Spalding Hockey Club’s ladies’ first team completed their pre-season preparations in emphatic fashion, scoring 11 goals against Bourne Deeping despite going into the match without a goalkeeper.

The 11-1 result came during a busy schedule ahead of the new season. Spalding’s performance was built on confident play from the back through to the forwards, with passing, movement and attacking work producing a dominant display.

Holland hat-trick leads ladies’ victory

Ellie Holland was the leading scorer with a hat-trick. Lily Hooker, who was named player of the match, Karen Timby and Laura Graves each scored twice.

Lauren Spenceley and Amy Naylor completed the scoring with one goal apiece. The result gave the ladies’ first team a strong finish to their preparations, despite the unusual challenge of playing without a recognised goalkeeper.

Their league campaign begins on September 19, when Spalding travel to face Cambridge Nomads Seconds in East Women’s League Division Three North West. The source gives the fixture date as September 19 but does not specify a year.

Men win all three matches in King’s Lynn

Spalding’s men’s first team also ended pre-season with a successful weekend, winning all three matches in a tournament hosted by Pelicans in King’s Lynn. Each game consisted of two 20-minute halves, giving the squad a short but demanding test of its preparation.

The tournament opened with a 4-2 victory over Dereham, who were described as Premier Division opposition. Spalding made an explosive start, with Will Baker, Harry Walsh, Dan Azzopardi and Jacob Baker putting the team 4-0 ahead during the first 20 minutes.

Dereham responded with two penalty corners to narrow the deficit, but Spalding remained firm and secured the opening win.

The second match, against tournament hosts Pelicans, was much tighter. Oscar Haunch produced important saves to keep the scores level, while captain Sam Howitt stopped an effort on the line.

Spalding then won two penalty corners in succession. Stuart Cunnington converted the second one, sending the ball into the roof of the net to complete a 1-0 victory.

The final match was against a resilient and youthful Pelicans Seconds side. Tom Amess gave Spalding the lead, but the team then came under pressure after retreating. Haunch was again in excellent form before Will Baker broke away to make it 2-0 before half-time.

Pelicans pulled a goal back through a controversial penalty-corner strike. As the game stretched and players tired, Spalding won another penalty corner, with Jacob Baker finishing the move to secure a 3-1 win.

Defeats for second and fourth teams

Spalding’s men’s seconds were beaten 5-0 at home by Lindum. The side featured a mixture of new squad members and returning players and began brightly, looking sharp from the push-off.

Despite producing plenty of good work, Spalding were caught cold by several soft goals. The team responded positively, settling into a better rhythm, finding its shape, keeping to its structure and putting together several strong spells of play.

However, Spalding could not turn that possession and attacking work into goals, while Lindum took its opportunities. The match was played in baking heat, but the players’ heads did not drop during the difficult contest.

The men’s fourth team also lost to Lindum, going down 2-0 to Lindum Fifths at Glen Park in Surfleet. It was the first opportunity for the new-look side to play together, with many of the home players taking the field alongside teammates they had not previously played with.

Spalding showed enthusiasm, commitment and team spirit during a goalless first half. The warm conditions began to affect the team after the interval, however, and Lindum took advantage as Spalding struggled to maintain its intensity, scoring twice.

Opening-day fixtures

The club’s listed opening-day programme includes fixtures for four men’s teams and the women’s second team:

  • East Men’s Division 1 North: Spalding v Cambridge, 2pm.
  • East Men’s Division 3 North West: Cambridge City IV v Spalding II, 1pm.
  • East Men’s Division 4 North West: Cambridge Nomads II v Spalding III, 1pm.
  • East Men’s Division 5 North West: Spalding IV v Kettering IV, 12.30pm.
  • East Women’s Division 4 North West: Ely City II v Spalding II, noon.

The opening fixtures follow a mixed pre-season for the club, with the ladies’ first team and men’s first team carrying significant momentum into their campaigns, while the seconds and fourth team have the opportunity to build on their early competitive experience.