Spalding Ladies’ 1st 1
Dereham Ladies’ 2nd 2
The match started well for Spalding with an early shot on target, and some great linking play but Spalding were denied many chances and Dereham capitalised in the final minutes of the first half.
Spalding came out fighting for the second half, creating some great opportunities.
Having only played ten minutes of the second half Georgina Maplethorpe made it 1-1, dribbling the ball past multiple players in the D and flicking it past the keeper.
Spalding continued strong, keeping possession and controlling play from the back.
After an altercation in the D, Dereham were awarded a flick, Freya Lee made an awesome diving stick save, keeping the score level.
Dereham scored a second goal giving them the lead with 15 minutes to go.
While Spalding had the majority of possession and multiple chances on goal, it was not enough to get another goal.
Spalding Ladies’ 2nd 0
Cambridge City 6th 3
Spalding Ladies’ 2nd faced Cambridge City 6th, falling to a 3-0 defeat.
The opposition struck twice in the first half to establish control, before adding a third after the break to seal the result.
Despite the scoreline, Spalding showed determination throughout the match. From the back, Leanne Isaac-Pick and Sam Maltby linked well, putting together some composed passing sequences to push the team forward.
Eloise Hull provided an excellent outlet up front, making driving runs that unsettled the opposition.
The team can take heart from the positive passages of play, the smart use of width.
Spalding Ladies’ 3rd 4
St Neots 3rd 0
Spalding Ladies’ 3rds kicked off with a superb team display against St Neots 3rds.
Spalding dominated from the start but were thwarted in their attempts to break the deadlock by the outstanding St Neots goalkeeper.
It wasn’t until the 28th minute that Spalding made the breakthrough when Khloe Brewster tapped in at the far post after a clever pass from Sam Foston left the goalkeeper marooned.
The chances kept coming and two minutes later Spalding were rewarded with a second goal as Lucy McClements evaded the keeper for Jessica Pilgrim to make the decisive touch from just outside the post.
A final flourish to the first half saw a neat one-two leading to Jess Worth securing a penalty stroke that was saved by the keeper for a 2-0 lead at half time.
Foston made it 3-0 in the 47th minute when she slammed home following a neat slip pass at the top of the circle from a penalty corner.
Debutant Isla Worrall made it four with her first goal for the club after determined dribbling by Jess Worth in the build up.
(Pictures by Nigel Cookson below).
Spalding Mens’ 1st 4
Cambridge City 3rd 0
Spalding started well applying a lot of pressure but not able to convert any chances.
It all changed however when a crash ball was deflected by J Grant and fell to J Baker who tucked it in.
From there on Spalding continued to turn the screw, with L Fravigar quickly taking a sideline and giving it to W Wright who, after skinning the Cambridge back line, nestled his back-hand shot into the far corner.
Baker then made it three with a rocket into the top corner, taking Spalding into halftime with a 3-0 lead.
Cambs were able to get a foothold in the second half, but some good defending and composure on the ball by O Haunch brought Spalding back into the game.
A slight lapse in concentration in defence forced H Maplethorpe to break down play and receive a green card. Spalding held strong and were able to bounce back, winning a penalty corner.
Spalding’s shot hit a Cambridge defender’s leg resulting in a penalty stroke, which Baker dispatched into the top corner for his hat-trick.
Spalding Mens’ 2nd 1
Peterborough 4th 4
Spalding started well, winning a short corner in the first few minutes and Joe Maltby converting the rebound from the keeper into the roof of the net.
Spalding’s defence held strong to Peterborough’s attacks and many short corners but they eventually got an equaliser and soon after scored to make 2-1 at half time.
Spalding kept the intensity high for most of the game but with legs starting to tire. Peterborough scored two goals in the last ten minutes on to seal the win.
Spalding Mens’ 3rd 0
Cambridge City 4
Spalding had five junior third team league debutants in a 13-strong squad that had eight aged 15 and under.
The game started in the worst way as Spalding conceded a goal after only two minutes. However, the side rolled up their sleeves up and got themselves into the game with grit, determination, and no lack of hockey prowess. But for all their hard work, the second goal came to the home side after Spalding just couldn’t quite clear their lines.
However, this didn’t deter the visiting side, and they managed to create some clear-cut chances forcing several short corners towards the end of the first half.
The second half started as the first half ended with Spalding looking to break when they could against Cambridge. As the game wore on, Cambridge took advantage of a tiring side and scored another two goals.
Spalding kept going but the tiredness factor certainly had a hand in Cambridge’s final three goals as all goals could have been easily prevented.
Spalding Mens’ 4th 0
City of Peterborough 11
From the outset, Peterborough showed their pace and experience, pressing high and scoring their first goal early in the match.
By halftime, Peterborough had taken a 5-0 lead despite determined defending from Spalding.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Spalding working hard to break forward when opportunities arose but struggling to convert pressure into shots on target.
Peterborough’s attacking play proved too much, and by full time they ran out 11-0 winners.
Although the result was a harsh one, the squad can take encouragement from their determination and team spirit, with plenty to build on as the season progresses.
