Spalding Ladies’ 2nd 4
Wisbech Town 2nd 0
Goals: Charlotte Maplethorpe, Honor Moore, Karen Timby
Spalding ladies’ 2nd went into Saturday’s game with great anticipation, knowing a win would take them to the top of the league.
Nerves were in abundance but with strong leadership from the ladies’ coach Barney and captain/vice Zoë Moore and Karen Timby they knew it was theirs for the taking.
Spalding had control of the game and soared shots relentlessly into Wisbech’s defence for the first 20 minutes with no reward.
Honor Moore came onto the pitch and picked up effortlessly an almighty hit out from Sally Pilgrim.
She was one-on-one with their defender, with speed and tenacity she out played the defender and slotted it straight into the left corner, past the astounded keeper.
Spalding heads were up and Charlotte Mablethorpe drove the ball up the right wing and struck the ball across the D to Moore on the left post, goal number two. What a partnership!
This was a feisty game on both sides and Spalding needed to keep level-headed but a little dip in momentum saw Sam Maltby awarded a yellow card for a sliding tackle.
Down to ten men Spalding re-shaped and were very quickly awarded a short corner, slotted away by Karen Timby.
The final goal came from Emily Wright working the ball up the right wing and crossing it to the top of the D for Charlotte Mablethorpe to do what she does best dribbling seamlessly past the keeper.
Well done everyone, a 4-0 win and top of the table for Christmas.
Spalding Men’s 3rd 0
Cambridge Nomads 3rd 3
Spalding 3rd travelled away to Cambridge Nomads 3rd.
Neither team could get into the flow of the game as tackles and fouls broke the game down.
Nomads eventually broke the deadlock late with the only goal of the first half.
Nomads’ experience and substitutions in the second half meant they had fresher legs on pitch as Spalding began to tire slightly and chase the game and Nomads scored two more goals.
It finished 3-0 to Cambridge Nomads 3rd.
Spalding Men’s 4th 5
Ely City 3rd 3
Goals: Danny Wright, David Burrell, Peter Wright
It was a rapid start which saw Pete Wright score in the second minute thanks to a brilliant pass by Andy Barlow and it was two shortly after when Dave Burrell found Danny Wright to slot home.
Ely showed spirit and with a quick fire double of clinical finishes.
However, on the stroke of half time Burrell scored.
Ely then equalised 45 minutes in to go level with a reverse stick finish.
Then Peter Wright score in a one on one to retake the lead.
The lead was then doubled through Burrell scoring a scrappy goal which saw the ball trickle in.
It was an impressive defensive display to see out the last ten minutes with just a few impressive saves needing to be made by an outstanding Eddie Sawyer.
When Simon Goode managed to stay on his feet he was very strong at the back.
Good clearances by Ed Sly and Kev Sawyer helped keep the ball away from the goal for large periods of the match while all of the wingers helped spread the game into more space.
Overall, a great result for a team which has now picked up 13 points out of a possible 15.
