The Isle of Wight’s hockey teams had a mixed start as away matches resumed this week.
The Island men’s first team saw themselves away to Fareham. The Island side took an early lead through Adam Payne. Pin-point accuracy in the midfield and a solid wall of defence meant the opposition’s attack was often stifled.
Fareham took a goal off their deficit after slotting home a flick and then decreased it further by rebounding a few moments later. Undeterred, the Island put one more goal away before half-time.
The second half was a flurry of goals, with Samuel Challis, Tom Turney and Alex Breach all comfortably on the score sheet by the final 10 minutes.
Despite the Island’s keeper deflecting an aerial shot, Fareham clawed one goal back in the dying minutes.
Fareham 3 – Isle of Wight 8. (Goals from Adam Payne (4), Samuel Challis (1), Tom Turney (2) and Alex Breach (1).)
The women’s first team faced Trojans in glorious sunshine and soaring temperatures, hoping to make it 3 wins from 3 games. Despite missing some high-impact players, the Island’s bare eleven were quickly out of traps, putting their inexperienced opposition under pressure. Tireless work and energy from the forwards led to a series of short corners.
After several breakdowns, Katy Ednay was able to convert from a cross. The Island maintained pressure with defensive switches, creating acres of space out wide. Georgia Whittle was on hand twice to slot the ball past the keeper through a close-range attack. The Trojans managed to catch the Island on the break and were able to score a well-executed short corner and claw one back for a 3-1 halftime score.
The second half saw the Island side tire and struggle to capitalise their control of the game, however, Trojans were unable to force their way through the Island’s stalwart defence and Georgia Whittle completed her close-range hat-trick.
Isle of Wight 4 – Trojans 1. (Goals from Katy Ednay (1) and Georgia Whittle (3).)
The men’s second team kicked off their season at home to Basingstoke. The home side started strongly but conceded against the run of play following a short corner. Basingstoke soon won another short corner and scored again.
Still pressing hard, the Island won a penalty flick after the opposition’s keeper obstructed play. Mike Dodds coolly slotted the ball in to make the score 2-1.
An equaliser came almost immediately in the second half after Thomas Young struck a short corner ball into the bottom corner. Basingstoke struck back on the break and quickly found 2 goals, despite great efforts by goalkeeper Lewis Wells. The Island continued to push and John Pearson, free on the far post, slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Isle of Wight 3 – Basingstoke 4. (Goals from Mike Dodds (1), Thomas Young (1) and John Pearson (1).)
The women’s second team travelled to Petersfield with 9 players. Not expecting too much from the game, especially as the opposition had 15 players, the Island side nevertheless made a great start controlling the play.
Their efforts were rewarded with an opening goal after dogged determination from Megan Bridger saw the ball hit the backboard. Petersfield got their equaliser not long after, with a breakthrough in the middle exposing the Island’s lack of players. The hot October sun and benefit of substitutions for the opposition saw the Island tire, which allowed Petersfield a couple more goals.
Petersfield 4 – Isle of Wight 1. (Goals from Megan Bridger (1).)
