The Isle of Man English Hockey Championships campaign commenced at the weekend with the Women’s Masters Over 45s team taking to the pitch. This was the first in a number of Senior, Junior and Master matches that the Island will be playing in over the next 3 weeks.
The Masters teams commence their campaigns in the competitive Tier 1 Competitions in contrast to Senior and Juniors who enter at the Tier 2 level, which is the target level for the Island Teams.
The Women’s Masters Over 45 were drawn against Tier 1 stalwarts Formby in Round 1 who regularly make appearances in quarter finals and beyond in this competition.
Injuries and unavailability meant a more defensive Island team took to the pitch on Sunday and together with several new players being introduced to the squad meant a slightly unsettled start to the fixture for the IOM side.
Formby, a well drilled side, were held by the Manx ladies as they stepped up their game and began to play a more attacking style of hockey, with Sam Franklin and Ros Lynch pushing forward from the midfield. The defence marshalled in the centre by Jan Lewis held tight until the half hour when Formby found the net to take the lead . The first of four superbly executed corners by Formby saw them go into half time with a 2/0 lead.
A decision to move Niamh Goddard and Sharon Pope from the midfield to up front and joining forces with Elaine Wiseman led to a more attacking formation and the Manx were rewarded with a goal from Kirstie Guy.
The defence held tight with Jenny Lantry joining Lewis in holding off numerous attacks from the very talented Formby forward Line. Jo Hicks, IOM keeper pulled off numerous saves to keep the Manx side in the game until the 45th minute when the well drilled corner routine of Formby paid dividends again and two more corners late in the second half saw the Formby side take the win 5/1.
The Manx side now head into Tier 2 next month with plenty of learnings to take forward from last weekend’s encounter.
