There were mixed results for the IOW hockey teams: the men’s 1st team earned a double-digit win; the ladies had a disappointing defeat.
The ladies 1st team welcomed a strong Southampton University ladies team for a top-of-the-table clash. The Isle of Wight made their breakthrough when Jaimie Payne’s cross ball evaded all but Marfleet on the far post for an easy finish (1-0). Southampton hit back immediately with a quick break, catching the defence on the run, resulting in a penalty corner. The ‘Smallbrook bobble’ – usually an aid for island teams – proved their undoing as the Southampton shot bobbled onto the edge of the stick of Payne, the subsequent deflection evading the pads of goalkeeper Tia Shutler.
HT: IOW Ladies 1-1 Southampton University
A back-and-forth second half saw some stunning hockey from both sides. Unfortunately for the Island, it was Southampton Uni who added to the score line within the final 5 minutes. Having defended so well the whole game, the Isle of Wight allowed a Southampton player too much space on the edge of the D. A flick on goal proved too much for keeper Shutler, who had to watch the ball sail past her outstretched hand. Despite pushing hard, the island could not find an equaliser.
Final score: IOW Ladies 1-2 Southampton University
Up next on home turf were the men’s 1st XI against Swanage and Wareham.
As the Island’s attack piled on the pressure in the first 10 minutes, they won a short corner and made the most of the opportunity with Tom Turney scoring the first goal of the game (1-0). Adam Payne then upped his goal tally scoring in the 10th (2-0) and 16th minutes (3-0). After some great team work building from the back, Aaron Hoare fired the ball towards the far post where Stephen Woodford slotted home for the 4th goal (4-0). Another IOW short corner saw Aaron Hoare get his name on the score sheet with a rocket drag flick (6-0). Just before the break, Adam Payne completed a first half hat-trick by slotting a reverse shot into the bottom corner from the top of the ‘D’ (7-0).
HT: IOW Men 7-0 Swanage & Wareham
In the second half, Swanage & Wareham came out of the starting blocks with newfound confidence (7-2). Two goals in ten minutes gave them a fighting chance. Not to be swayed, the island found their rhythm once again which saw A. Hoare double his tally for the game through another short corner (8-2). And then came the goal that caused the debate of the game! Played across the ‘D’, Samuel Challis struck the ball goal bound where Alex Breach was stationed to add the last touch. After serious debate and confidence from both halves, final decision, Samuel Challis goal! As the game came to an end, Adam Payne secured double figures for the island with two more reverse shot goals in the last ten minutes (10-2).
Final score: IOW Men 10-2 Swanage and Wareham
The ladies’ 2nd XI travelled away to face Hamble anticipating a tough game.
Hamble opened the scoring with a cracking short in the bottom corner of the goal (1-0). Shortly after, the island ladies evened the score with a quickly taken free hit fired into the D for Lotty Green to score (1-1). Some contentious decisions started to affect the island’s concentration, allowing Hamble to take the lead again (2-1). The Island began to pile on the pressure and after earning a short corner, they got their second goal with a shot from Aly Townend deflecting off a Hamble stick into the goal (2-2). Staying on the attack, a superb run along the baseline from Sophie Parkhouse saw her find Anya Clarke on the p-spot to slot the ball home (2-3).
HT: Hamble 2-3 IOW Ladies 2nd XI
The 2nd half and a change of ends saw Hamble gain the advantage. A succession of short corners put pressure on the island’s defence and despite some great saves, they added another 3 goals to their tally (5-3). The Island continued to battle and clawed a goal back, again from a short corner strike by Townend (5-4). A last-minute short corner for the island side came close and the final whistle went with another short awarded. With the whole team coming up, the island was denied by a great interception from the Hamble defence ending the game.
Final score: Hamble 5-4 IOW Ladies 2nd XI
The IOW Men’s 2nd XI travelled away to face Alton 4s.
The Island side was full of enthusiasm, putting out a strong team despite some key teammates playing up and others sporting injuries. The game started with immediate pressure from Alton, who scored their first goal within 5 minutes, after a communication breakdown between the island’s back 3 (1-0). A 2nd followed minutes after the restart, when the ball struck a defender’s foot in the ‘D’. The island defence hesitated, waiting for a whistle, and Alton slotted the ball in the goal (2-0).
Tom Young had multiple opportunities to bring the island back into the game, but his shots went wide or were parried by the excellent Alton keeper. His efforts culminated in a suspect green card for a raised stick in the ‘D’ in the final minutes of the game. Taking control of a loose ball from a short corner, Tomas Turjanica put the island side on the score sheet. Controversy followed, and initially the goal wasn’t given as it was a lifted ball, but everyone including an Alton defender pointed out it had been deflected off a defender stick and the goal stood (2-1). Hard work from Reuben Smallwood-Butler on the right and a couple of goal line saves from Toby Noyes and Ashley Metcalfe kept Alton out until their third and final goal with five minutes to go (3-1).
Final score: Alton 3-1 IOW Men’s 2nd XI
