Wisbech hockey players boost survival hopes with big win
Wisbech men boosted their survival hopes as they came from behind to secure an 8-2 success at Cambridge City on Saturday.
The team knew the importance of a fast start but found themselves a goal down without touching the ball early on.
But after that it was all one-way traffic as Wisbech dominated possession and created endless chances.
Goals came from Tom Jupp (4), Scott Welcher (2), Drew Harvey and Ryan Jackson.
Wisbech Ladies suffered two disappointing losses this week against league winners Cambs City on Monday night and Cambs Uni on Saturday.
During the latter fixture, Izzy Pope’s two goals kept the home side in the game with the score level entering the last few minutes of the game.
Pope’s second goal was a well-worked solo effort that was slotted past the keeper. Poor game management saw Uni equalise in the last minute.
The final two games of the season will see a Norwich and Wisbech battle with the ladies taking on Norwich City on Saturday and Norwich Dragons on Tuesday 28 as they team look to secure a fifth-place finish.
Thanks go to Drew Hervey, Jonathan Shippey and Jon Ley for the coaching and managing.
Wisbech Men’s 2nds lost 4-1 to their counterparts from Long Sutton.
Starting strongly, Wisbech pushed hard and won an early short corner, but squandered this early chance to make their mark.
Long Sutton took encouragement from this and smashed in two quick goals against the run of play.
Wisbech were shell-shocked for 25 minutes until the returning Josh Porter replied, after Jonathan Shippey had put the ball into the D to Jason Mallet, who seamlessly passed the ball to Porter.
Long Sutton added a third from open play to make it 3-1 at half time.
A half-time roasting gave Wisbech renewed impetus, but they failed to convert three more short corners after the restart.
Luck was on Long Sutton’s side when a short corner interception fell to one of their forwards to make it 4-1 at the close.
Wisbech Ladies 2nds won 5-0 at Kettering.
An early goal from Emma Baker, with a forceful strike from the top of the D, got the ladies off to a good start.
Wisbech went 2-0 up with a tried and tested short corner routine, with Sue Robinson kindly passing the ball to Lou Sandall to convert.
Wisbech’s third goal came when Alice Salmon crossed the ball to Sam Pritchard who was waiting on the back post.
Goal number four was scored by Alice Salmon before Baker netted her second with a lovely strike from a short corner.
Player-of-th- match was Ellie Cavill, who had an excellent game at right back.
Wisbech Men’s 3rds triumphed 7-0 at Cambridge to maintain their unbeaten record so far.
Two consecutive short corner goals from the top scorer Ciaran Lowe settled the nerves before completing his hat-trick and a glorious Rob McGregor strike secured a 4-0 lead going into the break.
Further goals from Lowe, who went on to complete a double hat-trick and Jonathan Boyall followed in the second half.
Wisbech Ladies 3rds shared the spoils with Newmarket in a 1-1 draw.
Wisbech had lots of possession but struggled to get past a strong back three.
Newmarket opened the scoring from a short corner against the run of play, but it wasn’t long before Wisbech equalised through Claire Burton.
Despite enjoying lots of possession, the team were unable to add to their tally in the second half.
Player-of-the-match was awarded to Claire Burton.
Wisbech men’s 4ths defeated St Ives 7-1 in their last game at Harecroft Road before the new pitch is laid.
Playing some brilliant team hockey, Brandon Ruff, Howard Atkins and Simon Hartley, with his first for the club, all scored in the opening 15 minutes.
Joe Dunning was soon on the scoresheet just before half-time.
Although St Ives replied, the home side stepped it up another gear, and a tactic change saw Jordan Bown finally net a deserved goal this season.
Team legend Steve Rogers also secured his first goal for the club as well.
Young goalkeeper Willis Ruff made some good saves between the posts before Paul Jackson sealed the deal with a seventh goal.
Captain Ruff said “To score seven goals as a team and have seven different goalscorers shows how much we have come on this season as a team and hopefully we can carry that through are last two games top secure a top-three finish.”
Despite having a threadbare squad, Wisbech Ladies 4ths picked up a goalless draw against St Ives.
Wisbech fought with grit and perseverance throughout the match.
Once again the team’s strong back line put up an admirably robust defence to keep the visitors at bay.
Strong attacking work through the midfield and forward players kept the field of play level, thanks to some notable turns of speed from Amber King, Zoe Parsons, and Molly Evans.
After an uplifting half time talk from consistently supportive Men’s 3rds players Michael Lawrence and Ciaran Lowe, the Wisbech Ladies met the second half with increased fight and determination.
They proceeded to battle on in their usual indomitable fashion to keep the score locked at 0-0.
