MIXED RESULTS ON OPENING WEEKEND
Wisbech Town HC saw mixed fortunes across it’s Senior teams during the opening weekend of the 2021/22 season, with both the Mens and Ladies 1st XIs suffering defeat on Saturday.
The Mens 1st XI opened their Division 1 North campaign with a trip to Norwich to face UEA. Despite missing several key players, Wisbech gave a good account of themselves through the opening stages of the game, resisting heavy pressure from the University side to reach the break tied at 0-0, before claiming the lead early in the second half thanks to a close range finish from Sam Markillie.
The advantage was short lived however, with UEA scoring four-straight goals as a combination of the heat, and a succession of penalty decisions against Wisbech, saw the Fenland side tire against a well drilled opposition side that is likely to be near the top of the Division again this year. Despite the defeat, team captain Charlie Baxter remained upbeat:
“We showed great fight, and there were still plenty of positives to take from the game; particularly the performances of youngsters Ryan Jackson, and Player of the Game Jamie Hallatt (pictured above).
“Our next game is at home against Cambridge City on Saturday (2:45PM), and we’re looking forward to the opportunity to really get our season underway with a big performance.”
The Ladies 1st XI also kicked off their campaign away from home, with a trip to Cambridge South. Wisbech faced early pressure from the hosts, who moved the ball well and sought to craft out chances inside the Wisbech circle, but a combination of strong defending, and excellent work from goalkeeper Emily Thomas (pictured above), ensured Wisbech would stay on level terms.
While both sides had opportunities from short corners, it was Cambridge that eventually broke the deadlock, before adding a second shortly after. Undeterred, Wisbech continued to press their opponents, with Player of the Game Izzy Pope, and Izzy Gowler, who was returning from injury, both showing great creativity. Wisbech were eventually rewarded for their persistence, when Laura Overland found the back of the net with 5-minutes remaining.
A goal-mouth scramble late in the game saw Wisbech come close to securing an equaliser, but Cambridge were able to maintain their slender advantage, and claim the victory. The Ladies 1st XI welcome Cambridge University 2nd XI to Harecroft Road on Saturday (1PM).
Elsewhere, four-goals from Sam Pritchard (pictured below) underpinned an emphatic 8-1 home win for the Ladies 2nd XI against Spalding. Captain Louise Sandall, Lucy Prior, Susan Robinson, and Kamarla Lawson also found the net for Wisbech, while debutant Lucy Ludlow picked up the Player of the Game award after impressing on the right flank.
The Ladies 2nd XI will be hoping to continue their strong start to their Division 3 North West campaign when they travel to Bourne-Deeping on Saturday.
The Men’s 2nd XI also made a winning start to the new season, beating Cambridge South 5-2. Wisbech started well, creating several chances, but it was the visitors who opened the scoring against the run of play. The home side were quick to bounce back however, with Josh Porter and Tom Peggs both grabbing a brace as Wisbech collected the 3-points.
Captain Kevin Shippey described the win as “a very good, all round team performance” and will be hoping to see his side carry forward this rich vein of form when they travel to Kettering on Saturday.
A 3-1 win away at Bourne-Deeping provided the perfect start to the season for the Men’s 3rd XI as well. Wisbech took the lead during a hard fought first half thanks to an excellent piece of link-up play between Robin Middleton and Oliver Overland, with the latter able to present forward Elliott Peck with a virtual open goal to score in.
Peck completed his brace early in the second half, lifting the ball into the net after the Bourne-Deeping goalkeeper had gone to ground. The hosts were quick to respond, catching Wisbech on the break to pull a goal back, but the two-goal cushion was restored through Overland with 10-minutes to go. The 3rd XI will be hoping to make it two-from-two when they host St. Ives this Saturday (4:30PM).
The Ladies 3rd XI travelled to St. Neots, with Emilija Aleksandraviciute and Player of the Game Penny Scott both making their debuts for the club. Wisbech struggled to find their rhythm during the opening 35-minutes, eventually falling behind to a St. Neots short corner; but a much improved second half saw Wisbech draw level, as Olivia Jackson and Oliwia Bolka combined to set up Andrea Eggleton for the equaliser.
Despite several short corner attempts, and numerous shots on goal, Wisbech could not find a second marker, and eventually succumbed to a late defeat when the hosts scored in the dying moments of the game.
Nicola Greville’s side will be hoping to bounce back on Saturday, when they welcome local rivals March to Harecroft Road (11:30AM); while the Mens 4th team, whose season opener against St. Neots was called off after the opposition failed to raise a side, travel to Cambridge Nomads to face their 4th XI.
With thanks to our Match Day Sponsors: Mr Cricket Hockey and Surridge Sport.