A new season starts this weekend and Spalding go into well prepared after a busy pre-season schedule.
Spalding Ladies first-team stepped up their preparation in stunning style, with an 11-1 success against Bourne Deeping.
Despite going into the game without a goalkeeper, the team showed determination, confidence and togetherness from the first whistle.
The hockey played from the back through to the forwards was outstanding, with some fantastic passing, movement and attacking play on display.
Ellie Holland scored a hat-trick, with doubles recorded by player of the match Lily Hooker, Karen Timby and Laura Graves, to go with single strikes from Lauren Spenceley and Amy Naylor.
The ladies start their campaign on September 19 with a trip to Cambridge Nomads Seconds in East Women’s League Division Three North West.
The men’s first-team rounded off their preparation by winning a tournament hosted by Pelicans in King’s Lynn.
They won all three of their 2×20-minute halves, putting all their training into victorious action.
They opened with a 4-2 win against Dereham, with a blistering first 20 minutes seeing Will Baker, Harry Walsh, Dan Azzopardi and Jacob Baker put Spalding 4-0 up against Premier Division opposition.
Dereham replied with two penalty corners to reduce the score but Spalding remained firm.
Some superb goalkeeping was needed from Oscar Haunch to keep the second match against the hosts level.
Spalding grew into the game and limited their opponents’ chances, with captain Sam Howitt stopping one on the line to deny the hosts.
Spalding then won consecutive penalty corners and the second one was put into the roof of the net by Stuart Cunnington to complete a 1-0 win.
Spalding ended the day against a resilient and youthful Pelicans Seconds and flew out the traps, with Tom Amess putting Spalding 1-0 up.
Spalding then retreated and invited pressure but again Haunch was in superb form. Will Baker broke away to put Spalding 2-0 up before half-time. Pelicans pulled a goal back through a controversial strike from a penalty corner but, with legs tiring and the game stretching, Spalding won a penalty corner, which was finished by Jacob Baker to secure a 3-1 win.
Elsewhere Spalding men’s seconds were beaten 5-0 at home by Lindum, with a mix of new squad members and returning old faces.
Things started well and Spalding looked sharp from the push-off. Unfortunately, despite lots of good work, some soft goals caught Spalding cold.
Heads didn’t drop in the baking heat and Spalding settled into a better rhythm, finding their shape, sticking to their structure, and stringing together some great spells of play.
However, they could not convert that good play into goals whereas Lindum made their chances count.
The men’s fourth team were also at Glen Park, Surfleet, and went down 2-0 to Lindum Fifths in the first opportunity for the new-look team to come together.
The home team consisted of many players playing together for the first time. Despite this, everyone settled well and showed plenty of enthusiasm, commitment and team spirit in a goalless first half.
The warm conditions began to take their toll after the break, with Spalding tiring and struggling to maintain their intensity. Lindum took advantage to score twice.
Opening day fixtures:
East Men – Div 1N: Spalding v Cambridge, 2pm.
Div 3NW: Cambridge City IV v Spalding II, 1pm.
Div 4NW: Cambridge Nomads II v Spalding III, 1pm.
Div 5NW: Spalding IV v Kettering IV, 12.30pm.
East Women – Div 4NW: Ely City II v Spalding II, noon.
