The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding Ladies’ 1st 2
Pelicans 1st 6
Goals: Ellie Holland, Georgina Maplethorpe
Spalding started strong with majority possession but a counter-attack saw them go 1-0 down which Pelicans followed up with a second.
The first half ended 4-0 and a team talk set Spalding’s minds back on the game.
They started strong, winning a short corner which was converted by Maplethorpe.
Spalding’s positivity flourished as they came back for more, winning a second short corner which was converted by Holland.
Unfortunately, Pelicans scored two more goals late on.
Spalding Men’s 1st 2
Cambridge South 1st 4
Goals: Jacob Baker, Stuart Cunnington
A bright start from Spalding saw them rewarded with a penalty corner and Cunnington found the bottom corner to take the lead.
Some ill-discipline saw Spalding twice going down to ten men as Darren Grooby and Will Baker were shown green cards. This encouraged South to press and they were rewarded when a shot found the bottom corner.
At the start of the second half a rapid break from the South forward line saw some desperate defending and Cunnington was adjudged to have cleared the ball with the back of his stick. South took the lead as the stroke found the roof of the net.
Oscar Haunch kept Spalding in the game with a series of saves but a deflection found the net.
Spalding then lost defenders Baker and Sam Howitt to injury. This saw South explore gaps in the defence and make it 4-1.
Spalding kept battling and this was rewarded with a goal.
A first time touch from Steve Rodgers found Dan Azzopardi and despite him being denied by the keeper twice, Baker rifled the ball into the roof of the net.
Spalding continued to press, but the final pass went missing and Cambridge held on to secure the win.
Spalding Ladies’ 2nd 3
Huntingdon 1st 0
Goals: Charlotte Maplethorpe, Hennie Boekestyne, Karen Timby
To emerge with a 3-0 victory was a result to be proud of.
The opening goal came when Sophie Wilson passed to Timby who linked through to Maplethorpe.
Going into the second half only one goal up meant Spalding needed to push harder.
The second goal came from Timby, an unstoppable power shot from the top of the D.
Kelly Cooper and Honor Moore caused the Huntingdon defence countless problems.
The final goal of the match was sent across the goal by Maplethorpe for Boekestyn to tap it in over the line.
Spalding Men’s 2nd 1
Wisbech Town 2nd 1
Goals: Matt Hulme
Matt Pottle had Spalding’s first true opportunity after Wisbech conceded a penalty flick, however the post saved Wisbech who stepped their game up, eventually scoring off a short corner.
The second half was a lot stronger for Spalding, however it didn’t stop Wisbech finding their way through and winning short corners.
Nearing the end of the match it was clear that Wisbech were frustrated at their lack of goals which allowed Spalding to push through, resulting in a short corner which was placed perfectly in the goal from a Hulme.
Spalding Ladies 3rd 2
St Neots 3rd 1
Goals: Eloise Doughty
Spalding dug deep throughout the game and worked well in parts.
Both sides utilised their keepers first half but it remained 0-0.
After half time, Samantha Foston won a short corner that Charlotte Morris struck for Doherty to tap in.
Spalding began to dominate with Sharon Amess and Camille Rogers winning the balls and sending them wide and Spalding winning many short corners.
The end looked in sight when with one minute to go, a mis-hit led to St Neots grabbing a fantastic goal resulting in a loss for Spalding.
Spalding Men’s 4th 2
Cambridge Nomads 4th 3
Goals: Cheston Palmer, Peter Wright
Spalding struggled to find momentum in the first half and were punished by an unfortunate goal.
Then Spalding punished the wasteful opponents when Danny Wright played a pass back to the penalty spot for Palmer to slot home.
Spalding then fell behind to a tap-in before equalising moments later to a short corner goal from Wright.
They did fell behind to a great run which fooled everyone to leave Nomads a virtually open net.
There were notably good performances from Jake Sawyer, George Goode, Rafael Read and Mark Rodgers, with wingers Max Wright and Reuben Rodgers helping massively down the wings.
On a normal day there is no question Spalding would have won with Nomads having players double up and six players missing for Spalding 4th.
