LADIES 1ST TEAM DENIED BY LATE GOAL
It was a weekend of fine margins for Wisbech Town Hockey Club’s teams, with two sides collecting their first wins of the season, while others secured valuable points during game week four of the season.
The Ladies 1st XI travelled to Bury St Edmunds 2nd XI for their second away game in a row, looking to pick up more points and move up the Division 1 North table. Fielding a young side, Wisbech pressed high from the start and forced several turnovers to help create attacking opportunities, but found themselves a goal down before the break.
The Fenland side looked to move the ball more quickly in the second half, with Player of the Game Ellie Cavil helping to link the defence and attack with a series of leading runs from midfield. Wisbech were rewarded for their efforts when Alice Salmon found the back of the net to equalise.
Wisbech continued to push forward and took the lead through captain Jo Gomm, who rounded the Bury St Edmund’s keeper to score her fourth goal in as many games. Switching to a more defensive system, Wisbech sought to close out the game, but a Bury St Edmunds counterattack led to a late penalty corner, from which the hosts managed to equalise.
“It’s another point secured,” Gomm said following the game. “Confidence is high that we can turn the last two draws into wins when we meet these sides again at home later in the season”. The ladies take on newly promoted Saffron Walden at Harecroft Road this weekend.
ALICE SALMON WAS ON TARGET FOR WTHC LADIES 1ST XI.
The Mens 1st XI looked to make use of home advantage on Saturday, but succumbed to a 3-0 loss to Cambridge City 2nd XI. The visitors started strongly, and came close to taking the lead on several occasions from both open play, and penalty corner opportunities, but were denied by some resolute defending from Wisbech, led by Player of the Game Charlie Baxter, and goalkeeper Rob McGregor.
With the game still tied at 0-0 entering the second half it was all to play for, but an early penalty corner opportunity for Cambridge saw the city side take the lead, doubling their advantage shortly after following a defensive breakdown from the home side.
Wisbech worked hard to try and find a way back into the game, and created numerous chances but found themselves unable to convert. A misplaced pass from a defensive free hit allowed Cambridge to extend their lead to 3-0, and while Wisbech had some late opportunities, the City keeper made some excellent saves to maintain his side’s lead. Wisbech will look to bounce back at Peterborough 2nd XI on Saturday.
It was a tough day for the Mens 2nd XI too, who slipped to a 6-0 defeat at Division 2 North West favourites Kettering. The men now have a two-week break before their next game, when they will travel to Cambridge Nomads.
Goals from Emma Baker and Sue Robinson helped the Ladies 2nd XI secure a point against Long Sutton 1st XI at Harecroft Road. In a back and forth affair, Player of the Game Georgia Ellis made a number of key saves in the Wisbech goal, while Baker and Robinson both scored from penalty corner opportunities. The ladies will look to build on the result when they travel to Huntingdon & Northstowe on Saturday morning.
SUE ROBINSON SCORED FOR WTHC LADIES 2ND XI
The Ladies 3rd XI fell behind to an early goal at Newmarket 2nd XI, but settled into the game after the early setback. Isabella Burton went close to equalising for Wisbech, and a formation change at half time brought further opportunities. Wisbech eventually got back on level terms, when Georgia Ward broke down the right wing to set up Izzy Herring for the equaliser. Wisbech will look to continue where they left off when they host Cambridge South 6th XI.
The Mens 3rd XI bounced back from defeat the previous week to edge Cambridge City 5th XI at Harecroft Road. The City side were short benched, but created several opportunities during the first half, with goalkeeper Kevin Shippey and the Wisbech defence needing to stay sharp to maintain parity.
Wisbech started the second half the stronger of the two sides, and managed to take the lead when Mike Lawrence’s pass found Ciaran Lowe, who duly beat the Cambridge keeper to open the scoring. The visitors were awarded a penalty stroke five minutes later, but Shippey made a strong save to his right to maintain the Wisbech lead, which held until the final whistle to seal the 3-points and their first win of the season. The men travel to Kettering on Saturday.
The Ladies 4th XI also picked up their first victory of the campaign on Saturday, beating Pelicans 3rd XI. Harriet Clark gave Wisbech the lead in the ninth minute, with both sides creating numerous opportunities but neither able to find the decisive finish to affect the scoreboard further, thanks in part to some excellent defensive work from the Wisbech defence, whilst Player of the Game Chloe Uddin kept the visitors on their toes with a series of surging runs forward. The Ladies will look to build on the win against St Neots 3rd XI on Saturday.
WTHC LADIES 4TH XI PICKED UP THEIR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON
Goals from Brandon Ruff, and Jonathan Boyall helped the Mens 4th XI secure a draw away at Peterborough 6th XI in a late pushback. The hosts started the stronger of the two sides, taking the lead after 15 minutes, but a goalmouth scramble shortly before halftime saw Ruff apply the final touch to pull Wisbech level at the break.
Peterborough started the second half well, as Wisbech dropped deeper, with the city side taking the lead again. The Fenland side rallied however, equalising through Boyall four minutes from the end. Wisbech host Cambridge South 5th XI this weekend.
Jasmine McClagish netted her first goal for the club as the Ladies 5th XI travelled to St Ives 3rd XI. The hosts put Wisbech under pressure during the first half, with goalkeeper Rachael Archard making a number of saves to help keep her side in the game before Wisbech were able to break and claim the lead through McClagish.
Wisbech continued to weather the storm, but were pegged back with ten minutes to go as St Ives scored two quick goals from penalty corner opportunities. The hosts continued to push forward, adding a third goal before the final whistle despite some continued resolute defensive work from Wisbech.
The Mens 5th XI put in a hard working performance against an experienced Cambridge South 7th XI, but ultimately succumbed to the city side, who jumped out to a 4-0 lead before half time despite some excellent build up play from the young Wisbech side.
Wisbech continued to work hard during the second half, and were eventually rewarded when Harry Shippey scored his first goal for the club. The team travels to Ely City 3rd XI this weekend.