It was a weekend of highs and lows for Isle of Wight hockey teams as the Men’s and Ladies’ squads battled it out across Hampshire, with dominant wins, hard-fought draws and narrow defeats across the board.
LADIES 1XI FALL JUST SHORT AFTER STRONG START AT FAREHAM
The Isle of Wight Ladies 1XI were in action early on Saturday (7th December) with an away fixture against Fareham.
Despite an aggressive start from the home side, the Island settled quickly and began carving out chances through strong midfield work from Polly Rider, Nikki Lloyd, Lizzie Dodds and Saffron Hart.
A perfectly timed forward pass from Lloyd split the defence, setting up Kate Edney to win a short corner. Emily Lord injected, Hart swept goalwards, and Lord got the final touch – deflecting it into the roof of the net to give the visitors a 1–0 lead.
The defensive line of Lord, Jamie Payne, Hannah Pocock, Claire Caddick and Daniela Devenish held firm to maintain the advantage into half-time.
Fareham came back strongly in the second half and found an equaliser midway through the period, despite several standout saves from Wightlink Player of the Match, Bluebell. A late goal from the home team sealed a 2–1 defeat for the Island side.
Final score: Fareham 2 – 1 Isle of Wight
Scorer: Emily Lord
Wightlink Player of the Match: Bluebell
MEN’S 1XI EXTEND LEAD AT THE TOP AFTER STATEMENT WIN OVER SWANAGE
The Isle of Wight Men’s 1XI put in a dominant display at Smallbrook Stadium to defeat title rivals Swanage & Wareham 4–1 in a crucial top-of-the-table clash.
A long aerial from Aaron O’Hanlon-Hoare found Adam Ferreira, who drove into the D and lobbed the keeper for the opener. The Island remained solid defensively with Pat, Aaron W and Ethan marshalling the back line, while goalkeeper Steph made key clearances when needed.
Antonio Ferreira tapped in a second at the far post after a sharp move down the right. O’Hanlon-Hoare then made it 3–0 with a pinpoint drag flick from a short corner.
A late fourth goal sealed the win and stretched the Isle of Wight’s lead at the summit to 4 points. Wightlink Player of the Match went to Kit McChesney for his tireless midfield performance.
Final score: Isle of Wight 4 – 1 Swanage & Wareham
Scorers: Antonio Ferreira (2), Payne, O’Hanlon-Hoare
Wightlink Player of the Match: Kit McChesney
LADIES 2XI HOLD PORTSMOUTH IN DRAMATIC DRAW
With a bare minimum of players available, the Isle of Wight Ladies 2XI hosted Portsmouth and started strong, dominating midfield from the outset.
Layla opened the scoring after a solo run from the Island’s 25. A short corner followed 10 minutes later, with Megan firing home from the top of the D for a 2–0 lead.
Portsmouth responded after the break, with former Island player Michelle Hughes scoring twice to level the match. She missed a penalty stroke late on, sparing the Isle of Wight from a late defeat.
Rosie made her senior debut, and goalkeeper Emma was named Wightlink Player of the Match for her string of outstanding saves.
Final score: Isle of Wight 2 – 2 Portsmouth
Scorers: Layla, Megan
Wightlink Player of the Match: Emma
MEN’S 2XI MAKE IT THREE IN A ROW WITH WIN AT FAREHAM
The Isle of Wight Men’s 2XI continued their fine run of form with a convincing 3–0 away win against Fareham 6XI, despite fielding a reduced squad.
Dave Aked opened the scoring after a clever pass from Mike Dodds, before veteran striker John Pearson rolled back the years to slot home the second. Carl Joyce added a third from a short corner with a powerful drag flick.
Stuart Allen led the defence with composure, and debutant keeper Jack Renouf kept a clean sheet. Pearson earned Wightlink Player of the Match honours for a composed and clinical finish.
Final score: Fareham 0 – 3 Isle of Wight
Scorers: Aked, Pearson, Joyce
Wightlink Player of the Match: John Pearson
