Spalding Ladies’ 1st 3
Newmarket Ladies’ 1st 0
The game started with Spalding dominating possession, skilfully transferring the ball around the back and pressing forward.
Despite the control, the first half ended 0-0, with Newmarket’s defence holding firm.
In the second half, Spalding came out strong, determined to extend their winning streak.
Charlotte Maplethorpe broke the deadlock with an effortless strike from the top of the D, sending the ball over the goalkeeper’s head into the net.
Spalding’s momentum grew, and Laura Graves added a second, weaving through Newmarket’s defence before slotting home.
After several short corner attempts, Evie Maltby capitalised, securing the third and final goal of the match.
Spalding Ladies’ 2nd 1
Pelicans 6
Spalding Ladies’ 2nds faced a tough challenge, succumbing to a 6-1 loss.
Despite the heavy defeat, there were several positive moments that the team can build on as they adjust following their promotion.
The game started with the opposition quickly taking control, finding the back of the net after three minutes.
Spalding managed to contain the opposition’s attacking play for the rest of the half, with Freya Lee pulling off some crucial saves and a flick.
Pelicans started the second half strongly and quickly scored, defensive errors led to two strokes being awarded which Pelicans aptly converted.
However Spalding showed resilience and found a moment of brilliance that earned them a well-deserved goal.
A clever pass from Vicky Worral down the line reached Lyn Sullivan, who provided a pinpoint cross into the box.
Amy Naylor was on hand to finish the move with precision, slotting the ball past the goalkeeper.
Spalding Ladies’ 3rd 3 Cambridge Nomads 2nd 4
Spalding were strong and passed the ball around the opposition, using the width down the wings, with many an attack on goal.
Nomads were a tenacious opposition, putting pressure on but defender Poppy Hooker stopped many attempts on goal.
However, a short corner saw Nomads score the first goal, shortly followed by a second.
A free hit was awarded to Spalding just outside the D, where it was passed to Sharon Amess who sent a brilliant pass to Terri Robinson, positioned perfectly at the top of the D, who was able to send it straight into the goal.
Not long after Jessica Pilgrim scored to make it 2-2.
In the second half, Spalding came out fighting.
Nomads, not to be put off by this, converted another short corner to make it 3-2.
Spalding fought back with a quick run down the pitch to see the ball passed to Khloe Brewster, who slipped it into the goal, equalising the score.
Nomads fought back, scoring their fourth goal,.
Spalding were not put off and had many more attempts on goal, but it ended 4-3.
Spalding Men’s 1st 5
Wisbech Town Men’s 1st 5
The team remembered their friend and teammate Joe Higgins before the start of the game with Joe’s family joining them on the pitch. His “34” shirt took its place on the sideline with the team.
An emotional start saw Spalding fly out of the traps and take a 1-0 lead through a Stu Cunnington drag flick.
Wisbech came fighting back and equalised with a shot from the top of the D.
Spalding continued to press and a fine solo effort from Jacob Baker saw him give Spalding the lead again.
With the game becoming end-to-end and emotions running high, a 50/50 decision that went in favour of Wisbech saw them equalise from a penalty corner.
Wisbech came out for the second half the stronger team and took an early lead.
Spalding struggled to regain control and lost a further two goals to Wisbech.
With ten minutes to play, Spalding pulled a goal back through a sharp finish from Dan Azzopardi.
This gave Spalding energy to push on and two minutes later a piece of skill from Cunnington found Will Baker on the post to tap home.
Not to be denied, Spalding pressed from the front and won a penalty corner with a minute to play. And in a fitting way in the 34th minute of the second half Cunnington dispatched it to bring the game level to 5-5.
Spalding Men’s 2nd 3
St Ives Men’s 3rd 2
With the sun starting to set the game got underway with both teams contesting well.
Spalding had an advantage in chances, but had to be weary of the quick counter of St Ives.
After building into the game Spalding were able to take the lead through Tim Maltby finishing off a move that scraped through the St Ives defence and they ended the half with the 1-0 lead.
The second half continued in a similar fashion with both teams having chances.
Spalding were able to take advantage through Matt Pottle and claim a 2-0 lead before resting on their laurels too much, conceding a short corner then a goal from a simple mistake to let St Ives back into the game which they capitalised on. A second came not long after.
Closing in on level terms within the last ten minutes, Spalding won a short corner in which Harry Mablethorpe’s hit deflected up from a defender’s stick and looped into the goal giving Spalding the lead.
They tucked in and defended the last five minutes, holding onto the ball where possible.
Spalding Men’s 3rd 2
Kettering Men’s 3rd 5
Spalding 3rd travelled to Kettering in good spirits.
They took a deserved lead early on through Pete Wright.
Kettering then scored three goals quickly which could all have been dealt with better by the away side.
It was then 4-1 after a well taken effort before Ben Scholes pulled a goal back.
Spalding were now pressing hard for a third, which they came close to on a couple of occasions.
Kettering scored a fifth against the run of play and despite a three-goal cushion, chose to wind down the clock.
The second half was a lot better than the first, but Spalding left themselves with too much work to do.
Spalding Men’s 4th 0
Cambridge South 5th 6
From the start, Cambridge controlled possession, taking a 2-0 lead into half time.
Despite Spalding’s solid defence, particularly against 12 short corners (only one converted), Cambridge’s superior play in open situations saw them score four more goals in the second half.
Jack Dorsett was man of the match for Spalding, consistently pushing forward and creating chances in a tough game.
