Hockey teams storm to vital victories

Wisbech Men’s 2nds 1

Horncastle Men’s 1sts 3

Horncastle Men’s Firsts moved to within a point of leaders St Ives following their 3-1 victory away at Wisbech Seconds.

The away side had comfortably beaten their hosts earlier in the campaign, but knew their opposition had improved in recent weeks.

Wisbech started the stronger of the two sides and put Horncastle under considerable pressure from the off.

But they were unable to turn this pressure into goals and good movement from Foster, Howden and Read allowed Horncastle to work their way into the game.

However, Horncastle fell behind to a well-worked breakaway goal, Wisbech taking advantage of a high Horncastle backline, breaking in numbers and getting their forward into a one-on-one with Murrell in goal.

Despite making an excellent initial save, the Horncastle keeper was unable to stop the ball crossing the line.

Horncastle bounced back strongly, forcing a penalty corner which was flicked home in style by Foster.

The second half was as closely contested as the first but the majority of actual chances continued to fall to Horncastle, with A. Cartwright and Bee becoming increasingly influential.

Horncastle made the most their improved attacking play when Scott was able to round the keeper and give his side the lead.

After withstanding some Wisbech attacks, the three points were sealed when Horncastle scored their second penalty corner of the match.

Foster’s initial flick was palmed out to Read and his accurate reverse stick finish finally broke the Wisbech resistance.

A. Cartwright and Foster shared the man of the match award and Howden made an excellent debut.

HORNCASTLE: Murrell, J. Cartwright, Bradley, Yeldham, Seymour, Bee, A. Cartwright, Scott, Read, Howden, Foster.

East League - EWL Division 4NW(N)

Horncastle Ladies’ 1sts 8

Newmarket 2nds 0

Horncastle Ladies thrashed Newmarket Seconds 8-0 at home.

The hosts applied strong pressure from the off and, shortly into the game, won their first attacking short corner.

K. Wood injected the ball to the top of the D where E. Tokelove struck the ball home.

The second goal came from a ball into the back post from A. McConnachie, with I. Williams waiting to tap it home.

Another strong attack from K. Wood saw H. Wood slot home the third.

Newmarket tried to break down the home side but this proved fruitless as a penalty corner made it 4-0, I. Williams getting the final touch.

Another short corner saw saw G. Lewis power home number five. A superb individual goal from G. Lewis added the sixth, before she also grabbed the seventh and eighth goals.

Player of the match was B. Spendlove.