The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding Ladies’ 1st 1
Cambridge City 5th 4
Goals: Ellie Holland
Spalding started the game well with great attack play from Amy Naylor and Kate Amess with Holland taking shots in the D, but none were converted.
Cambridge then started piling on the pressure with attack after attack. The bounce of the pitch led to Spalding mistakes and Cambridge got two goals in quick succession.
Spalding were still determined to get goals with great attack play from Lauren Spenceley but Cambridge scored another goal.
With the first half ending 3-0 Spalding regrouped after a tough team talk.
They started to get used to the bounce on the pitch with play beginning to link up well and great defence.
With the rain really starting to pour, Cambridge sprung another quick attack which caught Spalding off-guard and made it 4-0.
Spalding still wanted a goal, so Holland went past the Cambridge defence and smashed the ball into the bottom corner.
Spalding Men’s 1st 6
Ipswich 2nd 3
Goals: Barney Harris, Darren Grooby, Jacob Baker, William Baker
Spalding emerged triumphant after a rollercoaster of a game filled with thrilling moments and remarkable displays of skill.
The match started with Ipswich taking an early lead, scoring two goals to put Spalding on the back foot.
However, Spalding showed resilience, with goalkeeper Matthew Hicks making a crucial save from a penalty flick and displaying exceptional determination despite popping his shoulder out twice during the game.
Spalding’s fightback began in the 32nd minute when Jacob Baker slapped a short corner into the goal, reducing the deficit to 1-2.
Just two minutes later, Will Baker capitalised on an assist from Dan Azzopardi to level the score.
During the half-time team talk, Spalding rallied, determined to get control.
Their efforts paid off when Grooby scored a lunging back post deflection from a cross by Azzopardi, putting Spalding ahead 3-2.
However, Ipswich responded swiftly, equalising.
In a moment of sheer determination, Hicks, despite his shoulder injury, executed an incredible lunging tackle to deny Ipswich a clear opportunity.
Spurred on by his bravery, Spalding surged forward, with Baker scoring a one-on-one goal to give Spalding the lead in the 52nd minute.
The momentum continued in Spalding’s favour as Harris slammed a short corner into the goal in the 56th minute, extending their lead to 5-3.
Jacob Baker then showcased his brilliance, dribbling past three players before executing a reverse hit shot to make it 6-3.
Spalding Ladies’ 2nd 5
Newmarket 2nd 0
Goals: Karen Timby (2), Kelly Cooper (2), Chloe P
With a slight shuffle of players due to availability, Spalding welcomed Chloe P for her 2nd team debut.
Spalding pushed hard from the start and created chances but were thwarted by an inspired Newmarket keeper.
As chances came and went, on came Chloe P to apply a finish with virtually her first touch giving Spalding a 1-0 lead at the break.
A change in formation saw Spalding continue to dominate and create further chances.
Honor Moore continued to impress with her touches in the D, but it was the experience and goals of Timby and Cooper who took the game away from Newmarket.
A lapse in concentration saw Spalding concede their first penalty corner on full time, but after an initial save and a re-award, Freya Lee made a superb clearance to complete the clean sheet.
Spalding Men’s 2nd 1
Cambridge City 5th 0
Goals: Matt Pottle
The game started strong for Spalding having good possession through the midfield and around the D but struggling to penetrate Cambridge’s defences.
After 15 minutes of attacking play, Spalding’s hold on the game started to slip as they began to find themselves under pressure, however, some good defending managed to hold the line.
The second half started as an equal battle but an eye-catching performance from Tom Pilgrim saw tides change, as Spalding became the dominant team again finding some really good chances to score.
It wasn’t until the dying moments when Pottle hammered the ball into the bottom corner to give Spalding the win.
Spalding Ladies 3rd 10
Cambridge South 5th 1
Goals: Georgina Maplethorpe, Charlotte Maplethorpe, Lucy McClements, Khloe Brewster, Samantha Foston
Spalding set their mark almost immediately. With just a few passes linking together, they saw an attack on goal which was saved beautifully by the opposition goalkeeper.
Cambridge then countered and Spalding’s defence was tested but kept calm and managed to get the ball clear.
Attackers Georgina Maplethorpe and Lucy McClements worked well to ensure the next attack beat the keeper with Georgina Maplethorpe slamming it into the back board. A few minutes later, she repeated the same.
Wingers Camille Rogers and Eloise Doughty used their pace to outrun and outskill Cambridge and get the ball quickly into the D, for McClements to tap past the keeper to take it to 3-0.
Cambridge would fight back each time but the brilliance of the midfielders (Roz Dennis, Worrall, Georgina Maplethorpe and Sharon Amess) ensured nothing much came through.
The defence was always ready and great communication helped to keep the goals at bay.
After a great run of passes, Georgina Maplethorpe skilfully slotted one past the opposition.
Cambridge not to be put off won several short corners but to no avail.
Just before half time, Charlotte Maplethorpe was still on the prowl and with a lovely ball crossed in from Jessica Pilgrim, she swept it into the goal to end the first half.
Spalding were keen to impress, and this is what they kept doing.
Straight after half time, Khloe Brewster, as always in the right position, snuck one into the corner.
The opposition broke and caught the Spalding keeper off guard to snatch one back.
Spalding regrouped and captain Charlotte Morris hit one through to McClements and Georgina Maplethorpe.
After a few passes it rebounded off one of their defenders into the goal.
Spalding’s defence worked hard throughout and were on the attack themselves.
Honor Pearson impressed as did Terri Bateman, offering outlets and pressing high.
From out of nowhere, Samantha Foston picked up a pass and did what she does best, dribbled through many players and scored an impressive goal from the top of the D.
It was not long before Georgina Maplethorpe scored another.
Player of the match, keeper Eliza Morris still had crucial saves to make and showed she was not afraid to meet the ball and make some useful clearances.
Just before the end of the game, McClements met the ball from a hit once again to end the game 10-1.
Another encouraging and solid performance by this ever-improving team.
Spalding Men’s 3rd 4
Ely City 2nd 4
Spalding Men’s 4th 2
Long Sutton 3rd 1
Goals: David Burrell, Steve Hart
With ten regulars away a much changed Spalding recorded a narrow victory over a resilient Long Sutton side.
Spalding gained a few early short corners through Brian Read and Reuben Rogers but despite good efforts these were repelled by the visitors.
Dave Burrell gave Spalding the lead with a clinical finish when put through on goal.
Sutton gained control in the lead up to half time and equalised with a short corner on the stroke of half time.
Into the second half and Spalding managed to gain a little more control and good work from Ethan Worrall resulted in a short corner, with Pete Wright’s initial shot saved it fell to Steve Hart to coolly slot home.
The game became end to end from this point but in truth Spalding saw out a win in relative ease.
With many players missing, the fluidity was not as evident, but the result well deserved for the determination shown.
Spalding travel to unbeaten league leaders Kettering on Saturday in what is sure to be another tough encounter.
