STRONG SHOWINGS ON FINAL WEEKEND OF PRESEASON
Wisbech Town Hockey Club’s pre-season preparations continued at the weekend, with the Ladies section picking up four wins from four games on Saturday, starting with the Ladies 1st XI, who secured a 5-2 win at local rivals Spalding.
Jo Gomm’s side made a quick start to the game, with Alice Salmon and Laura Bell each scoring from a penalty corner, before a great solo effort from Georgie Dunn increased the lead to 3-0. But as Wisbech pressed high up the field, Spalding were able to find some space to attack and managed to pull two goals back before the halftime break.
A strong defensive performance in the second half, led by Player of the Game Natalie Ward, ensured Wisbech did not concede again, despite some pressure from the hosts, while Izzy Pope began to pull the string in the centre of the field for Wisbech. The young midfielder created multiple opportunities for Wisbech with her pinpoint passing, with Gomm and Sharon Empson each picking up a goal off the back of Pope’s second half performance to help round out the victory.
“I am incredibly proud of the work that the squad has put into our pre-season preparations, and look forward to it paying dividends in the season ahead.” Gomm said following the game.
The Ladies get their Division 1 North campaign underway against Dereham at Harecroft Road on Saturday (2:30PM start), in what is sure to be a tough fixture for Wisbech, after the Norfolk side came down from the East Women’s Premier Division last year.
GEORGIE DUNN WAS ON TARGET FOR THE WTHC LADIES 1ST XI ON SATURDAY
Wisbech Ladies 2nd, and 3rd XIs both travelled to Long Sutton hoping to continue honing their skills, and set plays, for the season ahead. Playing against the hosts first team, Wisbech 2nd XI worked hard in defence, and managed to create several counter attacking opportunities, with Player of the Game Sam Pritchard, and Lilian Ley finding the back of the net, but the hosts continued to push forward themselves and took a 3-2 lead into the break.
Pritchard was able to pull Wisbech level during the second half, beating the Long Sutton goalkeeper one-on-one, before Oliwia Bolka edged Wisbech ahead. Long Sutton restored parity with a well taken finish ten minutes from the end, but Pritchard’s hat trick goal with less than five minutes to go proved crucial, helping Wisbech pick up a 5-4 win.
The Ladies 2nd XI begin their Division 2 North West fixtures away at Huntingdon this weekend.
Bolka was also on target for the 3rd XI, picking up a hat trick in a hard working performance against a tenacious Long Sutton second team. Wisbech were left somewhat frustrated during the first half, struggling to find the net via a combination of poor finishing and strong defence from the hosts, but two goals from Bolka saw the ladies take a lead into the break.
A strong second half showing saw Bolka complete her hat trick, whilst Lily Cooper, Laura Dudley, and Ashley Lawrence, scoring on debut, completed a 6-0 win for Wisbech, who begin their Division 5 North West campaign against the same opponents at Harecroft Road this weekend (10:30AM start).
The Ladies fourth team also picked up a win on Saturday, beating Ely City 3rd XI 2-0 at Harecroft Road. Goals from Claire Burton and Lily Cooper helped see Wisbech to victory, while experienced goalkeeper Ali Beel supplied great support and direction to the team throughout the match, with Hannah Lee picking up the Player of the Game award, following a fine performance playing as sweeper in her first ever hockey match. The 4th XI begins its league schedule away at Kettering 4th team this Saturday.
WTHC MENS 2ND XI PICKED UP A 2-1 WIN AGAINST PELICANS 2ND XI
Wisbech Mens 2nd XI dominated the first half of their game against Pelicans second team at Harecroft Road, but found themselves unable to find the back of the net before the break. Eventually Wisbech did break through thanks to a brilliant back hand finish from Jason Mallett, only for the visitors to pull level via a penalty corner. Wisbech continued to pile the pressure on the Pelicans net however, and were rewarded when Player of the Game Bradley Burton scored to seal a 2-1 win.
The Men will be hoping to pick up where they left off this weekend, when they travel to Bourne-Deepings 2nd XI for the first game of the Division 3 North West season.
The Mens third team travelled to Lynnsport to take on Pelicans 3rd XI, and quickly found themselves on the back foot as the hosts converted a penalty corner opportunity, before a well placed through ball allowed the hosts to jump to a 2-0 lead early in the game. Wisbech regained some ground thanks to goals from debutant Oli Brown, and Rob McGregor, but these came either side of Pelicans third and fourth goals before the halftime break.
A stronger defensive performance from Wisbech in the second half provided some promise for the season ahead, but tiring legs allowed the hosts to secure a fifth goal before the end of the game. Wisbech begin their league fixtures away at Cambs Nomads 4th team this weekend.
Six-goals from captain Brandon Ruff helped underpin a convincing 7-0 win for Wisbech Mens 4th XI at home to St. Ives 5th team. Ruff opened the scoring after just five minutes, before Mat Boyall doubled the Wisbech lead, with Ruff then helping his side pull away, while Steve Rogers efforts in defensive midfield helped ensure the visitors struggled to create opportunities of their own.
"It was a good start for the boys, and set us up well for the start of the season." Ruff said following the game, with his side set to host Cambridge South 6th XI this weekend (12:15PM).
The Mens 1st XI take on Long Sutton on Wednesday evening (7:30PM) in a pre-season friendly, before beginning their league campaign away at Bury St. Edmunds on Saturday.