Tony Howsam (in navy) scored for IW II. Picture by Jennifer Burton.
HOCKEY
THERE were mixed results for IW Hockey Club’s two senior men’s teams, against higher-league Hamble in some new year friendlies last weekend.
The first team earned a creditable 3-3 draw against Hamble II, while IW II lost 8-4 to Hamble III.
In the first team match, Hamble took the lead from a mis-hit, before Colin Simmonds equalised with a flick over the Hamble goalkeepers’ head.
Hamble restored their lead soon after through a well-worked move, but again IW came back, Stephen Woodford scoring.
In the second half, chances were at a premium but Hamble again struck first.
Woodford bagged a second goal however, to level once more and earn the draw.
Meanwhile, the second team were a little bit rusty against Hamble III, having not played a game since the end of November due to postponements.
Several members of the Hamble II squad also played this match, so IW II were up against it from the start, but did well in the circumstances.
Hamble took the lead almost from the start although this was quickly cancelled by Tom Young’s goal.
Despite good goalkeeping from Tom Speer, Hamble broke through to take a 4-1 lead, but again IW pulled one back through Tony Howsam.
Hamble scored their fifth just before the interval, but Young netted just after the restart to make it 5-3.
However, Hamble showed the home side how to finish and two clinical strikes effectively put them out of sight. Young completed his hat-trick with a superb strike on the turn, after excellent hold-up play by Steve Woodford, for a great consolation.
Following a break in play to treat a head injury to Ben Sewell, Hamble scored their eighth to complete victory.
• More pictures in the Friday, January 11, County Press.