The Isle of Wight Men’s Hockey 1st XI came out top in a 7-goal thriller against Southampton University
Knowing it would be a hard-fought battle against Southampton Uni, the island opted for a half-court press. The island capitalised on Southampton’s loose balls and Joe Arnold, Adam Payne and Tom Gould troubled their defence. The break came when Payne wrong-footed the keeper and was taken out, winning a penalty stroke. After an HIA (head injury assessment) that proved inconclusive, Payne slotted home. Determined running from Henry Edwards and Arnold managed to play a through ball which won a penalty corner. Aaron O’Hanlon-Hoare stepped out and sent the ball top-bins. Half-time came with the island 2-0 up.
After a 2nd HIA, the opposition keeper was deemed AWOL, so there was a slight delay for a substitute keeper. A quick start from Southampton saw the island start to tire, and the Uni team scrap their way onto the scoresheet. The island woke up, and a long ball found Payne, who laid off to Arnold who slotted the ball between the keeper’s legs.
The defence of Patrick Butt, Lewis Heaven-Gandy and Ethan Edmunds-Lamb came under constant assault. Island keeper Steph Boyd kept the opposition at bay for a time, making fantastic saves, but was unable to weather the onslaught. Southampton capitalised, scoring a short corner and followed up with a 3rd shortly after. At 3-3 with 3 minutes remaining on the clock, Edwards slotted a pass to a crippled Gould at the top of the D, who hobbled his way around the keeper and slotted home into an empty net.
Full time: Southampton Uni 3-4 Isle of Wight 1XI
Goals: Adam Payne (1), Joe Arnold (1), Aaron O’Hanlon-Hoare (1) and Tom Gould (1).
Joint Wightlink players of the match: Joe Arnold and Tom Gould.
Isle of Wight 2XI 1-2 Basingstoke
The men’s 2XI faced Basingstoke at home. The island started well, with Mike Dodds and Carl Joyce linking up in the centre, with Alex Breach and Jack Curtis supporting from the wings. This led to Thomas Young scoring from a short corner, securing a goal for the Island. Unfortunately, Basingstoke soon scored from their own short corner, despite the best efforts of Stuart Allen on the post. Half time 1-1.
The island deteriorated in the 2nd half when Basingstoke beat the defence, despite Toby Noyes’ best efforts and scored past goalie Lewis Wells in a 1-on-1. Basingstoke were awarded a green card after a dastardly foul against Nik Goode near the island D.
Basingstoke soon managed to get another short corner. This time, the shot was valiantly saved off the line by Stuart Allen, redeeming himself from earlier. With their 2-1 lead Basingstoke played a half-court press, and the Island struggled to get themselves back into the game, apart from a shot from Thomas Young, which cruelly hit the post.
Goal: Thomas Young
Wightlink players of the match: Toby Noyes
Wimborne Wayfarers 2-2 Isle of Wight ladies 1XI
The ladies 1XI travelled to face Wimborne Wayfarers. The Island dominated the game. Wimborne’s runs were cut out by defenders Emily Lord, Kirsty Faser, Claire Caddick and Crys O’Connell.
Within 5 minutes, the ball was worked up top and the island won a short corner. Saffron Hart swept the ball, where it was stopped by the keeper, but Fraser touched the deflected ball through the keeper’s legs over the line.
Wimborne’s passes and long balls were intercepted by Pip Spibey, Sarah Shaw and Hart in the middle, and the defence fed any breakaway balls back out to Dani Devenish and Kayleigh Pullen.
Wimborne got their equaliser just before half-time. The Island hassled Wimborne’s defence, and their passes were very nearly broken by Bea Pink, Lola Marfleet and Katy Ednay. The Island got their 2nd from another short corner 55 minutes into the game; Hart’s straight strike smacked the backboard.
Wimborne hit back, working their way slowly down the right side and met by a wall of Island opposition. With seconds left on the clock, they won a short corner, which was put away after a scrappy lifted ball was deflected in.
Goals: Kirsty Fraser and Saffron Hart
Joint Wighlink players of the match: Saffron Hart and Sarah Shaw ️
