Wisbech Town 1 Spalding Men 3
Spalding moved to within three points of clinching the East League Division Two North West title in a fiercely contested encounter.
The men’s first team have won 17 out of 17 games so far and need just one more from their remaining five to confirm first place.
Wisbech started brightly and caught Spalding off guard to gain an early lead.
Spalding struggled to impose themselves and, although chances were created, they were unable to convert any.
When a Wisbech player was shown a green card, Spalding capitalised when smart play from Ethan Pearson set up Dan Azzopardi to produce a vicious deflection past the goalkeeper.
Shortly after, Jacob Baker was shown a green card for dissent, forcing Spalding to see out the remainder of the half with 10 men under mounting Wisbech pressure.
Tensions rose in the 42nd minute when Baker, frustrated by a contentious decision, received a yellow card, reducing Spalding to 10 men again. Amid a barrage of attacks, goalkeeper Oscar Haunch produced an assured display.
Restored to 11 men, intricate play from Ethan Pearson unlocked the defence and Will Wright’s smart deflection put the visitors 2-1 ahead.
Quick build-up play from the back earned a short corner, which was worked to the top of the D and struck goalwards. Although the goalkeeper made a save, James Grant reacted quickest to slot home the rebound to complete victory.
Spalding Men 2s 6 Wisbech Town 2s 2
Spalding claimed all three Division Three North West in a dominant performance.
Scorelines of 3-1 in both halves were the least Spalding deserved, having had a flick saved and three strikes disallowed.
Glenn Richardson scored twice having been set up for both by Tom Pilgrim. Joe Maltby got the other with a short corner effort.
The second half continued in the same pattern with Joe Maltby taking up the mantle of Richardson and scoring a brace. The final goal followed a goalmouth scramble with Reuben Rogers coolly slotting home.
Spalding Men 4s 1
Wisbech Town 3s 4
All five goals came in the second half of an intense Division Five North West match.
Samuel Willerton and Ed Sly both played well and there was good progress from youngsters Sam Hicks, Jake Sawyer, Isaac Davidson and Matthew Dorsett.
The intensity of the game took its toll as both teams started to tire after the break. Spalding lost some focus at key moments, and Wisbech were quick to capitalise with four goals.
Spalding continued to battle and were rewarded with a well-worked goal. Great play from Andy Barlow helped drive through the Wisbech defence and allowed Will Clark to finish calmly.
The man of the match was Elliot Ashton.
Action from Spalding Men Second XI’s 6-2 victory over Wisbech Town Seconds. Photos by Nigel Cookson.
