Wild bitten by the Vipers
WIDNES WILD WOMEN ........................................ 3 NOTTINGHAM VIPERS......................................... 5
THE Widnes Wild women’s team suffered defeat in their first Women’s Premier League game of the season as they lost out 5-3 to a well-organised Nottingham Vipers side at Silver Blades Widnes on Sunday.
The game saw the welcome return to the team of Samantha Boyle – who did not play last season – as well as the senior women’s debut of Wild junior player and GB U16 inline hockey international Katie Fairclough, who made a very good impression in what was her first-ever competitive game on ice.
After a fairly even start, the Vipers took the lead with two strikes within 80 seconds of each other to lead 2-0 after just 10 minutes.
The Wild women managed to hit back with a well-taken goal of their own some 40 seconds later as Vanessa Crickmore-Clarke fired in a furious shot from the blue line which was parried by the Nottingham netminder.
Emma Pearson picked up the rebound and duly slotted the puck into the net to pull the Wild back into contention.
The Wild women upped the pressure on the Vipers’ goal in search of an equaliser but were caught out at the back as the visitors scored again on 16 minutes to take a 3-1 lead into the first break.
The Wild came out the stronger for the second period, visibly upping their work-rate and out-shooting the visitors 21 to 19.
They were rewarded with a goal from Amanda Williams after 28 minutes, which, once again, ● brought them to within touching distance of the Vipers.
However, Sav Sumner then picked up a roughing penalty to leave the home side a player short and, shortly afterwards, Sal Roberts was called for tripping, meaning that the Wild would have to defend three on five for over a minute of play.
Netminder Stephanie Drinkwater made some incredible saves during this spell and her hero- ics certainly helped keep Widnes in contention.
They killed off the Sumner penalty and, during a clumsy player change by the Vipers, Leen de Decker stole the puck and raced down the ice to fire in an amazing short handed goal to put Widnes back on level terms.
The Wild were back to full strength 40 seconds later and immediately looked to fire themselves into the lead for the first time in the game but, once again, they were caught out by a quick Nottingham breakaway and the Vipers scored again to make it 4-3 at the end of the second period.
A fifth goal for the visitors within 90 seconds of the start of the third period effectively killed the game off and, while they had numerous chances, the Wild attack were unable to penetrate the stubborn Nottingham defence.
Speaking post-game, Widnes coach, Owen Tennant, said: “The game against Nottingham showed a lot of strengths but also weaknesses in our game.
“The positive of this is that all the weaknesses shown can be worked on and we can make sure to improve before our next game.
“The girls scored three good goals, working plays we had discussed and used in training so I was especially pleased with that.
“The overall performance, however, did not display the quality we have within the team.
“We are focusing on the positives and will be addressing the downfalls during training over the next few weeks.” ● The Wild women play their second game of the new Women’s Premier League season on Sunday, November 5 at Silver Blades Widnes – 5.30pm face-off. ● The RTL-sponsored Widnes Wild men’s team were knocked off the top of the Laidler Division table at the weekend due to them not having a game while second-placed Altrincham Aces picked up to two victories. The Aces now lead the table by one point, although they have played a game more.
The Wild are back in action this Sunday when they entertain the third-placed Sheffield Senators at Silver Blades Widnes. Face-off is at 5.30pm and doors open at 4.45pm.