Isle of Wight Ladies 2XI played the first game of the day at home on Saturday as they hosted Petersfield 2XI.
The Island had some new faces starting for them, due to half term, but this did not stop them from starting off strong.
After some good defending, Megan Bridger picked up the ball just inside Petersfield’s half and dribbled past 3 defenders before calmly slotting the ball past the keeper. Petersfield levelled the score shortly before halftime and the score was even at halftime.
The visitors upped their game in the second half and despite the Island’s best efforts and some lovely passing hockey, it was Petersfield who found the net a further 2 times. As the full-time whistle blew, it was Petersfield who left with a 3-1 win.
Wightlink Player of the Match – Megan Bridger
The Mens 2XI then took to Smallbrook to face Gosport 1898.
In an even match up, both sides started well and were playing some good hockey and creating chances.
Gosport were the first to capitalize on one of their chances. The Island continued playing their hockey and it wasn’t long before they won themselves a short corner. Stephen Woodford injected to Thomas Young who calmly played the ball back to Woodford who took a touch before placing the ball calmly past the Gosport keeper.
The Island kept up good passing hockey but were on the receiving end of a well-worked short corner that put Gosport 2-1 up at halftime.
The second half saw the Island pushing to equalise as they kept creating chances in the final third. With 5 minutes left to play, Oscar Purser found himself with the ball on the right wing, beat a defender and passed the ball to Carl Joyce who hit a reverse stick strike through the keeper’s legs to level the score. Unfortunately, this was not enough for the Island as Gosport then upped the anti and managed to score twice in the last few minutes to finish the game 4-2.
Wightlink Player of the Match – Oscar Purser & Nate Bower
The Ladies 1XI were the only senior side to play away this weekend as they played Petersfield 1XI.
The Island started brightly as Evie Fairhurst pounced on a loose ball and converted her shot to give the Island the lead. As the game progressed, Petersfield found the goal themselves as a deflected shot found its way past keeper Tia Shutler to level the game before halftime.
The second half saw both sides creating chances. With just 5 minutes to go, some good team work down the left hand side saw a pass which found Katy Ednay, perfectly positioned in front of goal, whose reverse flick beat the Petersfield keeper to restore the Island’s lead. The Island then won a short corner as the final whistle blew. After a goal mouth scramble Georgia Whittle shot a rebound into the net to finish the game 3-1 to the Island!
Wightlink Player of the Match – Sophie Parkhouse
On Sunday, the U16 Boys travelled to Trojans in the National Cup.
The Trojans came out in full force and the Island side battled hard. Despite a stunning Oscar Purser goal, the Island were unfortunate to lose 4-1. They will now play in the next round of the National Plate!
Wightlink Player of the Match – Oscar Puser