Spalding Hockey Club round-up
Spalding Ladies' first team remain on top of the East League Division 2NW standings after a 2-2 draw with City of Peterborough 3rds on Saturday.
The Maroons went a goal down early on but kept up their intensity with some good attacking play, creating chances on goal.
Charlotte Maplethorpe managed to equalise after a strong run and a shot from the top of the D.
However, Peterborough quickly came back to take the lead again just before half-time.
Spalding started stronger in the second half, defending well as a team and passing the ball up the pitch.
After winning a short corner, Karen Timby's strike rebounded in the air towards Maddie Haunch who hit the ball first time into the back of the net.
Spalding remained strong with some impressive play in the second half and they were unlucky not to take the win after some great chances.
Spalding's second team produced a spirited showing in their 7-0 away loss at St Ives.
The Maroons had picked up their first point of the season the week before and were optimistic for another good performance in what was a tough fixture.
The game started with a St Ives pushback and, within the first five minutes, they were one goal up with a dubious effort after Camile Rogers placed the ball on the forward's foot.
Spalding fought hard with some nice passing but struggled to break through St Ives' very strong midfield.
The hosts added five more goals to their tally before the break where Spalding captain Stephanie Wilson rallied the team.
They were much improved after the break and had a few attacking moves while a player of the match performance from Lauren Harvey restricted St Ives to just one more goal.
The third team were beaten 4-1 at table-topping March Town after restricting the leaders to their smallest winning margin of the campaign.
Spalding started the match strongly and, although they had a couple of shots on goal, March were able to convert a short corner to take the lead.
The Maroons did not let this deter them and they continued to pass the ball around to force a short corner where Kelly Tizzano took her chance on the rebound to slot a goal past the March keeper to equalise.
March fought back and were determined to keep their winning streak but player of the match Eliza Morris made some amazing saves to send the teams in level at half-time.
The second half saw a frustrated March trying to bring the lead back but the Spalding defence continued to stop attacks on goal.
Holly Gleave even saved a goal with a straight stick on the line, but unfortunately March managed to score three more goals.
Spalding did not let this affect their performance and managed to keep in the attacking D for the last 10 minutes but were unable to score.
Spalding's men's first team are still searching for their first win of the East League Division One North season after a 6-2 defeat at Cambridge University 2nds on Saturday.
The game started at a high pace with Cambridge scoring twice early on before Spalding suffered an injury setback when they lost Hector Moore.
They rallied well and reduced the arrears with a well converted penalty corner from the stick of Stuart Cunnington.
However, the comeback was swiftly halted by two more Cambridge goals to give them a 4-1 lead at the break.
Cambridge's efficiency at penalty corners continued in the second half as they added another two goals for a 6-1 lead.
Spalding kept on fighting until the end and were rewarded with a second goal after a lovely deflected finish by Will Baker from a Cunnington delivery in the last throes of the match.
With numbers short on both sides, the second team were beaten 4-1 by Cambridge City 4ths after a test of stamina and game management.
Spalding kept good possession of the ball throughout the first half and tested the Cambridge defence while quickly becoming aware of the threat of their visitors on the counter-attack.
City had three or four players who combined skill, pace and confidence on the ball to cause a problem for Spalding which eventually led to two goals on the break.
Not to be disheartened, Spalding pushed on and grabbed a goal in the latter end of the first half through a strong finish from Matt Pottle.
Knowing they had to try and get goals to keep the game alive, Spalding looked to step that bit higher up the pitch after the break when they built up a play which left the counter attack on again.
It was unable to be dealt with as City took a 3-1 lead before another goal gave them some breathing room.
Ignoring the score, Spalding continued to work hard and built good chances, nearly scoring twice, but, with those finishes not going their way, the game ended 4-1 to Cambridge.
Spalding 3rds came out on top by the odd goal in seven in a game against Wisbech 3rds which was devoid of the usual quality.
Spalding took the lead through Tom Eve with a well struck follow up from a short corner.
Early in the second half, Glen Richardson made it 2-0 with a finish from a tight angle having rounded the keeper.
Wisbech fought back just as Spalding looked to be in the ascendency with two quick goals and it looked like they might take control.
But Spalding responded well and short corner goals from Ben Scholes and Richardson put them 4-2 up.
Spalding thought they had a fifth with a minute to go but Reuben Rogers' excellent strike was ruled out.
Wisbech broke and scored to set up what the crowd thought would be a tense finish, only to be told that there were 10 seconds left.
Spalding moved up to fifth after the win as they continue to exceed expectations for the season.
Spalding 4ths were beaten 2-0 by St Ives 4ths after a competitive contest at Glen Park.
Despite strong teamwork and some promising chances, Spalding were unable to convert their opportunities.
Their defence, led by man of the match Ed Sly, put in a solid performance throughout.
Sly’s vital tackles and composure in distributing the ball from the back were crucial in keeping St Ives at bay.
Lorenzo Mendoza also had an excellent game, making important interceptions and tackles to deny St Ives any clear-cut chances.
Spalding created three short corners during the match, each offering a real opportunity to break the deadlock.
Despite good work from Henry Gibbons, Keith Faulkner, and others, they were unable to convert these chances into goals. Dave Burrell also came close but was unlucky not to find the back of the net.
Rafa Read produced an outstanding performance on the wing, using his pace and skill to stretch the St Ives defence and create space for the forwards. His work provided an additional attacking threat and helped keep St Ives under pressure.
St Ives scored twice during the match, but Spalding’s performance, especially from their youngsters and their ability to create chances, showed real potential.
With more focus on converting opportunities, Spalding can look forward to turning performances like this into victories in upcoming matches.
