The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding Men 1st 4
Cambridge University 2nd 2
Spalding enjoyed a maximum return from a hectic weekend of two East Men’s League Division One North matches.
Saturday brought a success against Cambridge University and 24 hours later they saw off Nomads.
A well contested first half in the opener was played at a good pace and chances fell to both teams.
Great pressing from Darren Grooby saw him intercept a pass and square the ball to Dan Azzopardi who swept the ball into the net.
Spalding started the second half on the front foot and won a penalty corner. Stuart Cunnington’s reverse stick shot was smartly stopped by the goalkeeper but Grooby was on hand to push the ball into the back of the net.
The students pulled one back but a superb strike from the top of the D saw Jacob Baker make it 3-1.
The visitors were awarded a controversial second goal but Spalding dug deep and Will Baker smashed a ball across the D that hit Grooby’s stick and looped into the net.
Man of the match was Harry Naylor.
Cambridge Nomads 1st 2
Spalding Men 1st 3
Sunday’s game saw Spalding take an early lead when some quick interlinking play found Jacob Baker with time to fire a ball through for Will Baker to score.
A smart aerial pass from Stuart Cunnington was picked up by Baker and his pass allowed Baker to make it 2-0. Spalding then struggled to get a grip of the game with Oscar Haunch making some outstanding saves before Nomads pulled one back
The two-goal cushion, was re-established when Cunnington despatched a short corner.
A bouncing ball caught the Spalding defence off guard, which led to a hectic scramble in-front of Haunch. Despite his best efforts the ball was pushed into the Spalding net.
Relentless work from the defence of Phil Callow, Harry Maplethorpe, David Dorey and Brendan Morris was needed to stop the hosts scoring again and Spalding held out for victory.
Liam Fravigar excelled on his debut but Haunch took the man of the match award.
Cambridge University 3rd 3
Spalding Men 2nd 2
Brendan Atkin and James Grant found the net but were unable to prevent Spalding Seconds falling to defeat in Division Three North West.
Spalding Men 3rd 0
Cambridge University 4th 6
Spalding crashed to a heavy home defeat in Division Four North West.
Spalding Men 4th 1
Newmarket 3rd 1
The goal led a charmed life throughout Spalding’s Division Five North West draw with Newmarket.
Spalding dominated the first half and fell behind to Newmarket’s only attack of the first half when Eddie Sawyer’s great attempt at a save from a short corner just failed to keep the ball out.
The first half was all Spalding and they deservedly equalised when Pete Wright slotted past the goalkeeper from close range.
In the second half, Spalding had a series of short corners but could not find their way past a resolute defence and inspired goalkeeper.
With ten minutes to go, Newmarket found a little bit of forward momentum and could have scored with the last hit of the game but the ball stayed out.
Spalding deserved more than a point but the progress from when they lost to the same opposition 11-0 earlier in the season continues apace.
