Spalding Ladies’ 1st 2 Wisbech 4
Spalding began brightly, carving out several chances through sharp wing play and confident forward movement.
Wisbech struck first after capitalising on a turnover, but Spalding responded with composure.
Charlotte Maplethorpe produced a moment of brilliance, driving from the halfway line before finishing clinically to level the score at 1-1 going into the break.
The second half saw Wisbech convert two further chances to edge ahead, yet Spalding refused to fade.
Georgina Maplethorpe reignited belief with a powerful lifted strike from the edge of the D, narrowing the score to 3-2 and setting up a tense finish.
Despite sustained pressure from the home side, Wisbech found a late goal to seal a 4-2 result.
A special mention goes to Freya Lee, whose outstanding performance in goal kept Spalding firmly in the contest.
Spalding Ladies’ 2nd 2 Wisbech Ladies’ 2nd 3
The match began with Spalding showing real intent, taking the lead within seven minutes when a short corner was converted, giving them a 1-0 advantage.
Wisbech responded with sustained pressure and equalised midway through the first half, before taking the lead with a second goal.
However, Spalding weren’t done. Just before the break, a well-worked attacking move saw Camille Rogers strike a shot that was saved, but Steph Wilson was quick to react, slotting home the rebound to level the score.
The second half proved to be a gritty, physical battle.
Leanne Isaac-Pick was a driving force in the midfield, pushing Spalding forward, while Poppy Hooker, Sam Maltby and Holly Gleave stood firm in defence, blocking Wisbech’s attacks and making key tackles.
Goalkeeper Eliza Morris made a series of crucial saves to keep Spalding in the game as Wisbech continued to apply pressure.
Despite creating a number of chances, Spalding couldn’t find the back of the net, and it was Wisbech who struck the decisive goal to seal a 2-3 victory.
Spalding Ladies’ 3rd 4 St Neots 2
Spalding got off to a dominant start in their first match back, attacking from the off.
Just eight minutes into the game, Elise Hatton opened the scoring after a great right-wing combination between Kiki Timmins and Jess Pilgrim down the line.
A few minutes later, Pilgrim played the ball into Hatton, who then set up a chance that was finished off by Isla Worrall to make it 2-0.
Just before half-time, a lovely clean slap from Lucy Wilson at the top of the D extended the lead, and Spalding were 3-0 up.
Again starting the second half strongly, Spalding increased the lead when a lovely strike from the top of the D by Sam Foston made it 4-0 after 66 minutes.
As the game went on, St Neots began to come back, scoring with a strike from a tight angle into the bottom corner.
A few minutes later, they were at it again, finishing a one-on-one to give themselves a late comeback.
The final score was a 4-2 win for Spalding.
Spalding Men’s 1st 2 Bourne Deeping 1st 0
Spalding welcomed Bourne Deeping for the first game of the new year and were looking to pick up where they left off last year.
The game started strong for Spalding, working hard in transitions and earning short corners.
Both teams grew into the game turning the first half into an exciting watch.
After 29 minutes of play Jacob Baker slotted home the first goal after picking up the rebound off the goalkeeper to secure Spalding an important lead.
With this goal Spalding’s confidence began to flourish and a couple minutes later James Grant doubled
Spalding’s lead with a beautiful nutmeg on the keeper.
In the second half Bourne Deeping started pushing people forward, pushing for the goals needed to get themselves back into it.
But thanks to major performances from man of the match Arron Borst and Grant, Spalding withstood the pressure and saw the game out for a 2-0 win.
Spalding Men’s 2nd 4 Long Sutton 1
From the opening whistle, the players worked cohesively, pressing with intent and moving the ball confidently across the pitch.
Joe Maltby produced a moment of real quality with an excellent goal that lifted the entire side.
Showing great composure and technique, he struck the ball superbly, leaving the opposition goalkeeper with no chance and setting the tone for the rest of the match.
