Spalding Ladies’ 1st 1
Newmarket Ladies’ 1st 3
The game commenced quickly, with Spalding dominating the possession and firing countless shots at the goal. However, Newmarket’s keeper kept out every possible chance.
After 12 minutes, Georgina Maplethorpe ran rings around the Newmarket defence, allowing her to slot the ball to Ellie Holland on the wing.
This led to a run to the baseline and a tactical pass across the D.
Suddenly, all players halted as the ball hit a Newmarket foot, but with no whistle blown, Honor Moore took the opportunity to place the ball into the goal.
After many unlucky attempts and determination to stay in the lead, Spalding were unlucky to concede, making the score 1-1.
Unfortunately, Spalding took this goal to heart and struggled to keep out Newmarket’s next attempt, even after the defence had made tackle after tackle. The score was 2-1 to Newmarket at half time.
The second half started with Spalding maintaining control, and play down the wings from Sophie Wilson and Camille Rogers led to dozens of shots which were valiantly kept out by the young Newmarket keeper.
After many runs by Charlotte Maplethorpe and numerous short corner attempts, possession turned over and despite Spalding’s efforts, Newmarket were able to seal their win with a third goal.
Despite the loss, the ladies’ 1st remain top of the league.
Spalding Ladies’ 2nd 0
Pelicans 9
Spalding set out to the match with a positive mindset ready for the game ahead.
They worked hard to maintain possession, but with a few early goals from Pelicans, they felt a little deflated.
The goalkeeper made some amazing saves throughout.
The team was strong in the middle and facilitated some great connected play, but half time ended 4-0 to Pelicans.
Spalding received some words of wisdom from their manager and went out determined to try and secure a goal.
A short corner was won and provided an opportunity to put into practice a new routine from Tuesday’s training, however despite a direct shot on goal, they were unable to convert as it hit the keeper’s pads and deflected for a quick counter attack by Pelicans.
Spalding kept the attack going, while the goalkeeper continued to make some exceptional saves.
The game finished 9-0, however the team fought hard from start to finish.
Spalding Ladies’ 3rd 2
Cambridge Nomads 2nd 2
Determined to make this half of the season something to remember, Spalding aimed to improve on their scores from last season and move up the league table.
The Nomads started with possession, but Spalding quickly claimed it back.
Spalding had a couple of shots on goal but, unfortunately, couldn’t score.
The Nomads regained possession and managed to get the ball through Spalding’s defence, scoring the first goal: 1-0 down.
Spalding converted an attack into a short corner, where Khloe Brewster’s fine injecting skills were utilized, but they were unable to score.
The first half ended 1-0 to the Nomads.
Spalding came out fighting, but the Nomads also came out strong, passing the ball around.
Holly Gleaves managed to stop any balls through. Jess Pilgrim made some good runs up onto the baseline, passing towards the P spot. One of these resulted in a short corner, where Sam Foston scored a smashing straight strike into the back of the goal, equalizing the score at 1-1.
Spalding continued to dominate throughout the second half with many passes between players.
Any balls that made it out towards the defence were picked up and passed back and forth, keeping the Nomads on their toes.
The Nomads made a couple of runs, but Poppy Hooker and MOM Honor Pearson deflected these away.
However, one ball managed to get through the defence, and the Nomads scored, putting Spalding 2-1 down.
Spalding kept pushing, remembering to use the width.
Passes went to Eloise Doughty, whose quick moves got the ball into the attacking D, but still no goals.
In the final seconds, a beautiful run up the right wing into the D, resulted in a shot on goal.
Although deflected, a well-positioned Brewster managed to slip in the equalizing goal.
Spalding Men’s 1st 2
Wisbech Town 2
Despite a tough first half, Spalding showed immense character to secure a well-earned point in an eventful and competitive encounter.
The first half saw Spalding on the back foot, with Wisbech Town converting two open play chances to take control of the game. However, Spalding’s goalkeeper made a string of vital saves to keep the scoreline within reach.
Spalding’s efforts to find a rhythm were hampered by a card for Jacob Baker, while Wisbech also received a card. The half-time whistle blew with Spalding trailing 0-2.
The second half was a different story. Determined to make a comeback, Spalding piled on the pressure, and their efforts were rewarded when Baker weaved through several defenders in the D before calmly slotting the ball into the goal.
With time running out, Spalding refused to give up.
In the final minute, Matt Hulme showed brilliant awareness and composure. Following his own injection, he surged forward to meet the ball and placed it neatly into the corner of the goal, sparking celebrations from the Spalding squad.
The game ended 2-2, a fair reflection of a hard-fought contest.
Spalding’s resilience and determination were on full display, as they battled to the final whistle to secure a crucial point on the road.
Spalding Men’s 2nd 2
St Ives 1
Spalding came from behind to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory against St Ives in an entertaining match.
The game began with both sides testing each other, but it was St Ives who struck first.
A short corner shot found the left corner giving St Ives the lead.
The second half saw Spalding emerge with renewed determination, and their persistence paid off as they slotted home to level the score.
The momentum shifted firmly in Spalding’s favour, and they capitalized on it with a well-crafted move, Ollie Roy finished off a brilliant play to make it 2-1.
Despite late pressure from St Ives, Spalding held on to claim all three points in an impressive comeback victory.
Spalding Men’s 3rd 4
Kettering 2
Spalding got the second half of the season under way with a home win over a lowly Kettering team.
After a six-week break the early stages were always going to be about cohesion and Spalding found their stride with some simple progressive passing and took the lead when Ben Scholes found Lucas Baker at the far post to slot home.
Soon after it was 2-0 as Pete Wright slipped a short corner to Ben Scholes who made no mistake.
Wright then found Danny Wright in space in the D and he calmly slotted under the keeper and it was 3-0 before half time.
In the second half Spalding couldn’t reproduce the first half form and Kettering were in the ascendancy and reduced the arrears with a goal.
Spalding weathered the storm and started to get back into their stride, and from a short corner Pete Wright struck home to restore some calm.
Whilst Kettering added a consolation late on Spalding saw the game out with some controlled possession.
Spalding Men’s 4th 0
Cambridge South 5th 3
Spalding created several opportunities throughout the game but struggled to convert them into goals.
Dylan Hind and Dave Burrell worked well together up front, while Henry Gibbons and Brian Read showed great pace on the wings.
In defence, Sam Willerton worked tirelessly with Lorenzo Mendoza to break up Cambridge South’s attacks, and goalkeeper Steve Thurlbourne made several crucial saves to keep Spalding in the game.
However, Cambridge South capitalised on their chances, scoring once before halftime and twice more in the second half.
Spalding Men’s 5th 1
City of Peterborough 6
It was a challenging game for the young side, as Peterborough had a lot of experienced senior players, that ultimately saw the travelling side come away with the win, however Spalding did extremely well and played their socks off despite the bitter cold.
The 6-1 scoreline at the end, could have been so much different but for some excellent saves by the travelling side’s goalkeeper, with the highlight being a diving save to deflect a goal-bound shot just wide.
Defensively Spalding did very well, showing great tenacity in their tackling against some very experienced senior forwards.
The goalkeeper made some great saves and was unlucky with a couple of the goals conceded.
The midfield worked tirelessly, playing some neat hockey in patches.
Spalding’s goal was something to be celebrated as well. A stunning short corner strike found the bottom left hand corner of the goal.
Pictures from the mens and ladies 3rds by Nigel Cookson.
