It was a weekend of strong performances across the Isle of Wight’s hockey teams, with standout wins for the Ladies 1XI, Men’s 1XI and Ladies 2XI, while the Men’s 2XI held league leaders Salisbury to a hard-fought draw.
The Isle of Wight Ladies 1XI returned to Smallbrook Stadium on Saturday (20th January) to face Trojans, a tougher test than the 10-0 win they recorded in their previous outing. Trojans started brightly, earning early short corners, but were denied by a series of excellent saves from keeper Elsie Jenkinson and a crucial goal-line clearance by Emily Lord.
Once the home side settled, their midfield began to dominate. Polly Rider, Jaimie Payne, Mia Lawrence, Lizzie Dodds and Sophie Parkhouse linked up well, forcing Trojans into defensive mode.
The first goal came from a short corner, with Emily Lord injecting cleanly for Saffron Hart to fire a powerful strike inside the post. A second followed shortly after as Payne set up Evie Fairhurst for a run along the baseline, her shot rebounded and was buried by Katy Ednay.
Ednay added her second with a composed finish after a deflection, before Rider rounded off the scoring with a looping effort from another short corner routine. The defence, including Claire Caddick and Hannah Pocock, remained composed under pressure as the Islanders sealed a 4-0 win.
Scorers: Katy Ednay (2), Saffron Hart (1), Polly Rider (1)
Wightlink Player of the Match: Polly Rider
The Isle of Wight Men’s 1XI travelled to Andover sitting 6 points clear at the top of the table. Despite playing into a low sun in the first half, the visitors controlled possession with a high press. Antonio Ferreira was denied early, but he soon opened the scoring by pouncing on a rebound from a short corner.
Adam Payne doubled the lead, and a third goal after the break followed a short corner routine that rebounded off the post before being lifted over the goalkeeper.
Andover pushed late on, but the Island defence held firm with key contributions from Ethan and goalkeeper Boyd. The match ended 3-0, keeping the Islanders top of the league.
Scorers: Antonio Ferreira (2), Adam Payne (1)
Wightlink Player of the Match: Gareth Holmes
The Ladies 2XI dominated away at Basingstoke 6XI, with Megan Bridger scoring five times in a 7-0 win. She completed a first-half hat-trick before Molly added a fourth just before the break. Blue made it five with a well-placed finish early in the second half.
Bridger added her 4th from open play and completed her haul from the penalty spot after a short corner was stopped on the line by a defender’s foot.
Scorers: Megan Bridger (5), Molly (1), Blue (1)
Wightlink Player of the Match: Megan Bridger
In a fiery fixture at home, the Men’s 2XI became the first team this season to take points off league leaders Salisbury Striders in a 1-1 draw.
Jasper Jenkinson, on debut, scored with his first touch after a sharp team move involving Thomas Young and Jonny Kirby. Despite going down to nine players at one point, the Island side held on through crucial interventions by goalkeeper Nate Bower and a diving save on the line from Sam Challis.
Salisbury equalised early in the second half, but neither side could break the deadlock in a tense final period.
Scorer: Jasper Jenkinson (1)
Wightlink Player of the Match: Jasper Jenkinson
What a lovely group photo, everyone looks to be a nice person