It was a day to forget for Spalding Hockey Club with the ladies’ first team the only side to pick up a point.
They secured a draw at home to Cambridge University third team but all the other six teams in action lost, with an aggregate goal difference of 6-29.
Spalding Ladies 1s 3
Cambridge Univ 3s 3
Spalding faced a tough challenge, made harder by injury but held on to secure a well-deserved point in Division Two North West of the Women’s East League
Spalding dominated the first half and Karen Timby got the opening goal. Cambridge quickly equalised but Laura Grimer found the net twice more to open a 3-1 lead.
The second half saw a shift in momentum as Cambridge regrouped and intensified their attack, being rewarded with two goals. Unfortunately, the game was marred by injuries, with three players sustaining knocks, including Georgina Maplethorpe, who had been playing exceptionally well, who suffered a hamstring injury.
Tabitha Dunnet was named player of the match.
Spalding Ladies 2s 0
Cambridge South 3s 1
One goal was enough to condemn a depleted second team to defeat, also in Division Two North West
Spalding displayed resilience and teamwork, anchored by a stand-out performance, from Charlotte Burt in goal and a player of the match showing from Sophie Wilson in midfield.
Spalding Ladies 3s 1
City of Peterborough 4s 4
A solid defensive display was not enough to save Spalding from defeat in Division Four North West.
Peterborough dominated possession and scored an early goal as the home defensive line was put under immense pressure. Joint player of the match Honor Pearson was outstanding and stopped many attacks before the deficit was doubled.
Joint player of the match Sam Foston converted a short corner into a goal with a cracking strike to make it 2-1 at half-time. Spalding continued to try to fight back but were caught out twice more, despite the valiant attempts of goalkeeper Eliza Morris.
Spalding Men 1s 1
Norwich City 2s 9
Spalding crashed to defeat after finding themselves with many of their team absent for this Men’s East League Division One North encounter.
Spalding started well and passed the ball well but failed to capitalise on the chances.
Norwich broke away to score and home heads quickly dropped as the Norfolk side ran in five more goals before half-time.
After a half time pep talk from stand-in captain Phil Callow, Spalding passed the ball around more effectively to try to slow the game down but to no avail.
Norwich scored a further three goals despite great work from Oscar Haunch between the posts.
In the final play of the game, Spalding won a short corner and Stu Cunnington put the ball away expertly for a consolation goal.
Phil Callow was named man of the match.
Cambridge Univ 3s 7
Spalding Men 2s 1
Three early goals left Spalding facing an uphill task in Division Three North West.
The young Spalding side were left chasing the ball but did manage to score when a quick break found Adolfo Chantre who slotted under the goalkeeper.
The second half saw Cambridge score four more goals to complete a resounding victory.
St Neots 2s 5
Spalding Men 3s 2
A depleted Spalding had a number of players unavailable but held out until the 20th minute of their Division Four North West encounter.
St Neots made it 2-0 before Simon Goode made an excellent clearance off the line to keep Spalding in it. Just before half-time a brilliant goal from Paul Pearson pulled the visitors back only for St Neots to make it 3-1 in quick time.
Goode scored a scrappy goal following a short corner to lift Spalding’s hopes but St Neots then got lucky with a goal that looped in.
Spalding continued to press and were unfortunate not to reduce the arrears but with two minutes left the home side made it 5-2 with a goal that appeared to come off the player’s body.
Newmarket 3s 3
Spalding Men 4s 1
Man of the match Henry Gibbons put Spalding ahead in their Division Five North West match but it was all square by half-time.
In the second half, Newmarket scored from a short corner and added another, despite Rob Callaby’s great job in saving further goals. Spalding had chances, including a couple from Jack Dorsett but could not convert.
The fifth team’s match against Ely City Thirds in Division Six North West was cancelled.
Cambridge 6
Long Sutton Men 1s 3
A hat-trick from man of the match Josh Baker was not enough to save Long Sutton from defeat in the East Men’s League Division One North.
Three goals were, however, enough to secure a point for the second team, who drew 3-3 with Cambridge South Fourths.
Long Sutton Men 3s 4
St Ives 4s 3
James Collingwood scored twice in Sutton’s best-of-seven Division Five North West victory. Adam Pack and Andrew Shore got the other goals with the man of the match honours going to Theo McCabe.
Wisbech Town 2s 2
Long Sutton Ladies 2s 2
Honours finished even in the East Women’s League Division Three North West derby along the A1101.
The deadlock was broken when a ball into the D by captain Hannah Baker was left by the Wisbech goalkeeper, thinking it would go over the baseline, only for it to rebound off a post for Milly Hastings to pop the ball in.
Sutton doubled their lead early in the second half after slick midfield passing was finished off with aplomb by player of the match Florence Perowne.
Wisbech found a way back into the game from a well-struck shot from a short corner and equalised from another short corner.
Ely City 3s 2
Long Sutton Ladies 2s 3
The second team made it three wins on the bounce in Division Five North West.
Annabelle Giles’ great pass into the goal area allowed Aimee Betts to open the scoring.
Ely hit back to take the lead but Giles quickly made it 2-2.
The winner came after the break when Chantil Sinclair struck.
Pictures by Nigel Cookson.
