Spalding Ladies’ 1st 6
Cambridge Sth Ladies’ 3rd 1
Spalding had an impressive win in their first home match since Christmas.
Despite facing a well-organised and structured Cambridge team, Spalding displayed resilience and skill, especially during challenging moments, to secure the victory.
Outstanding goals by Evie Maltby, Georgina Maplethorpe and Ellie Holland added to a hat-trick by player of the match Honor Moore. She had a standout performance, demonstrating her silky skills and pinpoint executions at goal.
It was a brilliant all-around team performance, demonstrating Spalding’s strength and determination as they continue to rise following the holiday break.
Newmarket Ladies’ 1st 4
Spalding Ladies’ 2nd 0
Newmarket took control early on, scoring two goals.
However, Spalding kept fighting, managing to take possession of the ball and pressing Newmarket’s defending D.
The Spalding midfield was playing a crucial role, linking the defence and attack with ease. They distributed the ball well to the wing, where some great runs were made.
Spalding worked hard on their defensive D with some great wide clearances and hit outs.
Erin McMurray, who had been working tirelessly throughout the game, found herself in the right place at the right time. Her hard work paid off when a ball, aimed at goal, unexpectedly came off her head and sailed into the net. Unfortunately, this goal was disallowed.
Newmarket continued to apply pressure, with many short corners creating several chances. Spalding’s goalkeeper made several key saves but despite her best efforts, Newmarket’s relentless attacking led to two more goals being added.
Spalding Men’s 1st 4
COP 2nd 4
Spalding shared the spoils with local rivals Peterborough in a sometimes feisty affair.
The game started off evenly with chances at both end of the pitch. Both keepers started the game well and kept the game goalless.
Peterborough struck first from a penalty corner re-take as Spalding scrambled to clear it, but it found the bottom corner.
Spalding roared back and Stu Cunnington’s through ball found Dan Azzopardi in the D who managed to reverse it across goal for James Grant to equalise.
Peterborough came back at Spalding and despite Oscar Haunch’s reactions, a loose ball found the striker to coolly finish to make it 2-1 to the visitors.
Spalding raced out of the traps in the second half and a stunning Jacob Baker strike from the top of the D got the score back level. Spalding continued their attacking threat and took the lead for the first time through a glorious deflection through Matt Sanders to give Spalding a 3-2 lead.
The game as promised turned heated for a ten-minute period in the second half with three cards shown between the teams.
Peterborough equalised through a penalty corner that found the bottom corner of the net.
An end-to-end game ensued and a game of pinball in the Spalding D saw the ball fall to a striker who made no mistake to put the visitors 4-3 up.
Once again, Spalding’s character, resilience and determination shone through and with seven minutes remaining Cunnington flicked the ball superbly into the side of the net to make it 4-4. Spalding battled until the final whistle and all 13 players came off the pitch immensely proud to gain a point.
MoM: Sanders.
Spalding Men’s 3rd 0
Newmarket 4
Spalding fell to defeat against a Newmarket side whose performance belied their lowly league standing.
Newmarket raced into a 2-0 lead before Pete Wright’s short corner strike reduced arrears.
Spalding soon found themselves further behind as the first half drew to a close.
In the second half Spalding did retain more possession early on but once Newmarket scored a fourth the game slowed as the result became a formality.
Pelicans Men’s 4th 1
Spalding Men’s 4th 2
Spalding put in a determined and solid performance to secure the win in a thrilling match.
They took the lead through Dave Burrell’s well-taken goal.
Goalkeeper James Booth was in excellent form, making crucial saves to protect the lead. His performance between the posts proved invaluable as the team maintained their advantage.
Pelicans came out strong in the second half, equalising just one minute after the restart. However, Spalding responded quickly and regained the lead when Jack Dorsett clinically made it 2-1. Dorsett thought he had added a third shortly after, but the goal was ruled out.
Spalding held firm despite Pelicans pressure, with solid defending and more key saves from Booth, who continued to frustrate the home side.
Ed Sly was named man of the match. His solid defending was integral to Spalding’s success.
Brian Read was also a standout performer, showing great attacking flair with strong runs and creating multiple scoring opportunities. The team also demonstrated improved passing play, a result of focused work in training.
This win was a major boost for Spalding, who can take pride in their solid team effort and continued improvement.
St Ives 1
Long Sutton 3
Bottom of the table St Ives are not a team to be taken lightly and the visitors knew that a win could move them further up the table.
The match was evenly poised for some while, however Long Sutton gradually gained control, but they were thwarted by some excellent defending keeping out four short corners.
With Sutton’s defence and midfield of Harrison, Proctor, Fox, Baguley and Gray holding firm, St Ives’ chances were limited.
After 25 minutes the deadlock was broken when a smart through ball was picked up by Josh Fyson and as he moved into the circle he timed a perfect square ball to Josh Baker who at full stretch stroked the ball into the back of the net.
The second half saw St Ives having much of the possession but were unable to work the ball into a scoring position. On 55 minutes a quick break by Spalding and some swift passing moves found Fyson with one defender to beat and he calmly slotted the ball home.
Five minutes later a replica move again found Fyson who crashed the ball into the top of the net. A workmanlike performance from the visitors saw them move up to eighth in the table.
