Spalding Ladies’ 1st 7 Cambs South 2nd 0
The game commenced with Spalding in possession, determined to open the scoring.
In quick succession, Laura Graves received a powerful pass from Jess Ball and used her mesmerising control to open the scoring.
Just a few moments later, a beautiful top corner strike was carried out by Graves, however, this goal was disallowed due to it being the first shot on a short corner.
As the first half continued, Cambridge kept pushing for an equaliser, but outstanding defending from Tabitha Dunnett, Stephanie Wilson and Karen Timby enabled Spalding to maintain their lead.
After crucial saves from goalkeeper Freya Lee, a counter attack from Spalding led to a passing sequence between Charlotte Maplethorpe, Honor Moore and finally Graves, who extended the lead and finish the half 2-0 up.
Just minutes into the second half, Spalding were awarded a short corner which was quickly converted by Maplethorpe after a slip to the left post.
A fourth goal was then slotted home by Maplethorpe and another just minutes later, giving her a hat-trick.
Cambridge kept pressing but Spalding’s sharp, accurate passing allowed them to breakaway once more for Ball to carry out a shot on goal, which was accidentally tapped over the line by Moore.
Finally, Graves rounded up the scoring with her third goal allowing Spalding to maintain their strong lead at the top of the table with a 7-0 win.
Spalding Ladies’ 2nd 1 Peterborough 1
Peterborough took the lead early in the first half, from a short corner and fumble, whereby the ball slipped past keeper Char Burt.
With the pressure mounting, the team showed great character and determination to respond.
Burt made some cracking saves throughout the game while there was also great defensive skills on show from Sam Maltby and Pippa Bembridge.
In the second half, the team produced a piece of attacking brilliance that showcased their excellent communication and tactical awareness.
Later Erin McMurray managed to get a slight deflection, wrong-footing the keeper and sending the ball into the back of the goal for Spalding.
In the final stages of the game, both sides pushed for a winner, but neither could find the decisive breakthrough, and the match ended 1-1.
Spalding Ladies’ 3rd 0 Wisbech 5
The match started with much energy from both teams.
Spalding put together some dazzling plays up the wings from Jessica Pilgrim and Eloise Doughty.
Some amazing passes were made to Lucy McClements and Khloe Brewster upfront, which led to some chances in the opposition’s D, but the opposing goalie made some good saves.
The opposition managed to score three goals in the first half.
In the second half, goal keeper Eliza Morris made some miraculous saves.
Kelly Tizzano managed to play the ball around the opposition and became a key player in getting the ball into the D.
Spalding tried desperately to maintain their ground, but two more goals slipped in.
Spalding showed good spirit in the last ten minutes and managed to keep the score to 5-0.
Spalding Men’s 1st 3 St Ives 1
The game started with Spalding slow to get off the mark, being second to every 50/50 and lacking momentum, but, as the minutes ticked by, they started to find their rhythm and upped the pace.
From this point on Spalding looked the better team and comfortably controlled the game.
On the ten-minute mark Ethan Person got hacked down just past the half way line. He got to his feet, took the free hit quickly, rounded four defenders, before reaching the top of the St Ives’ D and quickly dispatched and unstoppable reverse stick strike which found the top left corner.
After the restart, St Ives applied pressure of their own to the Spalding defence.
Spalding dealt with this well, with Oscar Haunch making some great saves.
However unfortunately, after a controversial decision where the ball was deemed to hit a Spalding foot, a short corner was given and St Ives levelled the score.
Spalding reacted quickly, lifted their heads and found their groove again.
With some quick passing Spalding won a short of their own where Stu Cunnington slipped the ball to the left post, before Jacob Baker deflected the ball into the St Ives’ net.
After the restart Spalding continued pushing forwards.
St Ives lost a few players in quick succession to the sideline, following a string of green cards.
Spalding punished them with the overload, eventually finding space on the left side of the pitch where Josh Baker slapped the ball towards the penalty spot, allowing Will Baker to confidently deflect the ball into the St Ives’ goal.
Spalding Men’s 2nd 1 Pelicans 2nd 2
The first half was more in control from Pelicans with keeper Rob Callaby keeping Spalding in the game even after going 2-0 down.
After an inspiring half time team talk, Spalding responded, playing much better as a team, with a goal from Matt Pottle.
Spalding Men’s 3rd 1 Kettering 4
Spalding lost 4-1 to champions elect Kettering in a game that was much closer than the score line suggests.
The first half was very even after Glenn Richardson equalised following an opening short corner against the run of play for the visitors.
In the second half Spalding kept the league leaders on edge, but a string of misses in front of goal and two defensive lapses handed the visitors a decisive advantage.
Kettering played with aggression and pace throughout and showed why they will win the league.
Richardson saw yellow late on as his frustrations at failing to complete chances got the better of him.
Spalding Men’s 4th – no game
Spalding Men’s 5th 3 Pelicans 2
For once, Spalding had the advantage in having a slightly older side, however you would not have thought it against a very well drilled, technically proficient side who caused Spalding several problems.
With the game being split into quarters, Spalding started brightly, however the home side took the lead in the first quarter following a short corner routine that saw the ball powerfully flicked home.
Following the first break, Spalding started to really get into the game and forced some short corners, but they couldn’t get the final shot away and the no further goals were added in the second quarter.
The third quarter saw Spalding build in confidence as they started to play some excellent free flowing hockey.
The pleasing element was the way that the moves were built from the back using the channels effectively and they equalised with the fifths goal of the season so far.
A first time shot nestled into the bottom left-hand goal and Spalding were at parity with their hosts.
This move came after an excellent short corner routine that saw the initial shot saved on the line illegally and a penalty stroke awarded.
Superb goalkeeping saw the shot saved however it is credit to the young side that their heads didn’t drop.
It was all square at the end of the third quarter and the game was evenly balanced.
However, the fourth quarter proved to be end-to-end and exciting for the spectators.
Pelicans retook the lead with a wonderful reverse stick shot that dipped nicely underneath the bar however the travelling side never let their heads drop.
In fact, they dug deep into their reserves and equalised through a close range forced effort after a period of sustained pressure and gave the Spalding forward a well-deserved goal. It got even better when they took the lead thanks to a great finish.
Spalding held out under pressure as the home side tried to find an equaliser, but it was not to be for them.
In conclusion it was a good performance against a very good side.
Action from the Men’s 2nd game. Photo by NIGEL COOKSON.
