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Spalding Hockey Club round-up




A nailbiting home victory maintained Spalding Ladies' second team's place among the leading lights in Division 3NW of the East League.

The Maroons secured a 3-2 home win over Kettering 2nds to stay two points behind league leaders Bourne Deeping with a game in hand.

Kettering took an early lead 15 minutes into the game, breaking through Spalding's defence.

Spalding Ladies 2nds were 3-2 home winners over Kettering 2nds. Photo: Nigel Cookson
Spalding Ladies 2nds were 3-2 home winners over Kettering 2nds. Photo: Nigel Cookson

However, just after half-time, Charlotte Maplethorpe skilfully equalised.

Momentum swung in Spalding's favour when Maplethorpe scored in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper to put the home side in front.

Kettering swiftly responded, levelling the score once again.

Amidst numerous attempts to pull ahead, Spalding worked effortlessly as an attacking force while player of the match Sophie Wilson made several crucial interceptions, cutting off any chances Kettering had to clear the ball.

In the dying moments, Steph Wilson won a final short corner and a collective effort saw Hennie Boekestyn tap in the decisive goal for a thrilling victory.

The ladies' first team produced a fantastic effort in their narrow 2-1 home defeat against high-flying Cambridge South 2nds.

Spalding were eager to attack hard from the start of the game due to anticipating a difficult match against their second-placed visitors.

The hard press worked in Spalding's favour as Amy Naylor took the ball into the D from the left, along base line and neatly passed it across the goal to Honor Moore who slotted it home to score on her first team debut.

Spalding Ladies 2nds were 3-2 home winners over Kettering 2nds. Photo: Nigel Cookson
Spalding Ladies 2nds were 3-2 home winners over Kettering 2nds. Photo: Nigel Cookson

Unfortunately, the opposition were awarded a penalty stroke following an initial save which then bobbled from a South player to a hit at goal.

The ball hit Spalding's player on the line and Cambs then scored the penalty stroke for a 1-1 interval score.

Spalding came out strongly for the second half with some great play in the middle.

However, a break from South gave them a three-on-two overload which they converted to take the lead.

With a strong push from Spalding for the rest of the half, they created a number of short corner opportunities but the solid defence from South held out.

The ladies' third team were beaten 3-0 at Cambridge City 6ths after travelling to their top of the table hosts with a small squad for a late afternoon match.

Jubilant in spirit, the team made a slow start to get going and City were quick to put the pressure on and were awarded a short corner minutes into the game.

Once Spalding settled and were able to make some breaks, Sam Foston demonstrated super skills with dribbling through the opposition.

Attempts were made to get the ball into the D but the home side's defence was just too strong.

Spalding Ladies 2nds were 3-2 home winners over Kettering 2nds. Photo: Nigel Cookson
Spalding Ladies 2nds were 3-2 home winners over Kettering 2nds. Photo: Nigel Cookson

City utilised the ball well and caused the midfielders to have work extremely hard. Camille Rogers cut many balls out and linked well to get the ball forwards.

The Cambridge side made many breaks and managed to slot one through Eliza Morris’s legs, however, the away side were not disheartened as they recognised they were playing well.

The second half began well with lots of play being sent Holly Gleave's way, who at times was able to make some headway towards goal.

Honor Pearson from right back worked tirelessly and pressed hard and intercepted often, then took the ball quickly forwards.

As always, the effort of Sharon Amess did not go unnoticed and ensured that the defence were always supported.

City were awarded multiple short corners but were unable to convert any thanks to the solidness of Amess, Pearson, Terri Bateman and Charlotte Morris.

Unfortunately, key player Vicky Worral, who had been making some important passes and interceptions during the game, was taken out while defending and needed to leave the pitch injured, causing Spalding to have to dig deep.

City took full advantage of this and scored two great goals even despite the fabulous tackles of Bateman slowing them down.

Tuneful keeper Eliza Morris continued to make some crucial and critical saves for the rest of the half and helped to ensure the game remained at 3-0.

Spalding Ladies 2nds were 3-2 home winners over Kettering 2nds. Photo: Nigel Cookson
Spalding Ladies 2nds were 3-2 home winners over Kettering 2nds. Photo: Nigel Cookson

It was a well-fought battle that didn't have a glittering end that was hoped for but one that Spalding can all be proud of.

Honours finished even after a cracking contest between Spalding and City of Peterborough 2nds on Saturday.

The match started off with the tempo set high from both teams and a goal from Peterborough late in the first half made it 1-0, setting the tone for an exciting encounter.

However, Spalding quickly countered shortly after the opening goal, as Barney Harris seized the opportunity off a rebound, expertly slotting the ball into the bottom left corner and levelling the score.

The intensity heightened in the second half and both teams found opportunities to attack.

After fantastic attacking play and an upgrade in the D, Stuart Cunnington unleashed a flick from a short corner which found the bottom right corner and put Spalding into the lead.

Despite Spalding's efforts, Peterborough managed to equalize with another goal, keeping the scoreline deadlocked at 2-2.

Oscar Haunch emerged as the unsung hero of the match, making a series of brilliant saves that proved instrumental in keeping the team in contention and ensuring a hard-fought point.

Spalding's third team returned from their trip to Cambridge South 5ths with the points after a 2-1 away win.

Spalding Ladies 2nds were 3-2 home winners over Kettering 2nds. Photo: Nigel Cookson
Spalding Ladies 2nds were 3-2 home winners over Kettering 2nds. Photo: Nigel Cookson

The Maroons began the game as the dominant side and got their reward with Dave Burrell scoring inside the first four minutes.

Spalding continued to keep possession but couldn't finish any chances and had to settle for a one-goal lead at half-time.

They continued the second half much the same and 15 minutes after the restart Spalding got their second goal from Graeme Matthews to make it 2-0.

Cambridge South put pressure on and got a goal back with 10 minutes to go but Spalding held out against late pressure to win the game.

Spalding's fourth team remain in fourth place in Division 5NW despite a 4-1 defeat to Bourne Deeping 3rds.

The match started off very well with Spalding keeping possession of the ball for the main part of the first 15 minutes.

Bourne Deeping then gained a short corner which hit a defensive foot so a penalty flick was awarded but this was brilliantly saved by Eddy Sawyer.

The Dragons then took further possession and dribbled forwards and slotted in the first goal.

After the ball was pushed out again, Spalding gained a short corner which nearly went in but was blocked.

Shortly after Spalding gained control of the ball and Reuben Rogers and the wingers dribbled up the pitch trying to score to even the match but Bourne Deeping's defence took possession and passed around the visiting players to double their lead.

Spalding hit back with their heads up and a Bourne Deeping defender stopped the ball in its tracks and hit it away.

Ethan Worrall stopped the ball with a reverse pick out of the air and slipped it to Mark Rogers who smashed his shot into the goal.

This spurred Spalding on and again the midfielders passed the ball, making good use of the wingers on their way to goal.

Spalding had lots of attempts, but Bourne Deeping's defence kept on defending and passing it down the line to a strong striker who added two more goals to make it 4-1.

With three of the more experienced players called up to the third team and two others unavailable, this was a very good performance against a Bourne Deeping side who have lost just once all season and sit second in the table.



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