MIXED RESULTS ON WET WEEKEND
A wet weekend saw mixed results for Wisbech Town HC, with some big wins and frustrating losses among the nine games played.
Following a difficult start to the season, the Mens 1st XI travelled to Peterborough 2nd XI. With the rain pouring, the home side started stronger and found themselves a goal up after scoring from a penalty corner opportunity five minutes into the game, but Player of the Game Dan Crossley was able to pull Wisbech level shortly after, crashing the ball home from a tight angle.
Wisbech began to get a foothold in the game, pressing effectively to help win back possession, but found themselves 2-1 down shortly before half time, following the award of a penalty stroke after the ball struck a defenders foot on the goal line.
The Fenland side were not out of the game however, and came out fighting in the second half, but were caught out on the break to go 3-1 down. Danny Haynes pulled one back for the visitors, deflecting the ball past Peterborough’s goalkeeper from a well worked penalty corner opportunity. Wisbech were left frustrated when a second penalty stroke was awarded to Peterborough shortly before the end however, opening up a 4-2 lead for the hosts with just minutes left to play. The men have a week off before resuming league action against Norwich City 2nd XI on November 2nd.
The Ladies 1st XI were also left frustrated following a 4-1 loss to Saffron Walden at Harecroft Road. The visitors scored twice in the closing minutes of the first half, scoring twice more in quick succession during the second half, while Jane Proctor managed to pull a goal back for Wisbech, who will shift focus to the England Hockey Tier 2 Cup competition next week when they host Sudbury.
EMMA BAKER WAS ON TARGET FOR WTHC LADIES 2ND XI
A slow start from the Ladies 2nd XI cost them away at Huntingdon and Northstowe 1st XI. Goalkeeper Sarah Labross put in a Player of the Game performance to help keep her side in the game, while Emma Baker added another goal to her tally for the season as Wisbech improved as the game progressed, but the ladies ultimately slipped to a 3-1 defeat.
Ana Norman’s hat trick helped the Ladies 3rd XI secure an 8-0 win over Cambridge South 6th XI. Player of the Game Izzy Herring opened the scoring for Wisbech from a penalty corner, with Fiona Hamer-Phillip, Becky Gillick, and youngsters Yasmin Ibrahim and Isabella Burton joining Norman on the scoresheet. The win helped move the Ladies up to 7th in the Division 4 North West table, following their promotion last year.
The Mens 3rd XI travelled to Kettering 2nd XI, and found themselves a goal down at half time despite a string of saves from Player of the Game Josh Shippey in the Wisbech goal. The hosts made it 2-0 early in the first half before Kieran Hallatt pulled a goal back for the Fenland side with a low finish from a penalty corner opportunity.
Wisbech battled hard for an equaliser, but a late goal for Kettering secured the 3-points for the hosts.
DOM STANNARD SCORED FOR THE MENS 4TH XI AGAINST CAMBS SOUTH
A hard-working performance from the Mens 4th XI helped secure a 2-0 win against Cambridge South 5th XI. Dom Stannard opened the scoring for Wisbech mid-way through the first half, firing home off the inside of the post, while the Wisbech defence did an excellent job of limiting the visitors' opportunities.
Player of the Game Finley Morby-Jones provided a constant threat to the visitors, as Wisbech pushed for a second goal. The hosts were eventually rewarded when Brandon Ruff deflected the ball into the goal to help secure the 3-points as Wisbech moved up to 5th in the Division 5 North West league table.
The Ladies 4th XI went into their game against St Neots 3rd XI hoping to build on the previous week's victory, but were ultimately beaten by the experienced visitors. While the Wisbech defence worked hard through the full 70 minutes, St Neots opened up a 3-0 lead before the break, eventually sealing a 7-0 win.
Bailey Hanrahan, Millie Hubbard, and Laura Dudley all scored their first goals for the club, as the Ladies 5th XI secured a 3-0 win away at Huntingdon and Northstowe 2nd XI. Wisbech were able to attack high up the field from the outset, with Hanrahan opening the scoring for the visitors, before Hubbard scored from a penalty corner to make it 2-0.
Wisbech continued to create opportunities to extend their lead, with Dudley making it 3-0 ten minutes from the end as the ladies collected their second win of their inaugural season.
A young Mens 5th XI travelled to Ely City 3rd XI, playing some good hockey but unable to find a way past their more experienced hosts, with Ely running out 6-0 winners.
League action pauses for one week now, with the schedule set to resume on Saturday November 2nd.