It was an exciting first weekend of the new season for the Isle of Wight Hockey Club.
The first game of the weekend saw our Ladies 1XI take on Fareham 2XI, at Fortress Smallbrook,
in a tightly contested match in a battle of fine margins. The game was played with speed and skill by both teams. The defensive set up of Hannah Pocock, Emily Lord, Claire Caddick, Jaimie Payne and Saffron Hart were controlled and organised backed up by Alexa and Emma who made an impressive debut.
Much of the game was played in the middle where Lizzie Dodds, Mia Lawrence, Polly Rider and Nikki Lloyd worked tirelessly to hold the opposition and build attacks. Fareham drew first blood with a pin-point short corner strike. The island rallied and the high press forced defensive mistakes from the opposition. Evie Fairhurst pounced, crossed the ball to Layla Holbrook in the ‘D’ whose reverse shot hit the body of a defender on the line. Lloyd stepped up and calmly dispatched the penalty flick in to the net.
Despite tireless effort and brilliant defensive work, quick passing from Fareham unlocked the Isle of Wight defence for them to retake the lead before half time.
In the second half, the Island came out fighting. They dominated chances and created numerous opportunities: the tempo and effort and pressing were superb. Excellent link up play between the midfield and forwards saw Evie make a trademark run into the D and she unleashed a fantastic reverse strike into the bottom corner. Jaimie had a wicked strike blocked on the line and their keeper made a series of sensational saves including denying Lizzie with the slightest of touches. At the other end, Alexa made some epic saves and Emily pulled off a phenomenal goal line clearance plucking the ball out of the air to deny a certain goal.
Both teams left everything on the pitch and the passion resulted in a flurry of cards for both sides. Fareham capitalised on an island error to earn a short corner. Alexa made a superb first save but the rebound was deftly dispatched into the net by a Fareham attacker. The island continued to pile on the pressure, but Fareham would not be to be beaten.
The game ended as a 3-2 loss to a well-established division 1 side. However, the island showed their potential and class leaving nobody in any doubt that this is where they deserve to be playing.
Scorer(s): Nikki Lloyd, Evie Fairhurst
Wightlink Player of the Match: Evie Fairhurst
Away from home, the Men’s 1XI began their season away to Swanage & Wareham 1XI. The Island side made a slow start, struggling to find their rhythm as Swanage & Wareham applied early pressure. Despite being on the back foot, the visitors defended resiliently and took their chance when it came, with Adam Payne finishing off a well-worked penalty corner. However, it was Swanage & Wareham who led 2–1 at the half-time whistle.
The second half brought a much-needed improvement. With goalkeeper Nate Bower and defenders Ethan Edmunds-Lamb, Arran Wood, Seb Foster, Alex Breach and Pat Butt holding firm, the Island began to grow into the game. The midfield unit of new Captain Joe Arnold, Mike Dodds, Carl Joyce, Adam Payne, Sam Challis and Finn Woodford linked up well with forwards Antonio Ferreira and Thomas Young to dictate play and create more opportunities.
Their persistence was rewarded when Alex Breach’s mid-air strike was stopped illegally by an opposition defender, resulting in a penalty flick. Payne stepped up confidently and converted his second of the match to level the scores. Both sides pushed for a winner, but with neither able to find the decisive goal, the game ended 2–2.
Scorer(s): Adam Payne (2)
Wightlink Player of the Match: Adam Payne
A new-look Isle of Wight Ladies 2nd XI kicked off their season with an away trip to Portsmouth Ladies 3s – the same opening fixture as last year! This time there was plenty of optimism, with a full squad making the journey.
Portsmouth struck early with a goal inside the first couple of minutes, but the Island side responded almost immediately as Flora slotted home to level the score. Both teams then settled into the game, playing some excellent hockey. Portsmouth regained the lead through ex-Islander Michelle, but the visitors refused to let their spirits drop. A brilliant solo run from Phoebe set up Flora at the far post, who was unlucky to miss her second, before Megan showed superb stick skills to beat the defence and nutmeg the keeper to make it 2–2 at half time.
Re-energised by the obligatory half-time Haribo, the Islanders pushed hard in the second half, but it was Portsmouth who struck again – once more through Michelle. The Island kept battling and were rewarded when Alice produced a lovely, lifted finish over the keeper to level things up again. Unfortunately, despite a valiant effort, Portsmouth found a late winner to seal the match.
There were plenty of positives to take from the game, with league debutants Lillian, Molly, Emily, Elsie and Flora all making an impressive start to senior hockey. Special mention goes to Blue, who stepped out of goal to deliver a superb performance in midfield.
Despite the result, it was a strong opening performance from the Ladies 2s, who showed plenty of fight and promise for the season ahead.
Scorer(s): Flora, Meg, Alice.
The Men’s 2XI wait for next weekend to start their season after Fareham 6XI forfeited their match, giving the Island side a 5-0 walkover
