UNBEATEN STREAKS EXTENDED DURING BUSY WEEKEND
Wisbech Town HC saw both first teams pick up points at the weekend, while two other sides managed to continue their own unbeaten streaks.
The Ladies 1st XI climbed out of the Division 1 North relegation zone with a hard earned win away at Peterborough 2nd XI. Wisbech were a little slow out of the gate, but worked their way into the game and began to create opportunities, with Izzy Pope continuing her goal scoring streak to give the Fenland side the lead.
Peterborough were quick to respond however, levelling before the break. Wisbech continued to see chances come their way early in the second half, even having a goal disallowed after it appeared Jane Proctor had restored the Wisbech lead. The hosts played with more aggression, but the Wisbech defence held firm before Player of the Game Lucy Lim put the ladies ahead again, beating two players before firing into the bottom corner.
Wisbech will look to make it a third win on the bounce when they host Cambridge South this weekend.
The Mens 1st XI were left frustrated by a late goal, drawing 3-3 with St Ives at Harecroft Road. Wisbech made a bright start to the game, with Player of the Game Ollie Overland putting the home side ahead after 15 minutes. St Ives were able to equalise five minutes later, but Overland restored Wisbech’s lead in the 28th minute.
Jonny Garner’s drag flick finish two minutes before the break put Wisbech 3-1 ahead, with Jason Mallett narrowly missing out on making it four, as his backhand strike cannoned off the crossbar shortly before the half time whistle.
OLLIE OVERLAND SCORED TWICE FOR THE WTHC MENS FIRST TEAM.
St Ives made a quick start to the second half, pulling a goal back to set up a tense final frame. Wisbech went close to restoring their two goal cushion, but were unable to find the back of the net and were unfortunate to concede a late penalty corner four minutes from the end, from which St Ives equalised.
The result still means the men have picked up points in each of their last three games, with a trip to third placed Cambridge HC next up, Wisbech’s final game before the Christmas break.
The Ladies 2nd XI secured a point against 3rd placed St Ives 2nd XI in their Division 3 North West clash at Harecroft Road. Wisbech were the stronger side during the first half, taking the lead after 13 minutes thanks to Sam Pritchard’s deflection, but were unable to add to their lead before the visitors equalised in the 26th minute.
Wisbech’s defence remained solid, despite coming under more pressure during the second half, with Player of the Game Olivia Jackson helping to keep St Ives at bay, whilst goalkeeper Kirstie Harrison saved a penalty shot. The ladies will look to extend their unbeaten run to four games when they travel to Cambridge South 4th XI this weekend.
Facing a youthful Peterborough 3rd XI, the Mens second team slipped to a 7-0 defeat; but will have the chance to bounce back on Saturday when they host Cambridge South 2nd XI, who sit just one place above them in the Division 2 North West table.
SAM PRITCHARD WAS ON TARGET FOR WTHC LADIES 2ND XI.
Goals from Ciaran Lowe and Willis Ruff helped the Mens 3rd XI secure a point against Kettering 3rd XI at Harecroft Road. Lowe gave Wisbech the lead after 25 minutes, but the visitors struck back within ten minutes of the restart.
Ruff’s 56th minute goal pulled Wisbech level, but neither side was able to add to their tally leaving the final score at 2-2. Wisbech travel to Newmarket 2nd XI this weekend.
A goal two minutes from time denied the Ladies third team a hard earned point away at Peterborough 4th XI. The team will be back on home soil this Saturday, when they play Cambridge South 5th XI.
The Mens 4th XI extended their unbeaten run to three games courtesy of a 2-1 win away at St Ives 4th XI. The hosts took the lead just over twenty minutes into the first half, but Wisbech managed to rally during the second period.
With St Ives pushing forward, Wisbech created a number of opportunities on the counter attack, and were eventually rewarded thanks to Jonathan Boyall’s intelligent finish. The Fenland side got their noses in front eight minutes from the end, when Brandon Ruff managed to deflect the ball past the St Ives’ keeper with a deft touch. Some excellent game management helped Wisbech withstand the pressure during the closing stages, securing a valuable win. The men host Spalding 4th XI this week.
The Ladies 4th XI hoped to build on a positive performance the previous week as they travelled to St Ives 4th XI. Wisbech started well but couldn’t find success in the St Ives circle before the hosts scored from a penalty corner which ricocheted of the Wisbech goalkeeper and the frame of the goal before crossing the line.
Wisbech picked themselves up at half time, making a strong start to the second half, with Player of the Game Yasmine Ibrahim, and Laynie Thompson linking up well in the centre of midfield, but St Ives were able to add a second goal with a neat finish at the back post before adding another goal from a penalty corner.
WTHC MENS 5TH XI VS CAMBRIDGE SOUTH 6TH XI
Hosting Pelicans 3rd XI, the Ladies fifth team put in a hard working performance to secure a point on home soil. Bailey Hanrahan gave Wisbech the lead after 15 minutes, linking up with fellow forward Annabelle McGregor to create an early opportunity for the home side. Pelicans were able to level shortly before the break however.
The second half saw both sides working hard for a second goal, with goalkeeper Rachael Archard making a number of good saves in the Wisbech goal to maintain parity, while the home side had opportunities of their own to claim victory, but the score remained 1-1 at the final whistle.
Wisbech Ladies fourth and fifth teams play each other this weekend, in their final games before the Christmas break.
The Mens 5th team was also in action at Harecroft Road, playing some good hockey but ultimately succumbing to a 5-0 loss to Cambridge South 6th XI, who currently sit 2nd in Division 6 North West. Wisbech travel to Spalding 5th XI this weekend.
PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Chapman