Wapping women hit hosts for six

Alex Mitchell in action for Wapping thirds against Waltham Forest (pic Iain McAuslan) (Image: Archant)

Wapping’s women bounced back from defeat against Old Loughts to hit Holcombe for six in their East League Premier Division clash.

Strengthened by the addition of Sarah Burke and Louise Song, they put pressure on the hosts from the start and took an early lead when Belinda Armstrong’s shot was helped in by Jordan Mulvaney.

Jessica Taylor-Tibbott doubled the advantage with a shot from the top of the D and it was 3-0 at the break after player of the match Armstrong got in on the act.

Coach David Messham urged his side to maintain their momentum in the second half, with Lucy Todd and Armstrong combining well through the centre.

Good passing led to a short corner, with Jade White deflecting the strike into the net for Wapping’s fourth goal and it was 5-0 soon after when Todd converted a strike across the D.

Holcombe hit back from a corner of their own, with a well-worked and strike just managing to beat Meg Pugh in the Wapping goal.

But the visitors had the final word as Taylor-Tibbott netted again after more good work from Armstrong and victory leaves them sitting in second place with dreams of a first-ever promotion to the National League very much alive as they prepare to visit Maidstone on Saturday.

Wapping’s men are still waiting for their first win at the higher level, following a 2-1 home defeat against East Conference rivals Brighton & Hove last weekend.

Will Cairns cancelled out a first-half goal by the visitors, but it was not enough as Brighton bagged the points 10 minutes from time and Wapping head to Cambridge City on Sunday.

The seconds lost 3-2 to Shefford & Sandy, despite goals from Dom Oliver and Ollie Davies, but Wapping’s men won seven and drew two of their other fixtures at the weekend.

Ross Townsley’s hat-trick led the thirds to a 5-1 win over Waltham Forest seconds, while Will Epsom bagged a brace as the fourths beat West Herts thirds 4-2.

Tom Hammond’s double helped the fifths down Upminster seconds 5-3, as Rory Cameron’s treble led the sevenths to a 7-0 win over Haverring seconds.

Etienne Stalmans scored twice as the ninths beat Redbridge thirds 3-0 and Aidan Cheslin struck four times as the tenths romped to an 8-0 win over Braintree Academy.

Stalmans struck again, alongside Robin Allen, as the 11th team beat Rochford seconds 2-0, while the sixths drew 3-3 with Chelmsford thirds after Dean Monk’s double.

Oli Kean’s goal earned the eighths a 1-1 draw with Maldon seconds.