WEEKEND YIELDS MIXED RESULTS
It was another mixed weekend for Wisbech Town Hockey Club’s teams, with the Ladies 1st XI setting out with a point to prove, following defeat the previous weekend. Facing 3rd placed Norwich Dragons, Wisbech took the game to the visitors from the off, but were unable to find a way through before the break.
Buoyed by their first half performance, Wisbech started the second frame in strong fashion, and were rewarded when Jo Gomm’s superb reverse finish beat the Norwich goalkeeper to put the Fenland side ahead. The visitors pushed back, working Wisbech’s defence hard, and eventually converted a short corner opportunity 10-minutes from the end to see the honours split evenly.
This weekend, the Ladies 1st XI travel to St. Ives, where they will look to build on Saturday’s performance.
Despite a strong performance away at Cambridge University 2nd XI, the Mens 1st team were disappointed to come away from Saturday’s game with nothing following a 2-1 defeat.
Forward Jamie Hallatt was on target for Wisbech again, while goalkeeper Will Smithee and defender Jason Esser both put in big performances, but the Fenland side were left frustrated by umpiring decisions relating to both Cambridge goals, with team captain Charlie Baxter lauding his teams effort following the game in what he called a “thoroughly undeserved defeat”.
Baxter’s side will get the chance to bounce back this weekend, when they host Cambridge Nomads (1:45PM).
Wisbech Ladies 2nd XI travelled to Long Road College to take on Cambridge South’s 3rd team, with goalkeeper Lexie Klibanecz making a series of excellent saves as the hosts piled on the pressure from the off.
Despite Klibanecz efforts, Wisbech ultimately succumbed to a 4-2 defeat. Emma Baker and Sam Pritchard were on target for Wisbech, who will now turn their attention to Saturday’s home game against Huntingdon (3:30PM).
The Ladies 3rd team picked up their first win of the season, beating Ely’s 3rd XI 2-1 at Harecroft Road. Following a goalless first half, Louise Cooper opened the scoring for Wisbech early in the second half, with captain Nicola Greville also on target for the home side, while Lisa Jackson picked up the Player of the Game award following a strong performance in defence for Wisbech.
This weekend, the Ladies travel to Kettering.
The Mens 3rd XI came up against a strong Spalding side, and despite goalkeeper Aiden Falkus saving a penalty flick early in the game, Wisbech found themselves 1-0 down at half-time after several periods of sustained pressure from the visitors.
Spalding doubled their lead early in the second half, and as Wisbech ran into trouble with the umpires, the visitors pulled away, leaving Harecroft Road with a 4-0 win.
The 3rd XI take on local rivals March this weekend.
Goals from captain Brandon Ruff, Mathew Boyally, and Howard Atkins helped the Mens 4th XI secure a 3-0 win against St. Ives 5th team on Saturday, with goalkeeper George Purrell recording a clean sheet, while defender Martin Woollard claimed the Player of the Game award.
"It was a great team performance,” Ruff said after the game. “I can’t fault the boys; they defended really well, and were great in attack. It was a brilliant effort.".
The 4s are away to Spalding 5th team this weekend.
The Mens 2nd XI will also be in action again this weekend, after having no game on Saturday. Jonathan Shippey’s side host St. Ives 3rd XI (12PM), when they will be looking to return to the top of East Men's Division 3 North West.