Dereham 1st 5
Spalding Ladies’ 1st 0
Spalding ventured out to Dereham for their first match back after Christmas.
Spalding started strongly with the first pushback and passed the ball around well, however, a quick reaction by Dereham turned into a goal for them and Spalding found themselves 1-0 down.
Spalding immediately fought back and were unlucky not to convert one of their three short corners in a row.
Disappointingly, Spalding then struggled to regain their earlier composure and Dereham found another two goals.
The game continued on with steady play from both sides and the score at half time was 3-0 to Dereham.
Spalding entered the second half, hoping to achieve more, however despite some great defensive balls, Spalding were unable to convert them into goals.
Dereham continued to put up a good battle against Spalding and although there was some great attempts to save Dereham balls by Gaby Taylor in goal Dereham managed to score another two goals.
Spalding continued to press forward with some great runs from the wingers and build up play in the middle by Player of the Match Megan Moore to the forwards, however the visitors were unable to create a real chance and the final score was 5-0.
Kettering 2nd 0
Spalding Ladies’ 2nd 1
Goal: Maisie Foden
Spalding ladies 2nd travelled over to Kettering in torrential rain for their rescheduled fixture.
Thankfully the clouds parted with a little ray of sunshine once the game began.
With one point advantage to Spalding in the league, this was going to be a hotly contested match.
For first 25 minutes of the game Spalding played superb hockey and put relentless pressure on the Kettering defence.
Only a few times were the Spalding defence tested on a counterattack but Freya Lee in goal read the stroke and confidently punched the ball out of danger.
This was followed up by Sam Maltby laying her body on the line to deflect a second incoming strike.
Kettering’s defiant defence were determined not to let the ball cross the line until a short corner was awarded in the 24th minute.
Sam Maltby delivered the ball to Karen Timby at the top of the D, with the first strike saved; Maisie Foden reacted quickly to pelt it back into the corner of the net.
In the second half Spalding had to dig deep to keep the now fired-up Kettering team from scoring.
Lisa Dean had an outstanding game at right back and actually at one point covered the length of the pitch to track back and save a goal-bound effort!
A great start to the second part of the season with a special mention for Lauren Harvey who outplayed the Kettering midfield with her fantastic runs and link play with the forwards.
Spalding Men’s 1st 2
Blueharts 1st 1
Goals: Stu Cunnington, Jacob Drew
On a miserable Saturday afternoon Blueharts came to Glen Park for what was sure to be an exciting game.
Spalding started the first half pressing Blueharts aggressively and as a result won a few short corners and circle entries early on.
As is usually the case with a high press, the opposition found some space and quickly broke away resulting in a tidy reverse stick shot into the back of the net.
After another opposition shot hit the crossbar Spalding stepped it up a gear, with debutant Jacob Drew winning a short corner out of nowhere and Stu Cunnington providing a quality flick to send the game into half time level.
As the rain poured down in the second half, Spalding upped the pressure hunting for that winning goal.
It would be a long and strenuous half but both teams persevered to keep the score level going into the final five minutes.
After receiving the ball on the left-hand side, Jacob Baker efficiently rounded two Blueharts defenders before being knocked over within the circle.
This would be Spalding’s final chance.
After the flick went underneath the keeper there was a scramble in the goal mouth which ended with man-of-the-match Drew taking the opportunity and scoring the winning goal.
Wisbech Town 2nd 1
Spalding Men’s 2nd 3
Goals: Darren Grooby (2), Reuben Gray
Spalding Men’s 2nd travelled to local rivals Wisbech hoping to resume where they left off last year.
The game started with Wisbech having most of the possession but failing to really create any opportunities and as the half went on Spalding started finding gaps in the Wisbech midfield.
Spalding eventually took the lead after a quick break they found Reuban Gray free in the D and he coolly slotted home.
Shortly after Spalding doubled their lead through Darren Grooby and the half finished with Spalding dominating the play.
Wisbech were rattled and started the second half pressing the Spalding defence and pulled a goal back, but could not sustain the pressure for any length of time.
Spalding scored a third goal midway through the half when Darren Grooby found the net from a penalty corner which killed the game.
Spalding kept their heads and saw out the game to record a valuable three point.
Spalding Men’s 3rd 0
Cambridge City 6th 0
It was always going to be a tight, tense affair when 3rd met 1st in the league, with both teams only 5 points apart.
Both sides had early chances, but nothing came.
Spectacular saves from Rob Callaby, including saving a penalty stroke, kept Spalding in it during the first half.
Later in the half, a 2 v 1 breakaway was unable to be converted by Spalding.
Scoreless in the first half, the distance between the two teams was small.
In the second half, Cambridge City gained a more dominant hold of the game and were kept out by some brilliant defending from the Spalding back-line.
Spalding managed to pose some threats on the counter-attack forcing the keeper to make some good saves, including a couple of opportunities from penalty corners.
Spalding continued to defend bravely and saw the game out for a goalless draw.
