LADIES 1s GET BACK TO WINNING WAYS

Wisbech Town Hockey Club Ladies 1st XI rediscovered their form at the weekend, picking up an impressive 4-1 win against Norwich City 2nd XI at Harecroft Road. Having suffered three defeats on the bounce, a slow start from Wisbech threatened to cause more frustration for the Fenland side, with Norwich taking a 1-0 lead after just ten minutes.

The home side were quick to regain their composure however, doing an excellent job of tightening up defensively and retaining possession to put pressure on Norwich. Eventually Wisbech were rewarded for their improved play, with Georgie Dunn slipping the ball through to Jemima Mitchell, who rounded the Norwich keeper to equalise before the halftime break.

Dunn turned goalscorer shortly after the restart, finishing on her reverse side following good work from Laura Bell and Hannah Welcher to create the chance. Wisbech were able to further extend their lead from penalty corner opportunities, with captain Jo Gomm scoring first, before Natalie Ward added Wisbech’s fourth and final goal. The result moves Wisbech up into 5th in Division 1 North. 

Captain Jo Gomm said “It was great to get back to our winning ways with such positive hockey, from a team who are playing with structure, teamwork and a raw desire to win.” Gomm said following the game.

GEORGIE DUNN PICKED UP A GOAL AND AN ASSIST IN THE LADIES 1ST XI WIN

The Mens 1st XI also made a slow start to their game away at Cambridge University 2nd XI, and found themselves 3-0 down at the break. A much improved second half performance saw Jason Esser score from a penalty corner shortly after the restart, before Tom Jupp quickly added a second goal for Wisbech, who continued to push forward in search of an equaliser. Whilst the bulk of the pressure was on the University side’s goal, the hosts were able to grab a counter-attacking goal against the run of play to extend their lead to 4-2, only for Wisbech to hit back through Jack Bass moments later.

Wisbech’s quest for an equaliser was hampered by a controversial yellow card for Danny Haynes shortly after however; with the midfielder in the sin bin for ten minutes, Wisbech were forced to play out the remainder of the game with ten men. Despite their best efforts to draw level, Cambridge were awarded a penalty flick late in the game, after the Wisbech goalkeeper had been adjudged to have fouled one of the University players. The flick was duly converted, sealing a 5-3 win for the University. Wisbech will attempt to get back to winning ways this weekend, when they host Cambridge City 3rd XI.

The Mens 2nd XI travelled to Cambridge South 3rd XI knowing a victory would see them leapfrog their hosts, and move back into 2nd place in Division 3 North West. In a lively first half, Wisbech took the lead thanks to Oli Brown’s drag flick from a penalty corner opportunity, but failed to make further chances count, with Cambridge equalising shortly before halftime.

In an increasingly physical second half, with several hard tackles coming from both sides, it was Wisbech who again edged ahead thanks to Player of the Game Matt Pooley, who found space at the back post before firing the ball home. Cambridge were presented with a late opportunity to pull level from a penalty corner, but Wisbech’s defence held firm to see the Fenland side claim a valuable 3-points. Next week, the Men meet local rivals Long Sutton 2nd XI at Harecroft Road.

MENS 2ND XI GOALKEEPER KEV SHIPPEY

A sluggish start to the game at Spalding 2nd XI saw Wisbech Ladies second team slip to a 4-0 deficit during the first half, with a series of mistakes allowing the hosts to open up a strong lead through the first 35-minutes.

Following something of a reset at halftime, Wisbech made a good start to the second half. Some smart work from Ali Mason and Kate Penn at a penalty corner saw Spalding concede a penalty flick, which was converted by Sue Robinson to get Wisbech on the board. A slick passing move through the midfield allowed Emma Baker to set up Louise Sandall for Wisbech’s second goal shortly after, but the Fenland side was unable to find any further goals, with Spalding claiming a 4-2 win. Wisbech will look to get back to winning ways on home soil next weekend, when they host Kettering 3rd XI.

