Spalding Men’s 1st 7
Norwich Dragons 1st 0
The first half saw both teams press with little success until the 23rd minute when Spalding won a penalty corner which was dispatched by Stuart Cunnington.
Norwich came back fighting with long overhead balls which were safely dealt with by the back line, however the half ended with little action and a flat feeling.
It took only four minutes for a goal to come from a pass by Harry Naylor to find Dan Azzopardi who slotted the ball home.
Eight minutes later Steve Rogers scored from a Cunnington pass, which was followed by another goal by Azzopardi.
A penalty corner was awarded five minutes later, Cunnington making it 5-0.
Constant pressure from Spalding brought another goal two minutes later with Jacob Baker getting on the score sheet.
With some silky smooth passing the score went to seven with Rogers finishing it.
Spalding Ladies’ 2nd 3
Ely City 2nd 0
The first 20 minutes proved frustrating as Spalding made many attempts in the opposition’s D with shots at the goal and numerous short corners.
Finally, Roz Dennis took a confident straight strike at the goal neatly slotting the ball into the left corner.
Spalding were now fired up and the attack continued with Kelly Cooper taking on the keeper and achieving another short corner.
Another strong injection to Dennis at the top, rebounding the ball back to Charlotte Maplethorpe on the post put the team at 2-0 at half time.
Ely played hard putting the midfield and defence under pressure but communication was solid ensuring Ely were not getting a goal.
Finally, in the 55th minute Cooper received a fine cross from Maplethorpe securing a result of 3-0.
Spalding Men’s 2nd 6
Bourne Deeping 2nd 0
Bourne had the majority of the ball, forcing Spalding to dig in for the first ten minutes.
Despite this, Spalding found some chances and from some good passing down the wings, Tim Maltby was able to collect the ball in the D and find the bottom corner to put Spalding ahead.
After the goal Spalding found their rhythm, creating more and more chances with growing confidence.
It didn’t take long for James Grant to fire the ball at the keeper and Matt Pottle to claim the rebound to double Spalding’s lead.
The intensity didn’t stop and within five minutes, Pottle once again found himself in possession on the top of the D where he whipped the ball into the bottom corner.
After the halftime break Spalding picked up from where they left off and after some silky passing, Maltby found a gap under the keeper to increase Spalding’s lead.
Spalding progressed through the wide areas, this time winning a short corner which was saved before Atkin’s shot deflected in.
Not long after Tom Pilgrim was brought down inside the D awarding Spalding a penalty stroke and giving Pottle a chance to finish the game with a hat-trick.
Spalding Men’s 3rd 0
Cambridge City 7th 1
Spalding started the game well, moving the ball and showing some strong communication.
Cambridge travelled well with experience and players of higher quality, and these quickly got involved and took back control of the game, creating some chances of their own but couldn’t find the back of the net with any of these thanks to Spalding’s defence staying strong.
The possession changed hands many times within the first half, with both teams having a few chances of their own, but neither team could find the back of the net.
After a short rest, Spalding started the second half with the pushback.
The second half matched the first with both teams sharing the possession.
Cambridge broke through on the counterattack and had a great chance to open the scoring, but a great save from Steve Thurlbourne kept the scoreline unchanged.
Spalding had a couple of good chances of their own but couldn’t find the target.
With both teams beginning to feel the tiredness, Spalding defended the whole game well, but at that stage, Cambridge showed their experience and broke again and, this time, found the back of the net with only two minutes left.
The game ended with the visitors picking up all three points.
Spalding Ladies’ 3rd 6
Kettering 3rd 0
The home side began well and showed that by playing the ball wide to Eloise Doughty and Jennie Bradley, it could be dribbled round players to find the attackers and pressure the Kettering goalkeeper.
Spalding, with the trio of Vicky Worrell, Sam Foston and Camile Rogers, dictated the game from the centre and successfully broke down play, delivered well timed balls and found themselves taking players on one by one throughout first half.
At around the 15-minute mark, Terri Bateman slotted the ball into the bottom corner to take the lead.
Spalding were eager to add more and Lucy McClements, one on one with the keeper, ensured she took the lead to 2-0.
Just before half time, Sam Foston decided to take the defence on and dribbled through skilfully to score.
Soon into the second half, Charlotte Morris hit the ball through to Khloe Brewster, who stepped into the D and slapped the ball past the keeper.
The team continued to work hard and the defence were tested on occasions but outplayed the opposition.
Bateman managed to grab another goal which sent the crowd wild and with the excitement building for another win, the final short corner of the day saw a cheeky slip to McClements who pushed it into the goal.
