SUPER SATURDAY FOR WTHC
Wisbech Town Hockey Club enjoyed an unbeaten weekend in league action, with the Mens and Ladies first teams both picking up crucial victories in their respective Division 1 North campaigns.
The Mens 1st XI travelled to Cambridge Nomads looking to avenge their defeat in October, but found themselves on the backfoot early in the game as the hosts came out of the blocks quickly. Having been somewhat under siege for the opening ten minutes, Wisbech snatched the lead against the run of play when Tom Jupp danced through the Cambridge defence to convert a short corner opportunity.
The goal seemed to settle Wisbech, who began to take control of the game thereafter, but found themselves unable to add to their tally before the break. The Fenland side carried their momentum into the second half, but were pegged back by a Cambridge equaliser from a well worked short corner routine. Wisbech continued to push forward however, and were rewarded ten minutes from the end when Jupp struck his second goal of the game. Cambridge pressed hard for an equaliser, forcing Wisbech goalkeeper Aiden Falkus into a string of excellent saves, before Kieran Hallatt’s drag flick finish ensured Wisbech would secure the 3-points.
Wisbech now sit a comfortable 6th in the table, with six games still to play, including this weekend’s home clash with Bury St. Edmunds (13:45PM).
JO GOMM SCORED TWICE FOR THE LADIES 1ST XI
The Ladies 1st XI were also victorious on Saturday, picking up a crucial win against last placed St. Ives at Harecroft Road. Wisbech started slowly, and found themselves 1-0 down after ten minutes, but quickly gathered themselves and started to apply pressure on the St. Ives’ goal, eventually winning a penalty flick, which was converted by forward Jo Gomm.
Wisbech continued to dominate possession, and saw Gomm, combine with youngsters Jemima Mitchell, Emma Markillie, and Lilian Ley to create several chances for the home side, with Gomm adding her second of the game before the break. Wisbech sought to increase their advantage in the second half, with Louise Sandall shooting narrowly wide, before Georgie Dunn converted from a short corner opportunity, slotting the ball into the back of the net after the St. Ives' keeper had parried the initial effort.
St. Ives pulled one goal back before the final whistle, but Wisbech claimed a valuable 3-points, which moved the team up to 8th in the table. This weekend, the ladies travel to 9th placed Watton in what is a crucial encounter, with four of the Division’s 12-teams set to be relegated at the end of the season.
Goals from Oliwia Bolka and Lucy Prior ensured the Ladies second team would leave Huntingdon with a 2-1 win, a result which extended Wisbech’s advantage over their hosts in the Division 3 North West table, and should all but guarantee the team a mid table finish this season.
Wisbech had the better of the play during the first half, but fell behind before the break despite a series of good saves from goalkeeper Lexie Klibanecz. The ladies rallied in the second half, with Bolka and Prior finding the back of the net, while Kate Penn picked up the Player of the Game award.
This weekend, the 2nd XI host bottom of the table City of Peterborough 4th XI at Harecroft Road (10:30AM).
LUCY PRIOR WAS ON TARGET FOR WTHC LADIES 2ND XI (PHOTO: MIKE BENNETT)
The Men's second team also secured maximum points from their trip to St. Ives. A dogged defensive effort from the home team ensured the game would remain tied at 0-0 at half time, but Wisbech was able to find an extra gear during the second half, with Player of the Game Jason Mallett scoring a hat trick to lead Wisbech to a 3-0 win.
Second in the Division 3 North West table, the 2nd XI host Bourne-Deeping this weekend (12:00PM).
In Division 4 North West, Wisbech 3rd XI and March Town 2nd XI met in a hard fought 1-1 draw at Harecroft Road. Wisbech took the lead during the first half through Tim Bateman, maintaining their slender advantage into the break thanks to some strong defending. March continued to press for an equaliser during the second half, and eventually found the back of the net ten minutes from the end.
Both sides had chances to snatch a late winner, but shared the points at the final whistle. Wisbech will travel to Cambridge City 6 this Saturday.
Freezing overnight temperatures saw the game between Wisbech Mens 4th team and Spalding 5th team postponed. The men will be hoping to extend their current winning streak to five games when they travel to Peterborough to face the city side's 8th XI on Saturday.
Despite a strong performance on home soil, Wisbech’s Mixed A team were narrowly beaten by Dereham on Sunday in the East Hockey Mixed Championship. Trailing 1-0 at half time, Wisbech struck back through Fred Whatling and Sam Markillie, but a second Dereham goal saw the game decided by penalty flicks, with the visitors coming out on top.