four-goals from captain Mike Lawrence helped the Mens 3rd XI secure a 6-0 win away at St Neots fourth team. The hosts goalkeeper made a number of great saves early in the game, but goals from Rob McGregor and Oliver Overland saw Wisbech take a 2-0 lead into the break. The St Neots goalkeeper continued to help keep his side in the game, but Wisbech slowly pulled away during the second half, with Lawrence scoring all four goals during the frame. This weekend, the men host Peterborough 7th XI (4:15PM).
The Mens 4th XI were also victorious at the weekend, beating local rivals Long Sutton 3-1. After a goalless first half, captain Brandon Ruff scored twice for Wisbech to move his side ahead, before Robin Middleton added a third for the home team.
"I can't fault any of the boys today,” Ruff said following the win. “After the effort we put into training, I'm proud of the squad and the determination we’ve shown to improve. It’s a great feeling to be so competitive.". Ruff’s side travel to Bourne-Deeping 4th XI this weekend.