Widnes Wild Women’s Team 2 – Whitley Squaws 3
Period Scores: 1-1, 0-1, 1-1
Shots On Goal: Widnes 32 – Whitley 28Penalties in Minutes: Widnes 16 – Whitley 10
Widnes Scoring:
Leen de Decker 1+0, Charlene Chapman 1+0, Emma Pearson 0+1, Catherine
Bowen Fell 0+1
Whitley Scoring: Amy Campbell 1+2, Stephanie Towns 1+1Referee: Mark Whittle
The Widnes Wild women’s team secured second place in
the EIHA Women’s Premier League in their first season at this level, despite
losing at home to Whitley Squaws 2-3 on Sunday in a hard fought and
entertaining game at Silver Blades, Widnes.
With challengers Milton Keynes Falcons narrowly
losing at home to champions Swindon Topcats in their last league game later in
the day, it meant that the Wild women couldn’t be caught and that the scoreline
in their own game was – luckily - immaterial.
With Widnes having won 2-10 away in the North East a
few weeks ago, you might have expected this return match to be a largely
one-sided affair but that was far from the case. With a few players missing, and some having
to play out of their normal positions, the Wild team seemed to missing a
certain spark whereas the Squaws looked very well organised and played with
determination and spirit throughout the game.
Despite this, the game started very evenly and
Whitley opened the scoring at 6.55 when Melissa Gough slotted away a pass from team
captain Amy Campbell. The home side
rallied from this early set back and got themselves back on level terms with a
goal from Leen de Decker on 14.23 (asst Emma Pearson). The score remained level at the first break
and Widnes came out all fired up for the second period but were unable to make
the most of the pressure that they were putting on the Whitley net.
This turned out to be the most penalty-littered of games that we have seen from the Wild women at home this season and it was, unfortunately, the penalty count that led to their downfall on this occasion.
Whitley’s second goal of the game (25.58 – Campbell,
asst Stephanie Towns) came from a powerplay opportunity, while the Wild were
shorthanded from a holding penalty and their third goal (47.50 – Towns, asst
Campbell) came on a tripping powerplay.
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| Elizabeth Wright receives the Widnes MVP award from Lucy London |
Widnes captain Charlene Chapman battled through to
put the Wild women back in the game on 53.50 (asst Catherine Bowen Fell) and,
with the pressure that followed, one might have expected a dramatic late
equaliser and another 3-3 home draw. But
it was not to be. The Squaws upped their
game again and defended most resolutely.
Widnes pulled their netminder for that last 30
seconds or so but were unable to take any advantage from the extra player and
Whitley held on to pick up their first away victory since November and only
their 4th win of the season overall.
The Squaws are at home next Sunday in their last game of the season – with Chelmsford Cobras the visitors. Whitley are assured a 6th place finish in the WPL irrespective of the result although they will undoubtedly be keen to finish the season on a winning note.
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| Amy Moran receives the Whitley MVP award from Lucy London |
The Vipers provide the opposition at Silver Blades
Widnes next Sunday for the Widnes Wild women’s team’s last game of the season.
Face off is 5.30pm and admission is free.
Wirral-based writer, broadcaster and historian Lucy London was on hand to present the MVP awards at the end of the Widnes v Whitley game. You can read more about her current projects HERE
