Spalding Poachers pipped in final as Lindum defend their county crown

It was heartache for Spalding Poachers 1st as they lost a tight Lincolnshire Ladies’ Hockey Cup final 1-0 against defending champions Lindum 1st on Thursday night.

Lindum, who play in a league above Spalding, started strongly and soon put the home defence under pressure before being rewarded with a goal after just six minutes with a neat finish after a patient build up.

Poachers bounced back and put together several promising moves with Karen Timby, Steph Wilson and Kelly Slator working hard in midfield.

But they came across a solid and well-organised Lindum defence, meaning shooting chances were limited.

The Lincoln side dominated for periods of the first half and keeper Donna Chester-O’Neill made several fine saves to keep her team in the game.

The second half opened with Spalding pressing forward.

Amy Wells, Macy Carr and Jodie Abraham were prominent as they tested the home defence.

Despite piling on the pressure, Poachers were only able to earn a couple of short corners for their efforts.

In the latter stages, Ellie Pybus and Evie Maltby combined well on the break, but just could not manage to get though the Lindum defence as they held on to retain the title.

• Spalding Hockey Club’s junior coaching sessions, which are for boys and girls of all abilities aged between five and 14 years of age, resume on Saturday at Glen Park (9.30-11am).

This early summer programme will run for six weeks until May 27.

The club asks for £3 per week or £12 for the full programme to cover pitch hire and equipment costs.

• Spalding Hockey Club is also running a six-week programme of basic hockey coaching for adults.

These sessions will be held at Glen Park on Tuesday evenings, starting on April 25. They will run through to May 30 and will all run from 7-8pm.

The programme is designed to provide current players, coaches, parents and those teaching hockey at local schools with basic skills and ideas on drills and small sided games for their groups.

Contact Fred Morris via email at fredricmorris@yahoo.co.uk for more information.