Spalding Hockey Club round-up

A performance full of tempo, pressure and pace was not enough for Spalding's men's first team as they lost 5-2 at league leaders Pelicans on Saturday.

The Maroons had started well as lovely transitions from the back into the fleet-footed Harry Blackman and Harry Naylor allowed Spalding to gain territory.

The home side dug deep and a small rearrangement with the middle of park allowed momentum to swing into the hosts' favour.

The first D entry resulted in ping-pong in the area and, with Spalding unable to clear, the hosts went in front. One became two quickly through the winning of a setpiece midway through the first half.

Spalding were undeterred and pushed forward, determined to make their mark through good balls down both flanks to David Dorey and Jacob Baker.

Yet again territory and pressure amounted to little clear chances and Pelicans pushed into a 3-0 lead as Spalding went down to 10 men with a green card for Phil Callow.

Spalding - in the time left - duly responded on the right flank through a good goal by Dan Azzopardi to give the visitors hope going to into the half-time break 3-1 adrift.

The second half continued at a similar tempo to how the first half ended, Spalding pushing and Pelicans standing firm.

Eventually this pressure saw a breakthrough at a short corner through Stuart Cunnington converting top left to make it 3-2.

Pushing for the equaliser did leave gaps at the back for the visitors which Pelicans duly capitalised on, in quick succession, for a 5-2 lead.

Spalding continued to take the game to the table-toppers and good transition play from Barney Harris in the second half meant there was always a threat for the hosts when the Maroons attacked but it was Pelicans who claimed the points and remain top.

Spalding 2nds made a winning return to Glen Park after consecutive away games with a 4-1 victory against St Ives.

Spalding were strong off the start and some swift passes allowed Matt Sanders to receive the ball in the D and, after beating his man, he managed to hit the ball into the bottom corner.

After taking the lead, Spalding began to find themselves falling behind, having to dig in and call for some great saves off Rob Callaby.

Spalding's response to this was to get their heads back into the game and secure the lead with some wonderful play, showing their full range of skills and managing to find Matt Hulme in the D who slotted the ball between the keeper's legs.

After the half-time break, St Ives pulled a goal back but, as Spalding felt the lead beginning to slip away, man of the match Arron Borst managed to reignite the spark by allowing them the freedom to play good hockey.

This allowed debutant Lewis Burton to assist Finlay Roy on the penalty spot to slap the ball into the corner, once again extending Spalding's lead at 3-1.

Spalding continued to put St Ives under pressure and, towards the closing moments of the game, Matt Pottle - who had not long returned to the pitch after his green card - collected the ball on the top of the D and sent it whizzing past the goalkeeper to seal the win.

Spalding 3rds had a tough time at St Neots 2nds who recorded a 9-0 victory.

Spalding soaked up a lot of the pressure until they fell behind after 15 minutes.

Spalding won some penalty corners and had some half chances on the counter-attack but couldn't score and St. Neots were more clinical for a 3-0 interval lead.

The second half started as the first finished but, with Spalding having a lack of substitutes, they began to run out of steam in their defence of St Neots' relentless attacks.

Spalding 4ths made it three league wins on the bounce with a hard-fought 3-2 victory at Kettering.

The Maroons pushed back and kept possession for two minutes. This led to Dave Burrell being found in space and his pinpoint cross was turned into his own net by the Kettering defender.

Spalding continued to dominate and added to their lead with another well worked goal which was finished off at the far post by Max Wright for his first senior goal.

At this stage it looked like Spalding had complete control, but Kettering fought their way back into the game with an unfortunate deflection and then a well struck goal just before half-time.

Spalding found the breakthrough in the second half with a solo run and finish from Andy Barlow and, despite not adding to their tally, saw the game out in reasonable comfort. They host St Ives 4ths this weekend.