Spalding Men’s 1s 6 Felixstowe 1s 0
Spalding started confidently against a well-organised and experienced Felixstowe side, which resulted in Joe Rogers scoring an early penalty corner into the roof of the net.
The two teams traded a number of penalty corners; Spalding keeper. Oscar Haunch, saved well on multiple occasions to keep Spalding in the lead.
The hosts saw this out and regained composure which led to another penalty corner from which Stuart Cunnington extended Spalding’s lead.
After a flurry of green cards for the home side, they regrouped for Rogers to add a second penalty corner before half-time.
During the first ten minutes of the second half Spalding defended well against a motivated opposition, before Cunnington produced a skilful run and an accurate reverse-stick strike to beat the visiting keeper at the near post.
James Grant produced a similarly accurate shot from the top of the D after a free-flowing move to take Spalding to five.
With Spalding playing with confidence, they continued to press; a penalty corner then resulted in a penalty stroke on the 66th minute which Jacob Baker dispatched professionally to round off a strong Spalding performance from the whole squad and a 6-0 win.
Kettering 2s 1
Spalding Men’s 2s 1
Spalding Men’s 2s travelled to Kettering for a game that had a bit of everything.
The first half was a very even affair. Both sides had their moments, but it was Kettering who went into the break 1-0 up. Spalding created opportunities, but the notoriously slow pitch was making things difficult for them to finish.
The second half started very quickly and finally Spalding got their breakthrough.
From an unconventional short corner, the ball broke to Reuben Rogers, who slotted it past the oncoming keeper to make it 1-1.
The final ten minutes got more intense with a Kettering player picking up a five-minute yellow card but Spalding held firm, seeing out the game to take a hard-earned point.
March Town 2s 3
Spalding Men’s 3s 4
Spalding 3s faced March Town 2s away, with Spalding gaining a well-deserved victory.
Both sides tried to gain the upper hand within the first few minutes. Ultimately, Spalding succeeded, as their attackers worked to create an opening, and Dylan Hind scored within six minutes.
March, trying to even the score, were unable to pass through Spalding’s tough line of defence. Spalding kept persevering with their relentless attacks up the pitch, and were able to control the game for most of the first half, creating space for excellent play, working their way around March’s defenders, which ultimately led to a second goal by Tim Maltby on the 20-minute mark.
March then fought back and levelled the score with two quick goals just before half time.
In the second half, decisive play led to another Maltby goal after 45 minutes.
The home team persevered, creating multiple short corner opportunities, most of which were excellently defended, however one slipped through to level the score once more.
Spalding came back fighting and Ethan Worrall sealed the points in the final minute of the match to take the three points.
Spalding Men’s 4s 1
St Neots 3s 0
Spalding Men’s 4s jumped out of the relegation places of the East League Division 5NW with a hard-fought victory against St Neots 3s.
The hosts started off well and kept their opponents to two half-chances in the first half.
Spalding created chances of their own but couldn’t put the ball in the net.
The second half started as the first, with Spalding defensively strong.
The improvement in the side was clear to see with good passing and moving of the ball and the home side got the only goal of the game.
Alex Myland put the perfect ball across to Matthew Dorsett and he finished confidently.
St Neots rolled their sleeves up, but a tiring Spalding held firm.
Cambridge City 6s 0 Spalding Ladies’ 1s 2
It was a warm day for Spalding Ladies 1’s second visit to Cambridge this season.
With great teamwork and dominant possession from the start it wasn’t long before Ellie Holland opened the scoring, finding the top corner with a rocket shot from the top of the D.
However, two minutes later captain Karen Timby was injured and out for the remainder of the game.
Despite this huge setback, the team continued to work hard to support each other and on 15 minutes, Kate Amess added Spalding’s second goal.
There was some excellent passing from back to front, and tireless effort in the middle of the pitch by Roz Dennis and Leanne Pick with the team moving the ball confidently and creating opportunities.
Spalding Ladies’ 2s 1 Bourne Deeping 2s 4
Spalding Ladies 2s put in a determined performance against an experienced Bourne Deeping side, showing plenty of positive play despite the final scoreline.
Spalding started strongly with sharp link‑up play that created early chances and several short corners, but they couldn’t find the finishing touch.
A well‑timed through ball from Kelly Tizzano set up a promising solo run from Sam Foston that went just wide.
Anya Knights produced some crucial saves to keep Spalding in the game.
Eventually Bourne Deeping found the backboard to take a 1-0 lead into half time.
Spalding responded well after the break, driving forward with good passing combinations, but again, the final touch proved elusive.
A converted penalty stroke and two quick goals during a difficult spell extended Bourne Deeping’s advantage to 4-0.
Spalding continued to battle, pushing forward with determined play down the wings.
Their persistence was rewarded late on when a penalty corner was calmly finished by Khloe Brewster to secure a deserved consolation goal.
qSpalding juniors put in brilliant team performances away at Horncastle, facing teams from the Grimsby, Lindum, Louth, Horncastle and Brigg.
In what was a fantastic day of hockey, there were some brilliant performances from both age groups. U10s: Four wins and one loss, U13s: two wins, three draws and one loss.
There was some great teamwork, determination and plenty of positive play throughout the day.
