There were wins for the Isle of Wight’s Mens’ 1st and 2nd X1 hockey teams as well as the U14 Girls and U16 Boys at the weekend (30th November, 1st December).
To start a cold Saturday at Smallbrook, our Ladies 2XI welcomed Gosport Borough 1XI in a gruelling, end-to-end match. Despite 2 goals from Siena Holbrook and a goal from Aly Townsend, the Island were unfortunate to lose 8-3.
Isle of Wight Men’s 1XI then hosted Basingstoke 2XI in a tightly contested match.
Despite their best efforts, a slow start left the Island side trailing 0-1 at half time. After a rousing half time team talk lit a fire under the Islanders, it was captain Adam Payne to capped off a swift counter attach down the right hand side, finishing a lovely reverse strike into the top corner. Maintaining the pressure, it wasn’t long before Reuben Smallwood-Butler latched onto a loose ball to slot home a fabulous goal.
As tiredness set in, the Island conceded a penalty stroke, which, despite keeper Steph Boyd’s best efforts, found its way in to level the score with 5 minutes to go. Both teams were pushing for the decisive goal in the final minutes, and it was Island star Joe Arnold who stepped up to deliver the final blow.
Full time: Isle of Wight Mens’ 1XI 3 – 2 Basingstoke 2XI
Wightlink Player of the Match: Reuben Smallwood-Butler
On the road, the IoW Ladies 1XI travelled to Romsey in a hard fought battle.
it was the Island who took the lead when a long ball from Saffron Hart found Evie Farihurst, who used her trademark pace and composure to cut into the D from the left hand side, smashing the ball past the keeper. Romsey battled back hard and the Island’s defensive line soaked up the pressure from the attacks.
It wasn’t until late in the game that Romsey equalized after a well worked short corner routine. Both team fought hard until the final whistle and the game ended 1 -1.
Full time: Romsey 1-1 Isle of Wight Ladies 1stXI
Wightlink Player of the Match: Tia Shutler
The Men’s 2XI travelled for a late fixture to face Portsmouth 4XI.
The Island started strong and were relentless with their attacks. It wasn’t long before youngster Rupert King found the back of the net for his first senior goal after capitalising on a goal-mouth scramble.
Shortly after, Tom Young won the ball back and found Carl Joyce in the middle, whose long ball found King in space, his great vision then lead to him finding a pass to Stephen Woodford, who chipped the ball over a diving keeper from the edge of the D.
The Island were not finished yet, with Young finding the back of the net after a slick short corner routine before the break. The Island continued to pile on the pressure in the 2nd half, with youngsters Kit McChesney, Cian Butler, Nathan Phillips, Oscar Purser and Arthur White all put in great performances and played dominating hockey.
The game finished with the Island securing a 0-3 win.
Full time: Portsmouth 4XI 0-3 Isle of Wight 2nd XI
Wightlink Player of the Match: Nathan Phillips
On Sunday, the U14 girls travelled to Alton.
It was in the 2nd quarter that a pass from Annabelle found Elsie who slotted the ball in. Shortly after, Annabelle made it 0-2 with a great hit. In the 3rd quarter, they added to their lead again, when Oli (stepping up from the U12s team) found herself a goal and shortly after that, Annabelle doubled her total for the day. The Island side finished the game 0-4 victors.
Full time: Alton Girls U14 0-4 Isle of Wight Girls U14
Wightlink Player of the Match: Flora
The U16 boys hosted Southampton at Smallbrook. Rupert King and Arthur White scored 2 each and Peter McClellend got himself a goal in a thrilling game that saw the boys win 5 – 3!
