FIRST WIN FOR LADIES 4TH TEAM

Wisbech Town Hockey Club Ladies 1st XI picked up their sixth win from the opening ten games of the 2022/23 East Hockey season at the weekend, putting in a hard working performance to beat University of East Anglia at Harecroft Road.

The Fenland side got off to a great start when Natalie Ward scored from a penalty corner, her fifth goal of the season, only for the visitors to hit back against the run of play, converting a penalty corner opportunity of their own. Wisbech continued to press forward, and were rewarded for their efforts when captain Jo Gomm restored the lead shortly before halftime.

A strong second half performance ensured Wisbech remained on the front foot, moving the ball well through the midfield, before Player of the Game Hannah Welcher netted her first goal of the season to wrap up a 3-1 win, a result which leaves the team sitting in 5th place in Division 1 North.

“'The ladies have been working hard in training, with renewed confidence and enthusiasm.” Head Coach Drew Harvey said after the game. “Particularly notable has been the ability to translate training session tactics to game play, and the execution of a more clinical finish.”.

This week the Ladies head to Peterborough on Wednesday in the East Hockey Womens Tier 2 KO Championships, before travelling to 4th placed Norwich Dragons on Saturday.

HANNAH WELCHER WAS PLAYER OF THE GAME FOR THE LADIES 1ST XI (PHOTO: TIM CHAPMAN)

The Men’s 1st XI were left frustrated by another poor start, during their game away at Cambridge Nomads. An error strewn opening 20 minutes from the Fenland side saw Cambridge jump to a 3-0 lead before Wisbech started to find some rhythm.

An improved effort during the second half saw Sam Markillie score twice for Wisbech to keep them within touching distance, but a failure to convert any of their 13 penalty corner opportunities left Wisbech constantly chasing the game, which in turn left them vulnerable to Cambridge’s counter attacks, with the hosts scoring two goals during the half to run out 5-2 winners. The men will look to bounce back this weekend when they take on Cambridge South at Harecroft Road.

Wisbech Ladies fourth team celebrated their first ever win on Saturday, coming from behind to beat Cambridge South 6th XI at Harecroft Road. The visitors took the lead during the first half, entering the break 1-0 up, but a fantastic second half performance from Wisbech saw the ladies quickly back on level terms, before pulling away to secure the 3-points.

Claire Burton registered her first hattrick for the club, with Fiona Hamer-Philip, and Erika Harvey also finding the back of the net as Wisbech secured a 5-1 win, a result which saw them leapfrog Ely and Long Sutton in the Division 5 North West table.

“There was also some brilliant defensive play from the entire back line, and we worked hard together to dominate the second half of the match.” captain Ashleigh Lawrence said. The ladies travel to Ely City 3rd XI this weekend.

An impressive performance from the Men’s 2nd XI at St Ives saw Wisbech secure a 7-0 victory. Excellent work on the press saw Wisbech keep the ball in the St Ives half for much of the game, with Jason Mallett scoring four goals, while Tom Peggs, Bradley Burton, and Oliver Brown also got themselves on the scoresheet.

The result keeps Wisbech in 2nd place in Division 3 North West, 1-point ahead of St Neots, with a home game against Spalding 2nd XI coming up this weekend.

THE LADIES 4TH XI SECURED THEIR FIRST EVER WIN AT THE WEEKEND

A hard working performance from the Ladies 2nd XI at league leaders Ely City 1st XI almost saw the Fenland side secure a surprise win against their well organised hosts. A superb rearguard action underpinned Wisbech’s first half performance, with Sam Pritchard able to put the ladies in red ahead, after Sue Robinson’s shot was initially blocked by the hosts.

Ely were able to catch Wisbech on the break shortly before halftime however, levelling things ahead of the break. Wisbech continued to fight for every inch in the second half, with Olivia Jackson and Ellie Cavill working tirelessly down the right hand side of the pitch, but a second Ely goal saw Wisbech slip to a narrow defeat. 

“Despite the score, We should be happy with that performance” captain Harriet Bateman said after the game. “It leaves us in a safe midtable position ahead of this weekends game against Pelicans 2nd XI, our final game before the Christmas break.”.

The Ladies 3rd XI travelled to Cambridge University 4th XI, with the student side jumping out to an early 2-0 lead before Wisbech found their feet and pulled a goal back. A strong start to the second half saw Wisbech move the ball well, but unable to get back on level terms before Cambridge found the net again, with the University side walking away with a 6-1 win at the final whistle. Wisbech remain in 3rd place in Division 5 North West, with a home game against Pelicans 3rd XI coming up this weekend.

ROBIN MIDDLETON SCORED TWICE FOR THE MENS 3RD XI AT BOURNE-DDEPING (PHOTO: ADAM FAIRBROTHER)

The Men’s 3rd XI came back from a goal down to beat Bourne-Deeping 4th XI at Arthur Mellows Village College. While Wisbech had much of the early possession, it was the hosts who struck first, converting a penalty corner opportunity with a well struck shot. Wisbech struggled to break down the Bourne defence, but eventually equalised through Robin Middleton.

Wisbech started the second half in determined fashion, and were able to edge ahead when Middleton scored his second of the game. Bourne’s keeper made a string of remarkable saves to keep things close, until Rob McGregor added a third goal for Wisbech seven minutes from the end. This weekend, the Men take on Spalding 4th XI at Harecroft Road.
Another strong performance from the Men’s 4th XI helped underpin a 3-0 home win against Cambridge Nomads 4th XI. Wisbech claimed an early lead through captain Brandon Ruff, who converted a penalty flick, before Howard Atkins made it 2-0 to Wisbech shortly before halftime.

Cambridge responded positively in the second half, but were unable to break down the Wisbech defence before a brilliant team goal, which saw all eleven players touch the ball during the build up, was topped off by Kai Peggs to seal victory and all three points. Ruff’s side travels to Ely City 3rd XI this weekend.