TOUGH WEEKEND FOR WTHC
Wisbech Town Hockey Club teams endured a difficult return to league action, following a one week break in the calendar.
The Ladies 1st XI travelled to Ipswich 2nd XI hoping to build on their Cup win the previous week. Despite creating numerous chances, Wisbech found themselves 2-0 down after 26 minutes, as the hosts were able to capitalise on the opportunities that came their way.
Jane Proctor pulled a goal back for Wisbech 5-minutes before the break to give the Fenland side a foothold entering the second half, but Ipswich restored their two-goal cushion shortly after the restart. Wisbech continued to push forward, again creating opportunities to find the back of the net, but found themselves unable to convert while the hosts were able to extend their lead to secure a 5-1 win. Jo Gomm’s side will look to bounce back on home soil this coming weekend, when they host Dereham 2nd XI at Harecroft Road.
The Mens 1st XI hosted second placed Norwich City 2nd XI on Saturday, and were quickly put on the backfoot when the visitors converted a penalty corner opportunity after just five minutes. The well drilled city side continued to pile the pressure on, and secured a second goal at the ten minute mark. Three further goals from penalty corners put Norwich firmly in the driving seat, but a goal from Jack Bass gave Wisbech a ray of hope.
Wisbech started the second half well, and were rewarded when Danny Haynes found the back of the net before Jonny Garner added a third goal for the home side. Norwich continued to play at a high tempo, and picked up three further goals of their own as the men in red began to tire, securing an 8-3 win. This weekend, Wisbech travel to Division 1 North league leaders Cambridge University.
JONNY GARNER WAS ON THE SCORESHEET FOR THE MENS 1ST XI.
The Mens 2nd XI got off to a flying start at Cambridge Nomads when captain Jonathan Shippey scored from a penalty corner, with a strong defensive effort helping to maintain Wisbech’s lead through the next 20 minutes of action, with Dom Stannard coming close to extending the advantage, before the hosts managed to find an equaliser to leave the game evenly poised ahead of the second half.
Wisbech reclaimed the lead from a counter attacking opportunity, with Josh Porter applying the finish after some excellent work from Jason Mallett to carve out the chance, but Nomad’s possession proved crucial as the home side managed to find an equaliser, before securing a winner two-minutes from the end. Shippey’s side will look to build on the performance when they host St Ives 2nd XI on Saturday afternoon.
The Ladies 2nd XI were also narrowly beaten, going down 2-1 to Division 3 North West high-flyers Ely City at Harecroft Road. Freya Matthews was on target for Wisbech, but a defensive lapse led to the visitors first goal, with Ely managing to grab a second which ultimately proved decisive.
Wisbech were awarded a penalty shot in the second half, which was saved by the Ely goalkeeper, while Sarah Labross made a number of saves in the Wisbech goal to help keep her side within touching distance of their opponents. The ladies travel to 3rd placed St Neots 2nd XI this weekend.
Goals from Sam Markillie and Dom Garfoot put the Mens 3rd XI 2-0 up after 20-minutes in their game against Cambridge University 4th XI at Harecroft Road, but the university side fought back to make it 2-2 by half time.
The visitors made good use of the ball during the second half, moving out to a 6-2 lead by the final whistle despite a hard working effort from the men in red, who had some opportunities from penalty corners but found themselves unable to add to their tally. The men travel to local rivals Spalding 3rd XI this Saturday.
JANE PROCTOR SCORED FOR THE LADIES 1ST XI (PIC: MIKE BENNETT)
The Ladies 3rd XI looked to build on victory in their previous game when they travelled to struggling Haverhill, but found themselves a goal down after nine minutes - a lead which held until half time.
Wisbech were back on level terms six minutes into the second half, but found themselves trailing again just 60-seconds later, with Haverhill adding a third goal six minutes later. The hosts wrapped things up with another goal in the 52nd minute. Wisbech will have an opportunity to get back to winning ways when they host Bourne-Deeping 2nd XI on Saturday.
The Ladies 4th XI made a positive start to their game away at Ely City 3rd XI, moving the ball well through the midfield and playing with good tempo, and were unlucky to fall behind to a bobbling effort that found its way into the goal. The hosts capitalised on another opportunity shortly after to make it 2-0 by half time.
Wisbech continued to put together some good moves during the second half, with Player of the Game Sindija Dack playing well both in and out of possession, while the ladies were unlucky not to pull a goal back after being denied by the post. Ely added a third goal before the end, but Lisa Lowe’s side will have plenty of positives to take into this weekend's home game against Peterborough 5th XI.
Goals from Howard Atkins, and Brandon Ruff put the Mens 4th XI 2-0 up inside 16-minutes away at local rivals Pelicans 4th XI, but two quick goals from the hosts saw the teams head into the half time break level at 2-2.
Pelicans made the stronger start to the second half, scoring five minutes after the restart before adding a fourth goal in the 45th minute. Goalkeeper Ian Bell ensured Wisbech stayed within touching distance of the hosts for the remainder of the game, making a string of saves in a Player of the Match performance, but the Fenland side were unable to close the gap. Wisbech host Newmarket 3rd XI this weekend.
The Mens 5th XI battled to a 2-2 draw against Kettering 4th XI in a close-fought encounter at Harecroft Road. Kettering took the lead after 14 minutes, before Ciaran Lowe equalised for Wisbech. The visitors restored their lead on the stroke of half time, scoring from a penalty corner opportunity, but chances continued to come for both sides.
Wisbech eventually got back on level terms 15-minutes from the end, as Willis Ruff converted a penalty shot with a neat finish into the top corner. The men travel to Bourne-Deeping 5th XI this weekend.