Spalding Ladies’ 1st 6 Kettering Ladies’ 1
The game started with Kettering quickly gaining possession and managing to capitalise off of a defensive error, 1-0.
A few minutes later Spalding was awarded a flick but it was expertly saved by Kettering’s keeper.
Spalding soon found their momentum and began moving the ball between players and gained ground.
Hard work within the middle allowed Spalding to maintain possession.
Later into the half Spalding were awarded a short corner which, following a slap across goal, Georgina Maplethorpe expertly deflected into the bottom corner, 1-1.
Spalding entered the second half looking to improve on the first half performance.
A brilliant through ball from Georgina Maplethorpe allowed Honor Moore to bring the score line to 2-1.
Spalding continued to pass the ball awaiting an opening to advance towards goal.
They were awarded another short corner which Tabitha Dunnett calmly buried into the bottom corner, 3-1.
A few minutes later another short corner was awarded which, again, following a slap across goal, Georgina Maplethorpe expertly deflected into the back of the net, 4-1.
Kettering continued to pressure the defence but they held strong and managed to prevent Kettering from scoring.
A through ball from the defence found Ellie Holland who delivered the ball into the D for Moore to slot home, 5-1.
Towards the end of the match a pass from Sophie Wilson found Charlotte Maplethorpe collecting the ball in the midfield, delivered it into the D for Moore to slot home, 6-1.
All pictures by Nigel Cookson.
Spalding Ladies’ 2nd 0 Cambridge Uni 3rd 9
Cambs Uni won the toss and attacked hard from the first whistle. Four goals scored in the first ten minutes confirmed that Cambs Uni meant business.
Spalding soon got into their stride and stopped Uni from gaining any further goals in the first half.
Solid marking, tracking back plus shear grit and determination appeared to be the winning combination.
Spalding weren’t without their chances, with some excellent advances played down the wing and long balls through to the front, to break through Cambs Uni’s very high defensive formation.
The central core remained strong throughout, feeding the balls through and linking play. However, unfortunately there would be no goals for Spalding.
Cambs Uni continued with their quick attacks throughout the second half, utilising the switch round the back to counter attack as well as players continually swapping positions to keep Spalding on their toes, resulting in five more goals to add to the scoreline.
Spalding Ladies 3rd 1 Cambridge South 5th 4
A cold, dull morning at Glen Park, Spalding Ladies’ 3rd were set to face Cambridge South 5th with a changed lineup from their previous game, eagerly anticipating securing some goals and points.
The game kicked off with Spalding dominating possession initially, but Cambridge quickly seized control and managed to score, leaving Spalding 1-0 down.
Shortly after, Cambridge secured a short corner and capitalised on it to score once more, extending their lead to 2-0.
Spalding came out fighting for every ball, but Cambridge managed to score again, making it 3-0.
Refusing to be defeated, Spalding intensified their efforts.
A well-positioned Terri Robinson picked up a loose ball and drove it into the attacking D for a shot on goal.
Lucy McClements deftly got a touch and chipped it past the keeper, bringing delight to the team with a goal. The score was now 3-1.
Spalding continued their attempts to equalise, but Cambridge managed to score one more time before the final whistle.
Spalding Men’s 1st 0 Cambs Uni 1st 11
On a slightly dreary day, Spalding entertained top of the table Cambridge University 1st.
After a rousing team talk by stand-in manager Will Baker, Spalding were ready.
The game started quickly with the visitors dominating, pouncing on loose passes by Spalding.
Two quick goals in the opening minutes, both originally kept out brilliantly by Oscar Haunch, fell to Cambridge forwards.
The first half continued with the visitors taking the majority of the ball, making it very hard for Spalding to make moves up the pitch.
This pressure led to multiple short corners with one finding the top corner and one saved well by Haunch.
Cambridge continued to apply pressure through the first half scoring six before the half time whistle provided an opportunity for Spalding to reset.
The opening minutes of the second half were much more balanced with Spalding having periods of possession and showing good structure in defence.
Some good leg work from the entire team meant it was hard for the Cambridge team to break down the Spalding defence.
Cambridge managed to find an opening with a good strike from close to the top of the D.
Spalding kept their heads and again provided tough competition for the first 20 minutes, during which Spalding had several ventures into the opposing quarter the most promising leading to a short corner which led to a vicious David Dorey flick well saved by the keeper.
Cambridge’s fitness and organisation became the decisive factor In the second half applying pressure and taking some good chances to add to the scoreboard.
When the final whistle sounded the game ended 11-0 with Spalding much happier with the good spells they showed in the first half of the second half.
Spalding Men’s 2nd 0 Peterborough 5
The game started at a reasonable pace with both teams being patient and building play.
Peterborough steadily built pressure but Spalding’s defence was structured and disciplined holding firm for a good periods of the first half.
It took a piece of evasive action from a Peterborough forward with a bit of luck and he scrambled the ball into goal, 1-0.
Spalding started to play some fluent hockey and created their own chances.
Peterborough rode their luck and on the break managed again to score a scrappy second goal, 2-0 at half time.
Spalding went into the second half determined to keep improving.
Again through some excellent play, Spalding created more chances but unfortunately could not get that crucial score.
Peterborough made it 3-0 from a crash ball into Spalding D and the ball again was scrambled over the line.
The opposition then capitalised from two unforced errors to make the final score 5-0.
Spalding Men’s 3rd 0 4 Bourne Deeping 3
Spalding stunned Bourne Deeping with two late goals to turn the match on its head.
Starting brightly, Spalding created several early chances with Glenn Richardson firing wide of both posts,
Richardson found the net to put Spalding 1-0 to the good, but Bourne gradually got a foothold in the game and scored two goals to leave the score 2-1 at half time.
Spalding continued to create chances and knew they were in with a chance of a first away win, but this looked doubtful when the home side broke and added a third early in the second half.
Continuing to work hard the arrears were reduced when Richardson converted a penalty flick.
With five minutes to go, Spalding won a short corner which was dispatched by Harry Vickers, and just a minute later the comeback was complete as another short corner was well placed in the corner by Richardson.
Spalding Men’s 4th 7 Long Sutton 4
Spalding Men’s 4th secured a thrilling 7-4 victory over Long Sutton Men’s 3rd, overcoming a slow start with a dominant second-half performance.
Dave Burrell starred with a brilliant hat-trick, while Ed Sly scored twice, and Dylan Hind and Henry Gibbons each added a goal to complete the turnaround.
Hind’s outstanding attacking play and coolly taken penalty earned him the man of the match award.
Spalding had a tough start, conceding three goals in the first 13 minutes, including an unfortunate own goal.
Long Sutton took full advantage of the early pressure, leaving Spalding with work to do.
However, Spalding gradually found their rhythm, responding well with some composed passing and determined play.
Burrell led the comeback with two well-taken goals, and Sly added another, levelling the score at 3-3 by half time.
The second half saw Spalding take control.
Burrell completed his hat-trick, while Sly grabbed his second to give the visitors the lead.
Hind continued to make an impact in attack and confidently converted a penalty.
Gibbons also found the net, sealing an emphatic 7-4 win for Spalding.
Despite the difficult start, Spalding’s resilience and attacking quality shone through as they secured an impressive away victory.
