Apted opener joy shortlived

HOCKEY

NE14 MEN'S HOCKEY, EAST PREMIER DIVISION A

Cambridge University 5 Wisbech Town I 2

WISBECH'S league woes continued when they encountered a very well-drilled and confident side.

Wisbech took the lead with a deflected Brad Apted short corner strike, but the students were soon level when they converted a penalty stroke.

Two more goals saw Wisbech trailing 3-1 at the break but they were confident that they could come back.

They enjoyed a lot of possession and put Cambridge under pressure for extended periods and finally gave themselves hope when Luke Smith prodded the ball home.

Any hopes of a comeback were killed off immediately though as University restored their two-goal advantage straight away.

A late fifth goal sealed the win but Wisbech were not to despondent after a good performance.

Wisbech host Blueharts tomorrow at 2.30pm.

NE14 MEN'S HOCKEY DIVISION 3NW

Wisbech Town II 5 Bourne II 0

WISBECH managed their fourth league win on the bounce and moved up to fourth.

A decent performance saw Wisbech win 5-0 with Gary Freear scoring two in the first half with Aaron Cobb opening the scoring. In the second half Freear completed his hat-trick and Lee Peck added a fifth man of the match Gary Freear.

Next week Wisbech travel to face March firsts in a local derby with a 4pm push back in what is sure to be a competitive game.

TROPHY MATCH

Bexleyheath 2 Wisbech II 1

AFTER a long trip down to Kent, Wisbech started this second team trophy match poorly and found themselves 1-0 down after five minutes.

Wisbech equalised when Gary Freear drew the keeper before slipping it to Aaron Cobb to finish.

Wisbech had numerous short corners but could not turn their possession and chances into goals.

This cost them dearly in the second half when a debated short corner led to a second goal for bexleyheath and despite all there pressing wisbech could not force an equaliser. MOM Matt Pooley

NE14HOCKEY MEN'S HOCKEY LEAGUE 5NW

St Ives IV 0 Wisbech Town III 6

WISBECH'S in-form team who are still unbeaten this season, produced a fantastic performance on Saturday to go top of division 5NW for the first time this season, they put six goals past a good St Ives team who where made to look very ordinary at times during this encounter. In past weeks Wisbech have been slow to get going but this week they got the ball moving from the off and scored early with Phil Norman scoring a cracker with his reverse stick, then Tim Wong scored a simple chance to take a 2-0 lead into half time. In the second half the Wisbech where in scintillating form moving the ball around at will and score four great goals, one of these came from Tim Wong who finished superbly after a great cross from the right. During this half, right winger Adam Thomas who had been struggling for form of late in the 4th team, was a late replacement for Matt Goodwin, was superb and showed his full potential scoring a memorable hat rick and finished off three brilliant team goals, the forward line was run very well by Richard Claxton who is effectively using his experience on the younger forwards around him. Man of the match for the second week running went to Tim Wong who scored two, set up two and created many more chances, in an all round excellent display.

Wisbech IV 5 St Neots IV1

WISBECH bounced back after last week's loss to Market Deeping and stay top.

Wisbech played some attractive hockey but did not create any clear cut chances and went 1-0 down even though there looked to be a foot involved.

The second half very different with Wisbech dominating play and were soon on level terms after a good team goal finished by Adam Fairbrother.

Wisbech carried on pushing forward and Fairbrother scored his second from a short corner and then scored his hat-trick with a good finish from the top of the D.

Lee Punter, playing his first game for the fourths, rounded off the scoring with 2 really well taken goals.

Wisbech host second place March next week.