Spalding Men 1st 4
Harleston Magpies 2nd 4
Spalding battled to a thrilling eight-goal draw in East League Division One North on a cold and wet afternoon at Glen Park.
The visitors struck first with an early short corner goal but Spalding responded quickly with Jacob Baker finding the net from open play.
James Grant converted a short corner to give Spalding a 2-1 advantage but they were reduced to ten men when Liam Fravigar took a tactical green card to break down a Harleston attack.
Amid the intensity, captain Sam Howitt displayed great composure by picking a superb aerial ball, only to be taken out by a Harleston attacker, which left him on the floor for several minutes.
As the first half drew to a close, Harleston scored again to make it 2-2 at the interval.
Howitt received medical attention from Mike Morris, allowing him to return to action for the second half.
The visitors started the second half strongly, scoring from open play to regain the lead, only for Spalding to respond through Stu Cunnington, whose well-taken goal brought the sides level once more.
The excitement continued as Harleston added another goal but, with the clock ticking down, Baker showcased his skill with a composed finish, dribbling past the goalkeeper to slot home the equaliser. Baker’s eventful afternoon continued when he received a green card for hitting the ball away.
In the dying moments, Spalding keeper Oscar Haunch produced a brilliant save to preserve a point for his team.
Baker’s two-goal display and all-round performance earned him the man of the match accolade.
Cambridge City 3rd 7
Spalding Men 2nd 0
Hopes of getting any reward from Three North West leaders were dashed by the skilful and organised team, who passed the ball around with ease.
Rob Callaby was kept busy, pulling off saves to keep Spalding in it but City soon opened the scoring.
Tom Pilgrim won a penalty corner, leading to Spalding coming close to an equaliser. However, City scored a second but Spalding kept the opposition at bay, soaking up the pressure and trying to counter with no more goals before the break.
Cambridge added their third but Spalding had moments of brightness, although could not keep the ball, allowing Cambridge to keep applying the pressure.
The hosts kept adding to the score line to complete their win but it was made tough for them with Callaby playing well and Dan Wright and Ethan Worrall impressing on their debuts.
Pelicans 3rd 3
Spalding Men 3rd 0
The third team faced a tough task, with 12 of their regular squad either away or playing up due to unavailability.
Even so, Spalding started the Division Four North West fixture well and, despite enforced breaks for
stand-in captain Simon Goode and the evergreen Dave Burrell, it was 0-0 approaching half time.
Unfortunately, two late first-half goals turned the game. Spalding fought hard but Pelicans added a third with ten minutes left.
City of Peterborough 6th 2
Spalding Men 4th 0
A depleted fourth team called on youth to boost their ranks for the Division Five North West trip to Peterborough with Sam Hicks and Matthew Dorsett drafted into the side.
Spalding were under the cosh from the start against a well drilled and skilful side but held firm under intense pressure. They turned round all square, thanks to their defending, some luck with Peterborough hitting a post, and stunning goalkeeping from man of the match Steven Thurlbourne.
In fact, Spalding could have gone into the break one up but for a fine save by the Peterborough goalkeeper to save Andy Barlow’s stinging shot.
Unfortunately, the second half started in the worst possible fashion as Peterborough took the lead.
Spalding nearly levelled matters when Barlow’s short corner flew agonisingly past the right post.
It wasn’t to be though, as Peterborough doubled their advantage midway through the half.
Spalding’s spirit, resilience and tenacity was not broken though, with Kev Swayer making a stunning block on the line, while Barlow’s diving tackle saw another goal-bound shot deflected over the bar.
