LADIES 2ND XI GET OFF TO WINNING START
Wisbech Town HC Mens 1st XI secured their first point of the season away at Spalding on Saturday, but were left wondering what might have been after squandering a 5-2 lead with 18-minutes to play to come away with a 5-5 draw.
The home side started brightly and found themselves a goal up early in the game, but Wisbech were quick to respond as captain Tom Jupp smashed the ball home to equalise. The Fenland side started to take more control of the game from there, and were unlucky to fall behind against the run of play, but managed to pull level again before the break when Charlie Baxter fired home from a penalty corner opportunity.
Wisbech put their foot on the accelerator early in the second half, and jumped out to a 5-2 lead thanks to a brace from Jack Bass, and a second goal from Baxter, but Spalding continued to pile on the pressure and chipped away at the Wisbech defence, scoring two quickfire goals to set up a tense final five minutes.
The hosts pulled level two minutes from the end, equalising from a penalty corner opportunity to earn a draw. Wisbech will look to secure their first win of the season when they host Harleston Magpies 2nd XI this weekend.
Two quick goals from visitors Dereham put the Ladies 1st XI on the backfoot early in their game at Harecroft Road, but Jo Gomm’s side kept their heads despite the setback and were rewarded when Harriet Bateman’s pass set Gomm up to make it 2-1 before half time.
Wisbech changed formation in the second half, and managed to gain more control of the game, with Player of the Game Ellie Cavill helping the ladies create several attacking opportunities, but the Dereham defence held firm, and the Norfolk side was able to add two further goals from penalty corners to wrap up a 4-1 win. Gomm’s side travels to Ipswich & East Suffolk this weekend.
CHARLIE BAXTER SCORED TWICE FOR WTHC MENS 1ST XI
A brace from Emma Baker helped the Ladies 2nd XI get off to a winning start to their campaign away at Kettering 2nd XI. Wisbech started the game well and moved the ball effectively, with Claire Burton giving the team the lead with a neat finish into the top corner.
Baker then bagged the first of her two goals from a penalty corner, before helping keep Wisbech on the frontfoot with her second of the day in what proved to be a physical affair, with the hosts continuing to snap at Wisbech’s heels before Lucy Lim netted the all important fourth goal to put Wisbech out of sight. The ladies host Cambridge City 6th XI this weekend.
The Mens 2nd XI took on league favourites, and local rivals March Town 1st XI at Harecroft Road, putting in a strong first half performance but unable to find a way through as the two sides entered the break all square at 0-0.
March shifted formation and pressed Wisbech more intensively in the second half, with the visitors winning a penalty flick which was duly converted to put the visitors ahead. The goal proved decisive, as March’s keeper helped see his side through to the final whistle. Wisbech travels to Newmarket 1st XI this week.
A strong defensive effort was not able to save the Mens 3rd XI from defeat at Bourne-Deeping 2nd XI. The game started quickly, with the hosts asserting dominance in possession and pushing into the Wisbech half. The men in red defended well, but found chances further forward hard to come by and the pressure eventually told, as Bourne-Deeping took the lead with a well worked goal.
Wisbech managed to create some opportunities in the second half, and were unlucky not to get on the board before the hosts pulled away, eventually running out 3-0 winners. Cambridge City 6th XI will be the visitors this weekend.
EMMA BAKER'S BRACE HELPED WTHC LADIES 2ND XI BEAT KETTERING.
The Ladies 3rd XI took on March Town 1st XI at Harecroft Road, and despite a strong performance from goalkeeper Kirstie Harrison, struggled to convert the opportunities that came their way while the visitors slowly chipped away at the Wisbech defence, walking away with a 5-0 win and all three-points at the final whistle. The ladies will look to bounce back at Cambridge Nomads 2nd XI on Saturday.
Goals from Jonathan Boyall, Pete Shippey, Brandon Ruff, Daniel Klibanecz, and Player of the Game Will Wicks helped the Mens 4th XI bounce back from defeat on the opening weekend of the season to pick up a 5-1 win at home to Bourne-Deeping 4th XI.
Long Sutton 2nd XI were the visitors as Wisbech Ladies 4th XI looked to pick up their first points of the season. The visitors jumped out to a 3-0 lead during the first half, despite Wisbech goalkeeper Helen Pentelow saving a penalty flick, with all three goals coming from penalty corner opportunities.
Wisbech continued to restrict their opponents from open play, with Player of the Game Esmae Melton putting in a number of great tackles whilst also trying to help the home side offensively with several surging runs from central midfield, but the hosts were unable to find a way through before Long Sutton scrambled home their fourth goal of the game to secure victory. The Ladies travel to Newmarket this weekend.
The Ladies 5th team Development side suffered a heavy defeat away at the experienced Cambridge City 7th XI. Goalkeeper Rachael Archard put in a superb performance in the Wisbech goal, saving a penalty flick as one of a number of saves on the night to earn the Player of the Game award. The side will welcome Bourne-Deeping 3rd XI Development side to Harecroft Road on Sunday.
The Mens 5th XI Development side will also be back in action this weekend, following a week off, when they travel to Peterborough 8th XI.
PHOTO CREDIT: TIM CHAPMAN