THERE were mixed fortunes for the Isle of Wight Hockey Club's ladies' teams in the Hampshire League yesterday (Saturday).

                             HAVANT LADIES II 4, ISLE OF WIGHT LADIES I 1
A POOR first half gave the Islanders too high a mountain to climb in the second half at Havant.

The game started well for Isle of Wight, as they pinged the ball around in midfield, leaving the hosts chasing shadows.

In one incisive move, the ball found Evie Fairhurst to neatly slot past the keeper and put the Islanders in front. 

But Havant did not have to wait long to level — a neat effort into the bottom corner giving keeper Tia Shutler no chance. 

Despite all the hard work they put in to restore their lead, from Dani Devenish and Katy Ednay, coupled with solid defending when needed, Havant read the game well and got their second — a tap in from a well-worked short corner. 

Two further Havant goals quickly followed to put them 4-1 at half-time.

The second half was made much more difficult for the opposition and the Islanders won numerous short corners, which they were unable to convert. 

Emily Lord put in a notable performance to earn the player of the match award.

 

                     ISLE OF WIGHT LADIES II 5, PORTSMOUTH LADIES' IV 0
WITH control of the game from the first whistle, the final score did not flatter the Islanders at Smallbrook.

The Isle of Wight side, virtually camped in the Portsmouth half, made the breakthrough after ten minutes — Dee Sanchez-Brown deflecting in Megan Bridger’s cross. 

Keeping up their momentum, the Island were soon rewarded with another goal — this time from Anya Clarke, whose shot was fortuitously deflected in off a Portsmouth stick. 

The same player quickly added a third, but the goal was disallowed by the umpires. 

Despite the setback, Clarke grabbed her second goal — again, from a deflection. 

The Isle of Wight's stand-in keeper, Jarrison Smith, was a spectator for much of the game, as their defensive line snuffed out Portsmouth attacks. 

The home side then made it 4-0 from player of the match, Sophie Parkhouse, who flicked the ball in from another Bridger centre.

The hosts continued in the same vein in the second period — controlling possession, but this time struggling to find the net after creating a hatful of chances.

Portsmouth conceded their fifth when a Beth Bransom shot was saved by the keeper, only to fall to Megan Bridger to tap home.

The win saw Isle of Wight climb to fourth.