STRONG START TO SEASON CONTINUES
After a confidence boosting win on the road to start the season, WTHC Men’s 1st XI welcomed Cambridge South 2nd XI to Harecroft Road on Saturday.
Wisbech wanted to make an aggressive start, and after turning the ball over from the opening pushback, took a very early lead when Ryan Jackson turned home a cross from close range. This was a sign of things to come as the home side dominated the first half, entering the break 4-0 up thanks to further goals from Jack Bass, Sam Markillie and skipper Tom Jupp; with the only negatives of the half being injuries sustained by Bass, and Jamie Hallatt.
With only 11 players to play for the entire second half, the expectation would be for Wisbech to take their foot off the accelerator, snuggle up, and relax; but they continued to press forward, with Fred Whatling capitalising on some good pressing to get the hosts fifth goal of the game.
Cambridge pushed hard for a way back into the game, and grabbed a consolation marker, but the result was never in doubt. As a result of the win, the 1st XI retain their spot at the top of the league, with a trip to Bourne-Deeping on the cards this weekend.
TOM JUPP WAS ON TARGET FOR THE MENS 1ST XI (PIC: TIM CHAPMAN)
The Mens 2nd XI were also on home soil at the weekend, hosting Cambridge City 6th XI. An explosive start to the game saw Wisbech go 1-0 up inside the opening five minutes, with a well worked play resulting in Jason Mallett slotting the first of his five goals for the day.
Wisbech took control of the game, scoring an additional two goals without reply, before some complacency set in allowing the visitors to score two quick goals of their own. Player of the Game, Dom Stannard, helped steady the ship with a commanding performance in midfield, and Wisbech once again found their rhythm, striking an additional four goals in the game to run out 7-3 winners.
WTHC Ladies 2nd XI were also victorious on Saturday, running out 3-2 winners against Cambridge South 2nd XI. The visitors took the lead after only 11 minutes, leaving Wisbech disheartened but determined to get back in the game. Despite taking some time to settle into the game, Wisbech were able to equalise before the break, when Emma Baker found the back of the net five minutes from the break.
Wisbech came out strong in the second half, with the whole team working together and battling hard, and the Ladies were rewarded for their efforts when Sue Robinson’s long pass set Baker up for her second goal of the game, with the forward completing her hattrick two minutes later, with youngsters Amber Crossley-King and Ellie Cavill combining to set Baker up.
The visitors managed to pull a goal back in the dying moments of the game, but still a convincing win for the Ladies, who have won both of their games so far this season. This weekend they travel to Northstowe to take on Huntingdon 1st XI.
EMMA BAKER BAGGED A HATTRICK FOR THE LADIES 2ND XI (PIC: TIM CHAPMAN)
The Men’s 3rd XI extended their winning streak thanks to a hard fought winagainst St Neots 2nd XI. From the get-go there was little to separate the two sides, with the visitors showing great determination and defensive aptitude, which Wisbech struggled to breakdown.
With neither side able to break the deadlock during the first half, Elliot Peck’s goal early in the second period saw Wisbech edge ahead. Both sides continued to work hard, and tensions grew between the two teams as the half wore on. Goalkeeper Rob McGregor made a string of fantastic saves during the final five minutes of the game to keep Wisbech ahead at the final whistle. The Men travel to Peterborough this weekend, to face the City club’s 6th XI.
Wisbech Ladies 3rd XI picked up their first win of the season, thanks to a 2-0 victory at Peterborough Ladies 5th XI. After having an early goal disallowed by the match Umpires, Wisbech eventually took the lead through Louise Cooper, who buried a rebound shot to give the Fenland side a slender lead at the break.
Wisbech continued to attack in the second half, with Player of the Game Freya Matthews adding the second goal from a penalty corner to cap off a great team performance.
The Ladies 4th XI began their campaign against an experienced Pelicans side at Harecroft Road, with the visitors jumping out to a 2-0 lead during the first half.
A strong second half from Wisbech saw the ladies work their way back into the game, with new player Charlotte Holt generating energy in midfield to help create some forward momentum for the home side. Wisbech were eventually rewarded for their perseverance when a brilliant run from Izzy Herring, followed by a superb pass into the D, created the perfect chance for Zoe Parsons to employ her quick reactions to snatch a fantastic goal.
Pelicans were able to restore their two-goal cushion before the final whistle, but Wisbech were left encouraged by the performance, which also saw several players make their Senior hockey debut.
ZOE PARSONS CELEBRATES HER GOAL FOR THE LADIES 4TH XI (PIC: TIM CHAPMAN)