FRUSTRATING WEEK FOR 1ST XIs
It was a frustrating weekend for many of Wisbech Town hockey club’s sides, with the Men’s 1st XI slipping into the relegation zone following a 4-1 defeat at home to Harleston Magpies.
Wisbech pre-game preparations took a hit when one player was ruled out on the morning of the game, whilst a second was injured during warm up - although the latter was able to play following treatment. Despite these setbacks, Wisbech started well, and nearly took the lead in the first minute, before Harleston opened up a 2-0 advantage. Wisbech continued to work hard, and pulled a goal back through Tom Jupp on the stroke of half time.
The home side sought to put some pressure on during the second half, as they chased an equaliser, but could not make their opportunities count, with Harleston adding two further goals inside the final five minutes of the game.
This weekend, the first team travels to Cambridge South, who sit just two points ahead of Wisbech in the league table, with the Fenland side among five teams trying to steer themselves away from the final relegation spot, with Bury. St Edmunds, Bourne-Deeping, and Sudbury already relegated.
The Ladies 1st XI travelled to league leaders Bury St. Edmunds, and quickly found themselves a goal down after a defensive error let the hosts in. Wisbech did not let this early disappointment sway them however, stringing together some excellent passing moves, but a second Bury goal before half time left Wisbech with much to do.
JO GOMM WAS ON TARGET FOR THE LADIES 1ST XI (📸: ADAM FAIRBROTHER)
The Fenland side made the best possible start to the second half, with young defender Olivia Jackson intercepting the ball, before sending forward Jo Gomm through on goal, with Gomm duly finding the back of the net. Wisbech scored a second through Sharon Empson, but Bury St. Edmunds converted a short corner opportunity to maintain a narrow lead entering the closing stages.
Gomm and Georgie Dunn both went close for Wisbech, narrowly shooting wide on each occasion, but Bury held on to secure a 3-2 win. The result makes this weekend’s home games against UEA a virtual must win for Wisbech, with the University side sitting just one place below Jo Bland’s side in the Division 1 North table. UEA also hold one game in hand, but a win for Wisbech would put them six points clear of the relegation zone with two games to play.
Wisbech Ladies 2nd team also faced a tough test at the weekend, hosting 3rd placed Ely City in Division 3 North West. Wisbech made a flying start to the game, with Jane Peggs and Emma Baker combining to allow Peggs to score the opening goal of the game. The home side went 2-0 up when a shot from a short corner ricocheted off an Ely defender and into the net, before some great team work from Player of the Game Lucy Prior and Oliwia Bolka helped to set up Baker for Wisbech’s third goal.
With Ely also scoring during the first half, Wisbech were not out of the woods, and as the game wore on the visitors clawed their way back into the contest, eventually taking the lead, before adding a fifth goal late on to secure a 5-3 win. Despite the end result, captain Harriet Bateman was pleased with her team’s effort:
“While it was not the result we wanted, it was one of our best performances of the season. The link up play between the defence, midfield, and our attacking duo was excellent, and goalkeeper Louisa Thompson made some great saves to keep us in the game during the second half.”
The ladies face a tough test this weekend, when they travel to table toppers Newmarket, who have already clinched the league title.
HARRIET BATEMAN WAS PLEASED WITH HER SIDES EFFORTS (📸: MIKE BENNETT)
A strong second half performance saw the Men's second team run out 8-0 winners against Cambridge Nomads at Harecroft Road. In a hard fought first half, Josh Porter's goal gave Wisbech a slender lead at half time, before Wisbech began to pull away in the second period.
Forward Jonny Garner bagged a hat trick, whilst Dan Martell, Mike Lawrence, Matt Pooley, and captain Jonathan Shippey all found the back of the net against a tiring Cambridge side, whose woes were compounded by a red card, and injury to one of their centre backs, as Wisbech ran riot.
The result leaves Shippey’s side still in 2nd place in Men’s Division 3 North West, however Wisbech have played more games than the teams immediately below them, and face a tough test at league leaders Ely this weekend.
Despite heavy rain, Wisbech Men’s 3rd XI did not see their spirits dampened as they travelled to Ely to face the city side’s second team. Strong defending from Ciaran Lowe, Ross Gardner, and Chris Middleton prevented the hosts from scoring from open play, but two well worked short corner routines saw Ely take a 2-0 lead into the break.
Wisbech rallied in the second half however, with Brandon Ruff applying the finish to a well worked team goal. Reinvigorated, Wisbech continued to move the ball well through the midfield, and equalised through Ross Gardner, following some quality build up play from Player of the Game Gary Freear, team captain Brodie Ellis, and George Gowler.
Gowler almost snatched a late victory for Wisbech, firing narrowly wide, but the two sides shared the points at the final whistle, as the game finished 2-2. Ellis’s side hosts Cambridge South 5th XI this weekend (12PM).
The Ladies 3rd XI were unlucky not to pick up at least a point after a strong performance against St. Ives side at Harecroft Road. Captain, and Player of the Game, Nicola Greville led the way in a fine defensive performance from Wisbech, but St. Ives' lone marker proved enough to claim victory. Greville’s side will look to bounce back away at Cambridge South 6th XI this weekend.
In a rare double header this week, the Men’s 4th team take on league leaders Spalding 5th XI on Wednesday (7PM), before hosting City of Peterborough 8th XI on Saturday (3:45PM).