Spalding Hockey Club’s men’s 1st team ended their season unbeaten with a super 6-2 win at Cambridge University 3rd on Saturday.
In what was a lively start, Spalding took the lead with a strong reverse finish into the far netting by Harry Walsh, only for the hosts to level from a short corner.
Spalding re-took the lead again from their own short corner through Stuart Cunnington, before a fantastic solo run and reverse finish from Will Wright put them 3-1 up at the break.
A solo dribbling run and flick from man-of-the-match Walsh made it 4-1, before Jacob Baker scored from a short corner on the second attempt.
Spalding then made it six through Wright from another short corner with an iconic reverse through the keepers legs to make it 6-1.
A late strike from the hosts couldn’t dampen Spalding’s high spirits as they completed a stellar season in style.
l Spalding men’s 3rd completed their campaign with a 1-1 draw at Newmarket 2nd.
Spalding made an assured start, but it was the home side who went ahead on 15 minutes, taking advantage of space left at the top of the D with a fine strike into the roof of the net.
The visitors soon levelled as, after a good spell of possession, Dylan Hind and Ethan Worrall combined to find Tim Amess, who finished off the move with a clinical finish on 25 minutes.
Spalding came close to scoring again through Rob Callaby and Ethan Worrell, but were thankful for a string of fine saves from keeper Steve Thurlbourne after the break as the spoils were shared.
l Spalding men’s 4th came back from a goal down to end the season on a winning note as they saw off Newmarket 3rd 2-1.
With Spalding fielding eight under-16 players against Newmarket’s senior team, including two debutants, it was always going to be a tough game.
A flicked finish saw the away side take an early lead, but Spalding were soon level when Elliott Ashton teed up Will Clark to score with a brilliant rising strike.
The second half saw Newmarket dominate possession and really turn the screw.
But the tenacity of the Spalding team was there and they sealed the win when Ashton ran at the defence, beat at least four players, and calmly placing the ball into the net for a fantastic individual goal.
