FIRST WIN FOR MENS 5TH TEAM
It was a tough weekend for Wisbech Town HC sides, though there was a silver lining as the Mens 5th XI secured their first ever win.
The Mens 1st XI went into their match against the early pace setters in Division 1 North, Harleston Magpies 2nd XI, with belief that they could get a result from the game and started brightly, creating early chances. Harleston however took the lead from a penalty corner opportunity, adding a second goal from another penalty corner shortly after, converting on the rebound after the initial shot had been saved.
Wisbech continued to press to try and get back in the game, but were caught on the break on the stroke of half time, and found themselves 3-0 down. Despite efforts to salvage something from the game following the break, a second goal on the counter for Harleston put the visitors out of sight, with the Fenland side left further frustrated when Charlie Baxter’s late strike was ruled out. The Men will look to bounce back when they host Cambridge City 2nd XI on Saturday.
Captain Jo Gomm scored for the Ladies 1st XI, who picked up their first point of the season after making the long trip to Ipswich & East Suffolk on Saturday afternoon. The Ladies will look to move up the Division 1 North table when they travel to Bury St Edmunds 2nd XI at the weekend.
The Ladies 2nd XI hosted Cambridge City 6th XI in a close fought encounter at Harecroft Road. Neither side was able to break the deadlock during the first half, with Wisbech goalkeeper Lexie Klibanecz making a number of solid saves to keep things level at 0-0.
Cambridge managed to scramble the ball home mid-way through the second half, setting up a tense finale. Wisbech were awarded a penalty corner 40-seconds from the end, but found themselves unable to convert, allowing the visitors to leave with all 3-points. This weekend the Ladies host Long Sutton 1st XI.
Three goals from penalty corners helped Newmarket Mens 1st XI ease past Wisbech Mens 2nd XI, running out 5-0 winners. Jonathan Shippey’s side travel to title challengers Kettering 1st XI on Saturday.
A determined performance from the Ladies 3rd XI earned the team their first point of the season, following a 0-0 draw away at Cambridge Nomads 2nd XI. Player of the Game Charlotte Holt, and fellow youngster Esmae Melton both put strong showings, while goalkeeper Kirstie Harrison helped keep the hosts at bay. The ladies will look to build on the result when they travel to Newmarket 2nd XI on Saturday.
Jordan Bown was on target for the Mens 3rd XI, but his first half goal was not enough to help his side avoid defeat against an experienced Cambridge City 6th XI. The visitors also found the net during the first half, carrying a 2-1 lead into the half time break, before adding a third goal late in the game to secure victory. Wisbech will aim to get back to winning ways when they host Cambridge City 5th XI on Saturday.
The Ladies 4th XI travelled to Newmarket 3rd XI, putting in a good performance but unable to capitalise on the chances they created. Player of the Game Chloe Uddin was the architect of several opportunities for Wisbech, while goalkeeper Rachael Archard made a number of good saves to keep the hosts at bay.
Despite the Ladies’ efforts, Newmarket managed to grab a late winner from a penalty corner chance to mar what was otherwise a great team performance from Wisbech, who host Pelicans 3rd XI at Harecroft Road at the weekend.
Cole Hewitson-Townley scored twice during the first half to help the Mens 5th XI secure a 4-3 victory away at Peterborough 8th XI. Willis Ruff also got on the scoresheet for Wisbech, who celebrated their first win as a team following their formation in the summer. The team hosts Cambridge South 7th XI on Saturday.
Sunday morning saw the Ladies 5th XI host Bourne-Deeping 3rd XI in a Development game, with both sides fielding a number of young players. Maisie Black went close to opening the scoring for Wisbech during the first half, only for her shot on goal to be cleared off the line to leave the two sides level at 0-0 entering the break.
Wisbech took the lead through Annabelle McGregor, scoring her first senior goal, 15 minutes into the second half, but Bourne-Deeping were quick to reply, scrambling the ball home to equalise. The visitors continued to create chances, with Player of the Game Eve Clark making a number of interceptions for Wisbech to help keep things level, but eventually the visitors did manage to grab a second goal and the lead. Black went close again late in the game, but Wisbech were unable to pull level before the final whistle. The ladies travel to St Ives 4th XI this weekend.
PHOTO CREDIT: TIM CHAPMAN