Cambridge University 3rd 1
Spalding Ladies’ 1st 3
Spalding arrived in Cambridge with a determined attitude to record their first win of the East Women’s Division Two North West season.
They battled hard in the first half and produced some well worked play. Unfortunately, the opposition were awarded a short corner and converted it to take a 1-0 lead against the run of play.
Freya Lee worked hard and kept their interval lead to only one goal with some great saves.
A positive half-time talk tightened tactics and it worked a dream with two goals in two minutes.
The first came from a short corner skillfully won by joint player of the match Jess Ball. The short injection found Evie Maltby and she trapped the ball and slapped it into the corner of the goal.
Shortly after, Lauren Harvey picked up a deflection and nicked it past the goalkeeper to give Spalding a deserved lead.
They continued to apply pressure, using the well- worked new formation and the other joint player of the match Erin McMurray, celebrated her birthday in style after receiving a strong ball from Ellie Holland and effortlessly worked it round the goalkeeper to make it 3-1.
Spalding Ladies’ 2nd 6
Ely City 1st 3
Player of the match Charlotte Maplethorpe showcased her skills to get Spalding off to a blazing start in Division Three North West.
She picked up a precise pass from Sophie Wilson to find the back of the net just three minutes into the match.
Maplethorpe continued her exceptional performance, scoring once more, this time courtesy of a well-placed pass from Karen Timby.
Before the half-time whistle, Kelly Tizzano added to Spalding’s tally making it 3-0 in favour of Spalding just before the half-time break.
The second half started with a bang again for Spalding as Honor Moore executed a brilliant one-two with Maplethorpe, resulting in a swift goal after just 21 seconds.
However, Ely were not willing to go down without a fight and launched a remarkable comeback, netting three goals in quick succession to narrow the gap to 4-3 and inject a sense of urgency into the match.
Spalding displayed resilience and determination and Maplethorpe completed her hat-trick, delivering a crucial goal to make it 5-3.
The climax of the match came during a short corner opportunity. Timby and Claire Hindmarsh executed a perfectly coordinated one-two, allowing the former to unleash a powerful shot into the back of the net, sealing victory.
St Ives 3rd 4
Spalding Ladies’ 3rd 2
Spalding dominated the opening stages of Sunday’s match at the Division Four North West leaders.
Their accuracy when passing and driving down into the opposition’s D gained reward with a few short passes earning a short corner. It was superbly struck by Sophie Wilson to take the lead.
Spalding seemed to connect and work well together for the first ten minutes, utilising the width and winning the ball.
Soon after, the opposition suddenly overloaded the defence and midfield and began attacking relentlessly, putting Spalding under pressure.
It did not take long for St Ives to score twice from short corners.
Goalkeeper Freya Lee made some fabulous saves and communicated well with her defence but unfortunately they just could not seem to reorganise their formation until their half-time talk.
Managers were positive with the team and again they came back out and scored quickly with Vicky Worrall ensuring it cleared the line.
Midfielders Emily Wright and Honor Pearson ensured they kept wide and made some great passes to Honor Moore, who made some inspiring runs.
Joint players of the match Elosie Doherty and Leanne Issac-Pick ensured that tackles were made, spins were completed and that they attacked eagerly.
St Ives began to pick up the pace again towards the end of the half and ensured they won many short corners especially when captain Charlotte Morris thought her feet would be more useful than her stick.
They converted one more and, even when Spalding were close with their last two corners, it was just not meant to be.
The game concluded with a loss but many positives to be taken away.
