Spalding Hockey Club round-up
Spalding Ladies 2nds head into Saturday's top-of-the-table clash in Division 3NW on the back of a last-gasp away win at the weekend.
They returned triumphant from their trip to Huntingdon after a 2-1 victory which maintained pole position for the Maroons.
They now host second-placed Cambridge Nomads on Saturday looking to increase their two-point advantage over their visitors.
Spalding had to overcome a tricky pitch and difficult conditions of rain and wind at the weekend.
Straight out of the blocks, as is their style, Spalding made their way into the D only to be thwarted by the experienced home defence for the first of many times in the game.
As the half progressed, Spalding continued to make chances with Honor Moore combining well with Kelly Cooper on the right-hand side, but they were unable to beat the resolute defence. The game remained scoreless into the break.
In the second half, the weather continued to hamper the play as players from both teams struggled to keep their feet on the slippery surface.
Charlotte Maplethorpe then found some space and the net to give the visitors the lead.
Credit to Huntingdon, who continued their fight and before long found themselves level when Sally Pilgrim failed to complete the stop on the line.
Spalding were desperate not to go home without all three points and continued to go forward in search of a winner.
When all seemed to be going against them, player of the match Maplethorpe glided past the tiring defence to slip the ball home with two minutes to go and seal the win to the relief of all.
Spalding Ladies edged a close contest with Pelicans on Saturday.
They ran out 3-2 winners in the Division 2NW match after goals from Ellie Holland, Georgina Maplethorpe and Lauren Spenceley.
The game started at a fast pace with great runs down the line from Amy Naylor and Kate Amess.
A run from Amess then found Holland who took a wonderful shot which hit the back of the net.
With the game going all Spalding’s way there was another attack from Spenceley who took a reverse shot on goal where it hit Pelicans on the line and the Maroons won a penalty flick which Maplethorpe perfectly converted.
Pelicans found their way into the game when Spalding had a player sent off and took advantage of that to reduce the arrears before half-time.
The second half started with fast pace again from Spalding who created a lot of chances but were unable to convert them.
Pelicans then won themselves a short corner which they converted to level the contest.
Spalding put up a battle when chasing for the win and Spenceley found herself with the ball in the D and took a shot which flew past the goalkeeper.
Pelicans kept piling on the pressure to find an equaliser but Spalding stood strong to secure a second successive league win.
Three first half goals helped fire Spalding Ladies 3rds to victory against their St Neots counterparts on Saturday.
They started well with player of the match Vicky Worrall driving forwards and smashing the ball into the goal in the first two minutes.
The team continued their dominance and showed some fantastic linking play between Worrall and Camille Rogers who simply outplayed the opposition the entire game.
Rogers was able to intercept many balls and slot the ball forwards to team-mate Chloe P or Lucy McClements.
They were able to pressure the opposition constantly and won an abundance of short corners.
After this, Worrall received a super pass at the top of the D and struck it beautifully to score again.
Spalding, feeling elated and determined to grab three points, then worked a short corner successfully for Chloe P to sneak one past the keeper again to take it 3-0 at half-time.
The Spading side worked hard in the second half, negotiating the play as well as the weather.
They continued to work hard and build up some fantastic play from the defence through to the attackers.
Sharon Amess broke down an incredible amount of the St Neots play as well as Lisa Dean working hard on the left with Terri Bateman and Eloise Doughty.
Captain Charlotte Morris continued to hit the ball out to the forwards to ensure the opposition were caught short, especially with AJ Bunyon dribbling at them.
This fun and positive side remained confident throughout even when an off the ball incident left defender Kelly Tizzano injured.
A display of character, resilience and determination ensured Spalding's men's first team returned victorious after a 2-1 win at Cambridge South on Saturday.
An equal start to the game saw chances come and go for both teams who were unable to open the scoring.
Cambs began to get on top and keeper Oscar Haunch made several big saves from penalty corners to keep the score at 0-0.
During this period of play, Cambs took the lead as a quick South free hit caught Spalding off guard and a ball across the face of the D found the striker to finish at the back post. The half was seen out with Spalding trailing at the break.
Spalding came out on the front foot in the second half and won numerous penalty corners.
Stuart Cunnington’s low drag flick hit a foot on the line and up stepped Jacob Baker and, although his flick down the middle was saved by the keeper, the ball trickled over the line to make the game all square at 1-1.
South began to overrun Spalding, however, a determined display from the forwards and midfielders allowed the game to become end-to-end.
Spalding were grateful for an inspirational display from keeper Haunch who during a 10-minute period of play made multiple saves which frustrated South.
Spalding regained their composure and, despite losing Darren Grooby to a green card, won another penalty corner.
Up stepped Cunnington again and he found the bottom corner of the goal to give Spalding the lead.
Spalding entered the last 10 minutes throwing their bodies on the line and collected several war wounds as Brendan Morris had a nose bleed and David Dorey took a hit to the ankle.
They also lost Sam Howitt for the last five minutes due to a yellow card for questioning a decision.
Spalding's players were out on their feet at the end of the game but a collective effort from all 15 members ensured they left with three huge points.
The men's second team went down to a 3-0 home loss against Wisbech while the lost by the same margin against Cambridge South 4ths.
The fourth team took on City of Peterborough 7ths in a friendly where they went down to a 7-3 defeat.
They were able to give debuts to three more youngsters in Dylan Hind, Fred Neal and Alex Myland.
With many seniors away and several juniors absent on a school trip, the team were also grateful to Eliza Morris for stepping into goal and to Fred and James Morris adding strength to the squad.
Spalding's goals came from a well deflected strike from Hind, a penalty stroke expertly dispatched by Jake Sawyer and a clean strike from Brian Read.
The 4ths are back in league action on Saturday at home to Kettering 4ths, looking to consolidate a top half finish.