MIXED WEEKEND FOR WTHC TEAMS
Wisbech Town HC saw mixed results for its Senior teams last weekend, as the 2021/22 season enters the home straight.
The Ladies 1st XI travelled to Watton expecting a tough game on Saturday, with the hosts sitting just one place, and one point, behind Wisbech in the Division 1 North table. Wisbech got off to a strong start, with Jemima Mitchell scoring after just 15 minutes, following some good link up play between Laura Overland and Jo Gomm in the lead up to the goal.
Wisbech were unable to increase their advantage however, and were pegged back just before half time. The second half continued in a similar vein, with Wisbech creating opportunities, but they were unable to convert - a strong defensive effort, led by Player of the Game, Ali Beel, in the Wisbech goal, ensured Wisbech did not concede either, and the two teams shared the points at the final whistle.
The result leaves Wisbech 8th in the table, 1-point above the relegation zone; but the ladies will play their game in hand this weekend, when they host Cambridge South (12:30PM).
The Mens 1st XI hosted Bury St. Edmunds, knowing a victory would go a long way towards securing Division 1 hockey for another season, while the visitors were looking to climb out of the relegation zone following inconsistent performances throughout the year.
Wisbech came flying out of the blocks, and created a number of chances during the opening 35-minutes, but found themselves unable to capitalise on these opportunities, with the game remaining tied at 0-0 entering the break. The positives of the first half could not hide the disappointment of the second, with Wisbech playing some of their worst hockey of the season, as a series of mistakes saw possession frequently lost, and opportunities to attack the Bury St. Edmunds goal breaking down before they had begun.
Eventually the mistakes would cost Wisbech, who conceded eight minutes from the end. The Fenland side was unable to mount any kind of comeback, and now finds themselves 7th in the table on 23 points, just 3-points out of the relegation zone, with three of their remaining five games against the league’s top-three sides, starting on February 26th away at Pelicans HC.
HARRIET BATEMAN WAS PLAYER OF THE GAME FOR THE LADIES 2ND XI (📸: MIKE BENNETT)
The second team were also left frustrated on Saturday, as they slipped to a surprise 2-1 defeat against Bourne-Deeping. Jason Mallet was on target for Wisbech again, his fourth goal in the past two-games. Despite the defeat, Wisbech still sit 2nd in the Division 3 North West table; though both Cambridge South and March Town each have two-games in hand on the Fenland side.
The Ladies 2nd XI faced bottom of the league Peterborough at Harecroft Road, and made a strong start to the game, following an encouraging team talk from Coach, Jonathan Shippey. Wisbech moved the ball well and showed some great team work, creating numerous opportunities before Kate Penn finally broke the deadlock following Hannah Strickle’s pass.
Wisbech continued to keep the momentum high during the second half, with Player of the Game Harriet Bateman working hard down the right, while opportunities fell to Sam Pritchard, Jane Peggs, and Emma Baker during the second half; despite these chances, Wisbech could not find a way to increase their advantage, and had to settle for a 1-0 win.
The Mens 3rd team travelled to Cambridge to take on an experienced Cambs City side. Despite some early pressure, Wisbech found themselves unable to create meaningful opportunities and soon found themselves 1-0 down, before also losing centre back Jason Thomas to injury.
GEORGE GOWLER SCORED FOR THE MENS 3RD XI (📸: ADAM FAIRBROTHER)
Cambridge added a second and third goal shortly after the restart, before Wisbech got themselves on the board thanks to George Gowler, who converted a penalty flick. The hosts added a fourth goal, but Wisbech maintained a glimmer of hope when captain Brodie Ellis converted a short corner opportunity with a bullet-like shot into the bottom corner.
No further goals were scored however, leaving Wisbech still fighting for survival in Division 4 North West. With five of their remaining seven games at home, Ellis’ side will still be hoping to pull themselves out of the relegation zone, starting this Saturday versus Kettering (2PM).
Away at Peterborough, the Men's fourth XI made a strong start to their game, repelling several early attacks from the hosts before scoring on the counter through Oliver Melton, whose back hand shot gave Wisbech a 1-0 advantage entering the break. Peterborough hit back with two quick goals following the restart, but Wisbech continued to work hard and were eventually rewarded two minutes from the end, when Jon Boyall scored from a short corner opportunity.
Wisbech will be hoping to carry the positives from last weekend’s game into this Saturday's meeting with Ely City at Harecroft Road (10:30AM).
With no league match scheduled, the Ladies 3rd team hosted Long Sutton 2nd XI in a friendly game at Harecroft Road. Louise Cooper scored for Wisbech, but the visitors won the game 2-1. The ladies are back in league action this weekend, when they travel to local rivals March Town.