Glen Richardson was the standout attacking force on the day, scoring an impressive hat-trick.
His movement, finishing, and awareness were first-class, and each of his three goals highlighted his sharpness in front of goal.
Richardson’s clinical display was the reward for sustained team pressure and well-worked build-up play.
Defensively, the team remained solid and organised, limiting the opposition to few clear opportunities and demonstrating strong communication throughout.
The midfield controlled the tempo, linking defence and attack effectively and ensuring the team stayed on the front foot.
Overall, it was an excellent team performance built on hard work, unity, and quality in key moments.
The goals from Maltby and Richardson were the highlights of a confident and convincing display that reflects the progress and commitment of the entire squad.
Spalding Men’s 3rd 1 St Neots 2nd 5
A positive pre-match atmosphere saw Spalding take to the pitch determined to compete and leave everything out there.
The visitors started brightly, moving the ball quickly and accurately, but Spalding defended resolutely and absorbed the early pressure well.
After ten minutes, St Neots were awarded a somewhat unfortunate short corner, which was clinically converted with a drag flick fired across goal to make it 1-0.
Spalding responded well to the setback, playing some encouraging attacking hockey, with Rafa Read and Cheston Palmer linking up down the right-hand side.
The first half, however, proved difficult as St Neots stepped up the pressure late on, scoring twice in quick succession.
The first came via an unlucky deflection off Eddy Sayer’s stick, followed by a well-taken reverse-stick finish into the bottom corner.
Matt Hicks was shown a green card earlier in the half for a stick tackle, and just before the interval Brian Read was also sent to the sin bin .
The half-time team talk focused on belief and intensity, with Spalding recognising they had shown St Neots too much respect in the opening period.
That message paid dividends ten minutes into the second half when a well-worked move released Palmer one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and he finished calmly to pull a goal back for Spalding.
Any momentum was short-lived, however, as St Neots soon added another well-constructed goal.
To Spalding’s credit, they continued to battle hard, defending bravely and preventing the visitors from completely taking control.
The second half saw a marked improvement, with Hicks, Palmer, Dylan Hind, and Rafa Read combining well to put pressure on an experienced St Neots defence.
In the final quarter, St Neots capitalised on a quick break from the back, leaving the Spalding defence exposed, and their striker coolly pushed the ball past Sawyer to extend the lead to 5-1.
Despite the result, there were positives for Spalding to take from the contest.
Palmer and Hicks worked tirelessly in attack and caused problems for a skilful back line, while on another day Spalding could easily have added to their goal tally.
Movement off the ball and communication remain key areas to improve, but the performance, particularly in the second half, showed promising signs against strong opposition.
Spalding Men’s 4th 1 Long Sutton Men’s 3rd 3
Despite a challenging first half, Spalding showed real resilience and improvement in the second half, eventually losing 3-1.
They made a slow start and were outplayed in the first half, struggling to settle and find any rhythm.
Long Sutton took full advantage, applying sustained pressure and scoring three goals before half time to leave Spalding trailing 3-0 at the break.
After the interval, Spalding returned to the pitch much stronger and far better organised.
Defensively, the team tightened up well, limiting Long Sutton’s opportunities and preventing the home side from adding to their score.
The midfield worked hard to gain control, allowing Spalding to push higher up the pitch and play with more confidence.
Spalding’s improved performance was rewarded when they pulled a goal back.
A great pass from Will Clark split the Long Sutton defence and found Andy Barlow, who finished well to make it 3-1.
The goal lifted Spalding, who continued to press and compete strongly for the remainder of the match.
Despite creating further chances, Spalding were unable to add another goal.
However, a disciplined and determined defensive display ensured no further goals were conceded.
Although the result was disappointing, the second-half performance showed real character and provided plenty of positives to take forward in their first outing since the Christmas break.
Man of the match was awarded to Barlow for his impressive performance.
Spalding will look to build on the encouraging second-half display as they prepare for their next fixture.
