Both the Isle of Wight’s men’s 1s and ladies’ 2s picked up points in their away games on Saturday (18th February).
The men’s 1XI travelled to Poole. The Island defence was holding firm until a skewed clearance found an unmarked attacker to put a wayward shot in off an island foot (1-0).
The island regrouped, settling into the game with Carl Joyce finding a marauding Tom Gould. The midfield of Joseph Arnold and Stephen Woodford worked hard alongside a men’s 1XI debut from Gareth Holmes. He managed to find Tom Young, who deftly found a Poole foot to win a penalty corner, which Adam Payne calmly slotted home (1-1).
The Island came out fighting in the second half. An aerial ball found Young, who placed the ball past the advancing keeper, only to see it narrowly miss the far post. The ever-eager Finn Woodford pounced on a poor clearance, only to have his shot smothered by the Poole keeper.
A hobbling Gould managed to win another penalty corner for Payne to fire home (1-2). Poole ramped up the pressure, determined not to leave empty-handed. However, with goalkeeper Steph Boyd marshalling his defence, the island kept them at bay.
Full time: Poole 1XI 1-2 Isle of Wight men’s 1XI
Goals: Adam Payne (2)
Wightlink player of the match: Adam Payne
The ladies 2XI competed against Havant 4XI.
The Island were expecting a tough game; which it proved to be. It was, however, the Island who took the lead early on, as Sophie Parkhouse added another goal to her season tally (0-2).
The play was even for most of the half and either side could have scored, with both teams coming close on several occasions. The Island got their 2nd when a melee of shots was put in by Anya Clarke (0-2).
Havant ramped up the pressure in the 2nd half, displaying some lovely hockey through the midfield, which, unfortunately, their forwards did not make the most of.
Havant were starting to get rattled, and the game got a little more physical, but the island kept their cool and continued to play their game. Despite a succession of shot corners towards the end of the game, the island couldn’t find the net again.
Final score: Havant 4XI 0 – Isle of Wight ladies 2XI 2
Goals: Sophie Parkhouse (1) and Anya Clarke (1)
Wightlink player of the match: Sophie Parkhouse
