Spalding Hockey Club round-up
Spalding shared the points after a hard-fought 4-4 draw against St Ives on Saturday.
The game started with both attacks being on top with some end to end action.
Opportunities were plentiful for Spalding with good chances and Dan Azzopardi eventually tapped a deflected pass into the back of the net.
St Ives bounced back with a quick counter-attack with their striker dribbling from midfield through the Spalding defence to put a smart finish past Oscar Haunch in goal.
The first half continued in a similar fashion with Spalding playing some good hockey and St Ives countering effectively.
A short corner was converted by Stuart Cunnington and another well finished goal by Azzopardi at the back post were both matched with a quick counter and a well worked goal from St Ives, leaving the game level at 3-3 at half time.
The second half was played at a similar intensity, with both teams having opportunities.
This intensity led to several cards throughout the second half for both sides, leading to opportunities at both ends.
After many well-placed passes had whistled across the D, one eventually fell to Will Baker, who took the ball calmly around the goalkeeper before flicking it past two defenders on the line.
St Ives again bounced back though after a short corner decision, which left a few Spalding players scraping their heads.
The first shot was well saved by Haunch but unfortunately deflected onto Will Steed's foot. The subsequent short hit the postman's knee, leading to a penalty stroke. This was then converted leaving the game at 4-4.
The final 10 minutes provided a frantic affair with both teams' defensive units scrambling in turn. Ultimately, though, neither of the attacks could secure the winning goal.
The second team went down to a 4-1 loss to Cambridge South 3rds with Matt Hulme hitting their goal.
The third were 4-2 victors in their match against City of Peterborough 6ths.
Spalding started off the better team with Ben Scholes scoring first to make it 1-0.
Peterborough quickly responded to equalise but Spalding won a penalty flick which Graeme Matthews smartly converted to regain the lead.
Tim Amess increased the advantage to 3-1 just before half-time.
Peterborough got a goal back to make it 3-2 and piled even more pressure on to get an equaliser but Spalding countered the high press with Charlie Smith touching around the goalkeeper for an open goal to seal the game.
The fourth team match against St Ives 4ths was postponed.
Spalding Ladies were unable to halt the charge of unbeaten East League Division 2NW leaders St Neots after a four-goal defeat on Saturday.
The Maroons produced a brilliant effort despite the defeat in what they knew would be a difficult game.
Retaining possession from Evie Maltby and Pippa Bembridge allowed Spalding to remain in control of the game in the first half.
St Neots, however, were able to eventually intercept play and lead them to an attack on goal where an excellent save from Freya Lee and work from the defence denied them the opportunity.
Player of the match Jess Ball continued to keep the attackers out of the D with tackle after tackle as kept Spalding in the game as they trailed by just only one goal at half-time.
As the temperatures began to drop and the pitch began to freeze, it made things slightly more difficult in the second half.
A quick counter-attack from Jess Ball and Ellie Holland challenged the unexpecting defence of St Neots allowing for a scoring opportunity which was unfortunately saved.
Spalding's efforts did not falter but, despite Freya Lee’s excellent efforts, St Neots netted a three further times.
The ladies' second team game against Wisbech was postponed while the thirds were beaten 5-1 by March Town.
Although Spalding managed to intercept several passes, March were able to tip tap round the defence and score an early goal.
Minutes later, after making a save, keeper Eliza Morris left the pitch injured and player of the match Lucy McClements bounced in to replace her to face a penalty stroke which March converted for a 2-0 lead.
Spalding began to pass the ball around in the sunshine and made some great attacking play.
They won a short corner but Charlotte Morris couldn’t use her mighty strike this week to her advantage.
The opposition were the stronger side and utilised their talent for working the ball and took many strikes but McClements stopped the majority with Grace Hodgett and Honor Pearson right by her side.
March scored twice more just before half-time to make it 4-0 which left manager Michael Morris to set out the expectations of winning the second half.
Utilising the tactic of man-marking their main player with the skill of Camille Rogers and Jennie Bradley, Spalding suddenly had more chances.
With Chloe P and Eloise Doughty battling with the rebounds, Doughty slipped it past the keeper to grab a cheeky goal back.
Spalding now had a spring in their step and were determined to score more.
Holly Gleave worked hard in her new position and, as always, the dynamo partnership of Vicky Worrall and Sharon Amess was particularly impressive.
Just before the end of the game, March scored once again but it was Spalding who certainly felt like they had played better in the second half.
