MENS 2ND XI SECURE VITAL VICTORY

It was another tough weekend for Wisbech Town Hockey Club, as the 2024/25 season continued.

The Ladies 1st XI hosted Dereham 2nd XI at Harecroft Road, with the visitors sitting just one place ahead of the Fenland side entering the fixture. A relatively even first half saw both sides create chances, with Emma Baker able to put Wisbech ahead after good work from Harriet Bateman to win the ball back outside the Dereham circle before putting Baker through on goal.

Dereham made a quick start to the second half, and found themselves level five minutes into the half when a shot from the top of the circle was deflected past Wisbech goalkeeper Lexie Klibanecz. The visitors took the lead shortly after, scrambling the ball home following a melee in front of the Wisbech net, before adding a third goal with a deflected effort close to the goal.

Wisbech fought hard to find a way back into the game, and were rewarded when Izzy Pope was able to skip past two Dereham defenders before placing a reverse stick strike into the bottom corner. The hosts pressed high up the field, seeking an equaliser, but were unable to break down the opposition defence, leaving Dereham to claim a 3-2 victory. Wisbech will look to bounce back when they travel to Cambridge City 4th XI on Saturday.

The Mens 1st XI travelled to Cambridge University 1st XI, knowing they faced a significant test against the runaway leaders in Division 1 North. The hosts enjoyed a small amount of fortune on their first goal five minutes into the game, but quickly stamped their authority on the game and opened up a 5-0 lead by the break including three goals from penalty corners.

Wisbech continued to work hard, but found the going tough against the University side, who moved the ball at speed and continued to create opportunities, with former Premier League player Raunaq Rai pulling the strings and finishing the game with five-goals on his own as the hosts wrapped up another convincing victory. Despite the uphill battle, Wisbech worked hard to the final whistle, and will be hoping to take the same attitude into this weekend home clash with local rivals Long Sutton at Harecroft Road.

IZZY POPE WAS ON TARGET FOR THE LADIES 1ST XI (PIC: MIKE BENNETT)

Goals from Kieran Hallatt, Sam Markillie, and Josh Porter helped the Mens 2nd XI secure their first win of the season, beating St Ives 2nd XI 3-2 at Harecroft Road. The men will be looking to build on the result when they travel to St Neots on Saturday.

The Ladies 2nd XI travelled to St Neots 2nd XI, making a positive start to the game but unable to capitalise on the penalty corner chances that came their way during the first half. The hosts opened the scoring early in the second half, but Wisbech bounced back through Sam Pritchard, who applied the finish to a well worked penalty corner routine.

Both sides continued to battle for the win, but despite a series of saves from Georgia Ellis in the Wisbech goal, St Neots were able to claim a winner shortly before the end. The ladies host league leaders Bourne-Deeping this weekend.

A goal after just two minutes allowed Bourne-Deeping 2nd XI to get their noses in front of Wisbech Ladies 3rd XI in a hard fought game at Harecroft Road. The visitors grabbed a second goal late in the half, to leave Wisbech with much to do during the second stanza.

Despite dominating possession, Wisbech were unable to convert any of the opportunities that came their way. This weekend the ladies travel to Spalding 3rd XI, who sit just one place ahead of them in the Division 4 North West table.

Two-goals during the first half put Spalding Mens 3rd XI in the driver's seat against Wisbech Mens 3rd XI, but a much improved performance in the second half saw Eliott Peck pull Wisbech back into the game, with the forward adding a second goal shortly after to tie the game.

The hosts restored their two goal lead however, leaving Wisbech with much to do during the closing period of the game. Brodie Ellis pulled one back for the Fenland side, but a fourth goal could not be found, leaving Spalding to take the 3-points. Wisbech host March Town 2nd XI this weekend.

JOSH PORTED HELPED THE MENS 2ND XI SECURE VICTORY AGAINST ST IVES.

A back and forth affair saw the Mens 4th XI narrowly beaten by Newmarket 3rd XI. The visitors took the lead late in the first half after a helpful bounce off the post presented a virtual tap-in to the Newmarket forward. Wisbech continued to push forward, and were rewarded for their persistence when Chris Middleton fired a powerful shot into the bottom corner five minutes into the second half.

Both teams had chances to edge ahead, with the decisive strike going to the visitors in the 55th minute, scoring from a penalty corner to claim a 2-1 win. Wisbech will look to rebound when they travel to Long Sutton 3rd XI on Saturday.

A Player of the Game performance from goalkeeper Rachael Archard helped the Ladies 4th XI keep Peterborough 7th XI at bay during the first half of their game at Harecroft Road. The visitors piled on the pressure, but found themselves unable to find a way past Archard as the two teams entered the half time break tied at 0-0.

Peterborough continued to look for a way past the Wisbech defence during the second half, and eventually secured the pivotal goal in the 50th minute after the ball took a deflection of a defender's stick.

“It was a much more positive performance from the team,” captain Lisa Lowe said after the game. “We gave 100% effort, and were unlucky not to hold onto the draw.”. Lowe’s side travel to league leaders Cambridge City 7th XI this weekend, while the Ladies 5th XI host Long Sutton 2nd XI.

A goal 15 minutes into the first half saw Bourne-Deeping 5th XI edge out Wisbech Mens 5th XI at Arthur Mellows Village College. The hosts held onto their 1-0 lead despite some good play from Wisbech as they sought to find a way back into the game. The team will get the opportunity to get back to winning ways when they host Cambridge Nomads 4th XI on Saturday.