Spalding Hockey Club round-up
A super second half showing helped Spalding's men's first team record a third successive victory with a seven-goal home success over Norwich Dragons on Saturday.
The Maroons scored six times after the break to maintain their sixth spot in Division 1N of the East League.
The first half had seen both teams press with little success until the 23rd minute when Spalding won a penalty corner which was duly dispatched into the top right by Stuart Cunnington.
Dragons came back fighting with long overhead balls which were safely dealt with by the back line of Sam Howitt, Brendan Morris, Phil Callow and Josh Rowbottom, however, the half ended with little action and a flat feeling.
A rousing half-time talk reinvigorated the squad and everyone came out with renewed intensity to take command of the game and secure the three points on offer.
It took only four minutes for a goal to come from a pass by Harry Naylor finding Dan Azzopardi who slotted the ball home.
With more confidence, the team kept the intensity going and eight minutes later Steve Rogers scored from a Cunnington pass, which was followed by another goal by Azzopardi.
A penalty corner was awarded five minutes later and Cunnington dispatched it to make it 5-0.
Constant pressure from Spalding soon brought another goal two minutes later with man of the match Jacob Baker getting on the scoresheet.
With some silky smooth passing, the score increased to seven with Steve Rogers finishing it off and taking his tally for the game to two.
Spalding kept the positive spirit through to the end and showed control and quality of play to deliver the win after a great team performance.
Spalding 2nds also continued their recent run of good form with a 6--0 away win at their Bourne Deeping counterparts.
As the game pushed back, Bourne Deeping had the majority of the ball, forcing Spalding to dig in for the first 10 minutes which saw some good saves from Rob Callaby as well as some good blocks from the defenders.
Despite this, Spalding managed to find some chances and, from some good passing down the wings, Tim Maltby was able to collect the ball in the D and find the bottom corner to put Spalding into the lead.
After the goal, Spalding found their rhythm by playing some nice hockey, creating more and more chances with growing confidence.
It didn't take too long for James Grant to fire the ball at the keeper and Matt Pottle to claim the rebound to double Spalding's lead.
The intensity didn't stop and, within five minutes of his last goal, Pottle once again found himself in possession of the ball on the top of the D where he whipped it into the bottom corner for a 3-0 half-time lead.
After the interval, Spalding picked up from where they left off, playing fluid hockey and finding the spaces out wide with some good performances from Brendan Atkin and Tiago Read.
After some silky passing around and into the D, Tim Maltby found the gap under the goalkeeper to increase Spalding's lead to 4-0.
Once again Spalding progressed through the wide areas, this time winning a short corner which was saved just before Atkin's shot deflected in and adding a new player to the scoresheet.
It wasn't too long after Spalding's fifth goal when Tom Pilgrim was brought down inside the D for a penalty stroke that gave man of the match Pottle a chance to finish the game with a hat-trick.
Although he missed the mark earlier in the season, this time he corrected his mistake by finding the right side of the post to seal the game at 6-0.
A late goal sent Spalding 3rds to defeat after an excellent performance in their home game with Cambridge City 7ths.
The Maroons started the game well, moving the ball and showing some strong communication.
Cambridge travelled well with experience and players of higher quality and these quickly got involved and took back control of the game.
The visitors created some chances of their own but couldn't find the back of the net with any of these thanks to Spalding's defence staying strong.
The possession changed hands many times within the first half, with both teams having a few chances of their own, but neither could find the back of the net.
The second half matched the first with both teams sharing the possession.
Cambridge broke through on the counter-attack and had a great chance to open the scoring, but a superb save from Steve Thurlbourne kept the scoreline unchanged.
Spalding had a couple of good chances of their own but couldn't find the target.
With both teams beginning to feel the tiredness, Spalding defended the whole game well but, at that stage, Cambridge showed their experience and broke again and, this time, found the back of the net with only two minutes left.
Spalding can take a lot away from the game with the performance and effort put in by everyone.
Spalding Ladies 2nds maintained their pursuit of top spot in Division 3NW of the East League after a three-goal home victory over Ely City on Saturday.
The first 20 minutes proved frustrating as Spalding made so many attempts in the opposition’s D with shots at the goal and numerous short corners.
Finally, a few minutes later Roz Dennis took a confident straight strike at the goal, neatly slotting the ball into the left corner.
Spalding were now fired up and the attack continued with Kelly Cooper taking on the keeper and achieving another short corner in the 33rd minute.
Another strong injection to Dennis at the top rebounded the ball back to Charlotte Maplethorpe on the post put the team 2-0 up at half-time.
Ely played hard and re-formed by putting the midfield and defence at times under pressure but communication was solid at the back to ensure a clean sheet.
The second half resulted in about 10 more short corners that were millimetres out but Spalding were not deterred even after a saved penalty stroke.
Finally, in the 55th minute, Cooper received a fine cross from the speedy Maplethorpe to secure the win with a third goal.
Spalding 3rds continued their fine start to the second half of the season with a 6-0 victory against Kettering 3rds on Saturday.
Keen to build upon the success of two back-to-back wins, the home side were full of positivity and excitement.
They began well and showed that by playing the ball wide to Eloise Doughty and Jennie Bradley, it could be dribbled round players to find the attackers and pressure the Kettering goalkeeper.
Spalding, with the dynamic trio of Vicky Worrell, Sam Foston and Camile Rogers, dictated the game from the centre and successfully broke down play, delivered well timed balls and found themselves taking players on one by one throughout the first half.
At around the 15-minute mark, Terri Bateman found herself slotting the ball into the bottom corner to take the lead confidently.
Several minutes later another goal was scored but disallowed.
Spalding were eager to add more and suddenly Lucy McClements, one on one with the keeper, ensured she took the lead to 2-0 brilliantly.
Spalding were simply stunned when they had another disallowed but the management team were slick in their substituting and motivational support on the side which ensured that the shape was kept throughout.
Just before half-time, Sam Foston decided to take the defence on and easily dribbled through skilfully to score.
Spalding were jubilant at half-time but knew it could change so ensured they discussed and kept to their tactics.
Soon after the break, Charlotte Morris hit the ball through to player of the match Khloe Brewster, who stepped into the D and slapped the ball past the keeper for an impressive goal from the youngster.
The team continued to work hard and the defence were tested on occasions but simply outplayed the opposition.
Terri Bateman managed to grab another goal before the final short corner of the day saw a cheeky slip to McClements who then pushed it into the net.
There are a few more challenging games ahead for the next few weeks but, with confidence high, anything is possible for the Spalding side.
The first team's match with Cambridge City 4ths was postponed.
