Southampton University 4 – Isle of Wight men’s 1st XI 5
The men’s 1st XI played away to a strong Southampton University team and were evenly matched. Both teams started well although Southampton drew first blood, with a scrappy breakdown in a short corner leading to a 1-0 score line.
The Island came back fighting with Tom Turney and Adam Payne linking up well with each other to add two goals to the Island’s tally. Just before the final few minutes of the first half, the Island added a further goal to go into the break with a 3-1 lead. With the second half underway, Southampton bounced back with two very quick goals to level the playing field.
Lewis Heaven-Gandy, Stuart Allen, Samuel Challis and Alex Breach were vital in absorbing the Southampton attack on numerous occasions. Keeper Tom Speer saved a two-on-one attack on goal after the opposition broke clean through the Island’s defence, but sadly, Southampton scored another, putting the score 4-3 in their favour.
The Island knew they had to act fast, and their efforts were rewarded when Adam Payne calmly slotted past the keeper to level the scores once again. With seconds to go the whistle went, and the umpires awarded the Isle of Wight a short corner. The ball was injected and scrappy clearances and shots on goal followed. The whistle blew again – penalty stroke to the Island. Stepping up to get the job done, Adam Payne roofed the ball into the goals net, giving the Island the well-fought win.
Wightlink Player of the Match: Adam Payne.
Isle of Wight Women 1st XI 5 – Chichester 0
The women welcomed Chichester to Smallbrook Stadium, anticipating a good competition. They were not disappointed and much of the first half saw Chichester keep possession and put the Island press on their toes. However, the Island were up to the task and prevented their opposition from creating any clear chances. Building from this the Island started to attack, with Lola Marfleet driving into the D and winning a short corner; which Jaimie Payne dispatched into the backboard.
The Island grew into the game, which saw Alice Mines and Saffron Hart tirelessly disrupt the Chichester flow and distribute the ball to the forwards. Quick passing through the midfield found Jaimie Payne in space on the right of the D and she put the ball emphatically into the net.
Two goals up at half-time, the Island found their flair and form against the tired legs of Chichester’s bare eleven side. Beautiful linking play found Lola Marfleet, whose energy and effort was rewarded with her slapped shot finding its way through the keeper and Sarah Shaw’s persistent harrying paid off with an excellently executed reverse stick strike.
Any chances Chichester created were cut down with some flawless picks by Kirsty Fraser who marshalled the defence, and Emily Lord who has flourished as left-back this season. Jaimie Payne completed her hattrick with a fortuitous reverse calamity, which finished off a serious champagne team move.
Wightlink Player of the Match: Jaimie Payne
Alton 2 – Isle of Wight Women 2nd XI 1
Despite a delayed and cold conditions, the women 2nd XI started well and had the upper hand in their match against Alton. With the game predominantly in their half, the Alton defence kept their cool and the Island’s attack at bay.
The best chance of the half came from Megan Bridger, who having beaten most of the Alton team, selflessly passed the ball for Cully Trevallion to slot home – but a great piece of defending saw the ball go wide of the post. A couple of great saves from debutant Island keeper Lara Boote ensured the score remained at 0-0 at half time.
The second half started much like the first but the Island side were rewarded for their efforts when a quickly taken free hit was fired across the circle for Dee Sanchez-Brown to tap into the back of the net.
This fired up the Island and they continued their great play, but it was Alton who got the next goal. A scramble in front of the Island’s goal with a variety of offences missed allowed the home side to even the score. Both teams upped their game and poked on the pressure producing more excellent saves from both keepers.
Unfortunately for the Island, with minutes to go Alton were able to find the net again for the win. In a close fought battle, it was an amazing performance from the women’s 2nd XI, arguably one of the best of the season!
Wightlink Player of the Match: Lara Boote
News shared by Lewis on behalf of Isle of Wight Hockey. Ed
