The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Division 2NW leaders Spalding Ladies 1st blew away Pelicans with all four unanswered goals in a terrific first half.
They started superbly, with a penalty corner finished in typical style by Kelly Slater.
A piece of individual brilliance from Katie Gray made it 2-0. She picked the ball up wide left, went past four players before casually rounding the keeper and scoring.
Jacqui Hunter, Roz Dennis and Steph Wilson were dictating play in central midfield, and Kelly Tuplin made it 3-0 from another penalty corner.
Gray added the fourth with another fantastic individual goal, showing great skill and pace.
Great energy and commitment from Spalding, typified by player of the match Tori Needham.
Third-placed Long Sutton Ladies romped to a 4-0 derby win over Wisbech Town 2nd.
Good play at the back saw Leah Goodley find Lisa Baker, who played a good one-two with Leanne Woodhead before scoring the first.
Woodhead then set up the second goal for Robyn Gribble before scoring herself with a trademark reverse stick finish after good work from Carr, Southgate, Temple and Kierman.
Gribble wrapped up the scoring on the counter-attack.
Meanwhile in Division 3NW (N), Spalding Ladies 2nd thrashed Spilsby Ladies 7-0.
Despite being camped in the Spilsby half for the majority of the first half, Spalding found the opposition a constant threat going forward and were thankful for solid defensive play by Lisa Caeser and good goalkeeping by Christina Dewing.
There were hat-tricks for Lauren Pitts and player of the match Eva Keyes (3), plus a goal for Izzy Whitehead.
It wasn’t such a good day for Spalding Ladies 3rd, beaten 3-0 at Louth Ladies 2nd.
Lucy Simpson was player of the match for hard work, repeatedly up and down the pitch on the attack and doing her fair share of defending.
Long Sutton Ladies’ young 2nd squad went down 3-0 to Leadenham.
The experience and encouragement of Lorraine Wallis was invaluable.
Sutton battled hard, with good tackles and working well as a team, but the half-time the score reflected the dominance of Leadenham, with goals from two short corners and a Katie Ireland effort.
After some repositioning for the second half, Katie Bedford controlled the centre back position, with Louise Billingham and Emma Howell making some excellent runs.
A solid performance prevented Leadenham from scoring again.
