LADIES 5s MAKE WINNING START
The 2024/25 hockey season got underway last weekend, with nine of the ten teams at Wisbech Town Hockey Club in action, including the Mens 1st XI, which hosted UEA 1st XI at Harecroft Road.
Wisbech got off to a dream start as Lewis Jackson gave the hosts a 2-0 lead early in the game thanks to two excellent drag flicks from penalty corner opportunities. The visitors were able to pull a goal back before half time, catching Wisbech on the break to make it 2-1.
UEA altered their press in the second half, putting Wisbech under much more pressure, eventually equalising from a penalty corner. With 5 minutes to go, UEA took the lead with a reverse stick strike into the bottom corner, with the visitors holding on to claim a 3-2 win.
Tom Jupp’s side head to Spalding next week looking to get their first 3-points of the season.
The Ladies 1st XI also began their season against University opposition, travelling to Cambridge University 2nd XI where Wisbech made a strong start, pressing well and securing good possession, but two goals from penalty corners saw the University side carry a lead into the break.
Wisbech pulled a goal back through captain Jo Gomm, who latched on to Izzy Pope’s long pass to narrow the gap. The Fenland side faded in the final 15-minutes however, with Cambridge able to pull away despite a number of good saves from Wisbech goalkeeper Georgia Ellis. While Pope managed to grab a second goal for Wisbech, the hosts secured four further goals of their own to run out 6-2 winners. Wisbech host Dereham at Harecroft Road on Saturday.
JO GOMM WAS ON TARGET FOR WTHC LADIES 1ST XI (PHOTO: TIM CHAPMAN)
It was a tough start to the season for the Mens 2nd XI, who travelled to Ely City 1st XI. The warm weather tested Wisbech’s fitness, with the hosts particularly dangerous on the counter attack. Goalkeeper Adam Sisson made a number of saves to keep Wisbech in the game, but Ely were able to claim a 2-0 lead before the break.
Despite a determined defensive effort, the constant pressure from a well drilled Ely side eventually told, with the city-side scoring four further goals during the second half to claim a 6-0 win. Wisbech take on local rivals March Town 1st XI at Harecroft Road next weekend.
The Ladies 3rd XI also began their league campaign away at Ely, taking on the hosts 2nd XI. Using a new formation, Wisbech started well with goalkeeper Kirstie Harrison making some early saves, but Ely came into the game and managed to score twice before the halftime break.
Wisbech came out strongly in the second half, maintaining possession well and creating several opportunities without being able to score before the hosts were able to increase their lead, eventually running out 4-0 winners. Despite the result, Wisbech were satisfied with the overall performance as the team adapts to its new formation, and the ladies will look to build on it when they host March Town 1st XI at Harecroft Road on Saturday.
KEV SHIPPEY HELPED THE MENS 2ND XI SECURE A POINT AGAINST ST NEOTS.
The Mens 3rd XI earned a draw at home against a strong St Neots 2nd XI, which finished 3rd in the league last season. The visitors controlled much of the early possession, but Wisbech’s defence held firm and the game eventually opened up, with Wisbech able to mount several chances on the counter attack.
Youngsters Jerome Lawrence, who earned Player of the Game for his efforts, and Felix Markillie combined to set Ciaran Lowe up for the opening goal of the game with a well worked move down the left hand flank.
The second half saw Wisbech put under pressure once again, but opportunities to hit St Neots on the break continued to present themselves, while goalkeeper Kevin Shippey made key saves in the Wisbech goal. With five minutes to go a deflected ball opened up an opportunity for the visitors to score, scrambling home an equaliser to see the game finish 1-1. The Men travel to Bourne-Deeping 2nd XI on Saturday.
The Ladies 4th XI made the trip to Kettering 3rd XI, making a strong start to the game thanks to some great link up play, but found themselves unlucky to fall behind when the hosts were able to scramble a penalty corner opportunity over the line.
Kettering put more pressure on during the second half, but a strong defensive effort from Wisbech ensured they remained in the game, with Player of the Game Hannah Holt supporting both attack and defence in an all action performance from the midfielder.
“Overall a brilliant start with lots of positives and an exciting season ahead” captain Lisa Lowe said after the game, with her side set to take on Long Sutton 2nd XI at Harecroft Road on Saturday morning.
WTHC LADIES 5TH XI GOT OFF TO A WINNING START.
The new Ladies 5th team got off to the best possible start, securing a 1-0 win over Peterborough 5th XI at Harecroft Road. Laynie Thompson scored her first ever goal for the club after 15 minutes to give Wisbech the lead, and while both teams created opportunities neither could add to the score - with Player of the Game Ashleigh Lawrence marshalling the Wisbech defence to help keep Peterborough at bay, while youngsters Isabella Burton and Meredith Killick also impressed on debut.
“The team worked really hard in the heat,” team captain Emma McGregor said “Our young players performed brilliantly, and the more experienced players provided fabulous support and encouragement throughout the game.”. The ladies travel to Cambridge City 7th XI at the weekend.
Despite playing some excellent hockey at times, the Mens 5th XI succumbed to a 3-0 loss at Newmarket 4th XI, while the Mens 4th XI lost 6-0 at St Neots 3rd XI, but will have the chance to bounce back against Bourne-Deeping 4th XI on home soil this weekend.
The Ladies 2nd XI will also get their campaign underway at the weekend, when they travel to Kettering 2nd XI.