Spalding U18 Girls 3 Stamford AFC U18 2
Spalding United U18 girls secured a hard-fought victory over Stamford U18 in a match that proved far closer than it perhaps should have been.
The visitors took the lead in unfortunate circumstances during the first half when a defensive mix-up resulted in a back-pass finding its way into the Spalding net for an own goal.
Spalding responded well, however, and drew level when Chloe Revell produced a superb individual moment – driving forward on a strong run before finishing confidently to make it 1-1 at the break.
Spalding started the second half with greater intent and soon turned the game around.
Logan Calderwood timed a run perfectly to meet a superb through ball from Grace Bradford into the box, which put Calderwood one-on-one with the approaching keeper and she calmly slotted home to give Spalding a 2-1 lead.
The hosts then pushed for a third and it soon arrived.
Revell burst into the penalty area and fired a shot across goal that struck the far post, with Miri Jacombs reacting quickest to follow in and finish from close range to extend the lead to 3-1.
However, Spalding briefly switched off and some uncharacteristically slack play at the back allowed Stamford back into the game as they pulled a goal back to make it 3-2.
Spalding pushed hard to restore their two-goal cushion but couldn’t find the fourth.
Stamford also had a couple of chances late on, but Spalding managed to see out the match and secure a very close win.
A mention must be made for the battling that was done against a very physical Stamford team in the middle of the park by Grace Bradford, Nicola Krajewska and Millie Wales – all were solid and determined.
As a team it wasn’t Spalding’s best performance, but grinding out results and winning even when not playing at their best is exactly what’s needed if the championship is to be won.
The result sees the team maintain their position six points clear at the top of the Cambridgeshire league.
The visitors put on a very strong performance. Certainly on that display, their team don’t deserve to be in the league position that they are.
Formed this season by coaches Conrad Quinn and Steve Forsyth, the team is going from strength to strength offering an excellent standard of football.
They are in the County Cup final against Newmarket on March 25 and are also top of the Cambridgeshire League with only a few games to play.
Aged 15-17 years old, many of the girls attend local Spalding schools and also train together at Peterborough POSH Academy.
