HOCKEY
Chichester 2, IW 5
THE IW put their recent injury worries and a poor string of results behind them to produce an outstanding display against league strugglers Chichester.
The visitors started strongly when Tom Young beat his marker and found James Liddiard at the back post who finished neatly first time.
The lead was increased in similar fashion as the new Young/Liddiard combination linked well again for Liddiard to grab his second, following some great work from Arran Wood and the returning Colin Simmonds on the right.
With a 2-0 lead going into the second half, the IW knew they would be in for a fight.
This proved to be the case when successive long balls from Chichester found their targets and Craig Bruce was left with no chance from a stinging low drive.
Bruce, a regular forward, proved his worth in goal, producing a series of excellent saves but soon the scores were level and the IW had to dig deep.
Their determination led to the side producing some of their best hockey in recent memory.
Young showed more good skill, waiting for the advancing keeper to go down before neatly flicking the ball in to make it 3-2.
Simmonds produced a moment of individual brilliance, showing the defender and keeper one way before dispatching a shot into the roof of the net to make it 4-2.
Only some outstanding goalkeeping prevented Liddiard from completing his hat-trick and the IW, now rampant, played some neat one-touch hockey between Tim Gordon, Andy Graham and Tony Howsam.
Patrick Butt completed a great day’s work when arrived at the top of the D to sweep home for his first goal of the campaign.
The IW will take great heart from the display and with ten points separating places five to 11 in the league, the forthcoming home fixtures will make for a great opportunity to climb the table.
This week the Island entertain Blandford at Smallbrook Stadium, at noon.
IW: Bruce, Allen, Heaven-Gandy, Wood, Gordon, Butt, Graham, Woodford, Simmonds, Howsam, Young, Liddiard.
Wimborne Wayfarers II 7, IW II 0
A nasty injury to goalkeeper Neil Harris made this defeat away to Wimborne all the more difficult to bear.
The side were always going to be up against it, as the vast majority of the regular squad were not available, and only ten players travelled.
The second half was held up for ten minutes, when Harris was hit in the head by a trailing foot, while making a save.
Although the helmet he was wearing prevented serious injury, he did suffer concussion, a bruised jaw and a jarred neck, showing just how dangerous the sport can be.
However, he is expected to make a full recovery in time for this weekend’s match at home to Yateley, where the Island will be hoping to call on their usual players.
The side, up to that point, had played the best defensive game they could and did well to go into the second half 3-0 down.
However, Wimborne really pulled away with Harris’s injury and two outfield players also suffering knee injuries to leave the IW very depleted.
This weekend the side face Yateley at Smallbrook Stadium.