Wisbech Mens 3rd XI maintained their place at the top of Division 5 North West thanks to a 6-0 win away at Peterborough 8th XI. Rob McGregor put Wisbech ahead ten minutes into the game, before captain Mike Lawrence’s smart through ball found Calvin Bishop, with Bishop able to knock the ball past Peterborough’s onrushing keeper and into the net. Lawrence then made it 3-0 with a powerful backhand finish before the break.

McGregor bagged his second of the game early in the second half, before setting up Robin Middleton for Wisbech’s fifth goal. Oliver Overland then rounded out the win with a smart finish under pressure. Wisbech will look to continue their good run of form against Long Sutton 3rd XI on Saturday.

CIARAN LOWE WAS ON TARGET FOR THE MENS 4TH XI

The fourth team were also in action against Peterborough, facing the city side’s 7th XI. Wisbech made a bright start to the game, with Ciaran Lowe’s initial shot saved by the Peterborough keeper, before captain Brandon Ruff was able to poke home the rebound. Ruff scored his second goal of the game shortly after, deflecting Ollie Smithee’s powerful drive past the Peterborough goalkeeper.

Both sides created attacking opportunities in the second half, with Howard Atkins’ strike from the top of the D edging Wisbech further ahead, before Lowe made it 4-0 to Wisbech seven minutes from the end.

“Everyone was on the ball today and I can't fault anyone’s effort.” Ruff said after the game.

The Ladies 3rd XI travelled to Division 5 North West leaders St Ives 3rd XI, with Wisbech winning an early penalty corner, which was smartly executed by Lily Cooper. Despite creating further opportunities, Wisbech were unable to increase their lead, and soon found themselves on the backfoot as St Ives grabbed two late goals to take a 2-1 lead into halftime.

The hosts continued to press forward in the second half, and despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Kirstie Harrison and the Wisbech defence, St Ives slowly pulled away, eventually sealing a 6-1 win.

“It was a good effort by the whole team against a strong opposition.” captain Andrea Eggleton said after the game. “We kept working hard, and Kirstie (Harrison) and Emily Clare both put in a great performance to try and help keep us in it.”

LILY COOPER SCORED FOR THE LADIES 3RD XI AT ST IVES

The Ladies 4th XI secured their first ever point, thanks to a 0-0 draw with Ely City 3rd XI at Harecroft Road. Wisbech defended well from the outset, led by centre back Fiona Hamer-Philip, who was named Player of the Game, whilst Amber King and Freya Matthews both made excellent forward runs as part of a strong all round performance from the Fenland side, who will travel to St Ives 4th XI this weekend.

“I’m incredibly proud of this team, we have come such a long way in a relatively short space of time.” captain Ashleigh Lawrence said. “We are a newly formed team this season, designed for newcomers to the sport, as well as young players making their first steps into Senior hockey, and the work and effort everyone has put in to improve was on show today.” 

Wisbech’s Mixed sides were also in action at the weekend, in the Tier 1 KO Championship Cup, with Wisbech Mixed A hosting Dereham at Harecroft Road. A fast start from the home side saw Sam Markillie put Wisbech ahead, before Dereham fought back to claim a 2-1 lead at halftime.

A revitalised Wisbech quickly got back on level terms early in the second half, with Fred Whatling applying the finish to an excellent team goal, before Izzy Pope scored from a penalty corner. Whatling grabbed his second of the game before the end, with a close range finish to secure a 4-2 win.

The Mixed B team were away St Neots, with Paul Lawrence putting Wisbech ahead, only for the hosts to quickly equalise - forming something of a pattern for the remainder of the game, with Oliwia Bolka scoring for Wisbech, only for St Neots to respond with a goal of their own shortly after.

Wisbech again took the lead in the second half, when Emma Webb scored from a penalty corner, but once again St Neots found an equaliser, and the game was decided by penalty flicks. Wisbech goalkeeper Ali Beel saved two flicks, with Webb, Lawrence, Kieran Hallatt, and Brandon Ruff all scoring from the spot for Wisbech to secure victory.

The Mixed sides will find out who their opponents are in the second round of the competition this week, with games provisionally scheduled to take place on December 11th.