Spalding Hockey Club records six wins, draws and junior success across busy weekend

Spalding Hockey Club’s men’s 1st XI produced the weekend’s biggest result with a 6-0 victory over Felixstowe 1st XI, as all four of the club’s men’s teams avoided defeat.

The club’s women’s sides also produced contrasting results. The ladies’ 1st XI won 2-0 away against Cambridge City 6th XI, while the ladies’ 2nd XI were beaten 4-1 by Bourne Deeping 2nd XI. Spalding’s junior teams added further positive results during a busy day of fixtures at Horncastle.

Men’s 1st XI make confident start

Spalding began the match against a well-organised and experienced Felixstowe side with purpose. Joe Rogers opened the scoring with an early penalty corner, striking the ball into the roof of the net.

Felixstowe responded by creating pressure and winning a number of penalty corners of its own. Spalding goalkeeper Oscar Haunch kept his side ahead with several saves, helping the hosts withstand the visitors’ early challenges.

After that spell, Spalding regained its composure and created another opportunity from a penalty corner. Stuart Cunnington converted it to extend the advantage.

The home side then had to manage a period in which several Spalding players received green cards. The team regrouped, however, and Rogers scored his second penalty-corner goal before half-time to give Spalding a 3-0 lead at the interval.

Felixstowe started the second half with renewed motivation and tested the Spalding defence during the opening 10 minutes. Spalding defended effectively before Cunnington produced one of the match’s individual highlights, making a skilful run and beating the visiting goalkeeper with an accurate reverse-stick strike at the near post.

James Grant then added a fifth goal after a free-flowing move created space for him to shoot accurately from the top of the D.

Spalding continued to press rather than settle for the result. A penalty corner in the 66th minute led to a penalty stroke, which Jacob Baker dispatched to complete the 6-0 scoreline.

The result reflected a strong contribution from the whole squad, with Spalding’s attacking efficiency supported by Haunch’s earlier saves and a disciplined defensive response after the break.

Three other men’s sides avoid defeat

Spalding Men’s 2nd XI earned a 1-1 draw away at Kettering 2nd XI in a match that became increasingly intense.

The first half was even, with both teams creating moments, but Kettering went into the interval 1-0 ahead. Spalding had made opportunities, although the notoriously slow pitch made it difficult for the visitors to turn those chances into goals.

Spalding found its equaliser soon after half-time. An unconventional short corner broke to Reuben Rogers, who calmly slotted the ball past the advancing goalkeeper.

The final 10 minutes brought further pressure. A Kettering player was shown a five-minute yellow card, but Spalding held firm to secure a hard-earned point.

The men’s 3rd XI went one better, winning 4-3 away against March Town 2nd XI in an eventful contest.

Spalding’s attackers looked to create an opening from the early stages, and Dylan Hind put the visitors ahead within six minutes. Tim Maltby doubled the lead on the 20-minute mark after Spalding worked its way around the March defence and created space for the finish.

March fought back with two quick goals shortly before half-time, leaving the scores level at the interval. Maltby restored Spalding’s advantage after 45 minutes, but March responded again after generating several short-corner opportunities. Most of those chances were defended successfully, although one resulted in another equaliser.

Spalding continued to attack and Ethan Worrall settled the match in the final minute, sealing three points for the visitors.

The men’s 4th XI also secured an important win, beating St Neots 3rd XI 1-0. The result moved Spalding out of the relegation places in East League Division 5NW.

The hosts started strongly and restricted St Neots to two half-chances during the first half. Spalding also created opportunities but could not initially find a way through.

The decisive move came when Alex Myland delivered the ball across the face of goal for Matthew Dorsett, who finished confidently. St Neots pushed for an equaliser as the match went on, but a tiring Spalding side defended its lead and secured the clean sheet.

Ladies’ 1st XI win in Cambridge

Spalding Ladies’ 1st XI recorded a 2-0 victory at Cambridge City 6th XI during their second visit to Cambridge this season.

Spalding began with strong teamwork and dominant possession. Ellie Holland opened the scoring with a powerful shot from the top of the D that found the top corner.

There was an early setback two minutes later when captain Karen Timby suffered an injury and was unable to play for the remainder of the match. Despite losing their captain, Spalding continued to support one another and maintain the quality of their performance.

Kate Amess doubled the lead on 15 minutes. The goal followed good passing from the back through to the front, with Spalding continuing to move the ball confidently and create further opportunities.

Roz Dennis and Leanne Pick were particularly prominent in midfield, contributing tireless work as the team controlled possession and protected its advantage.

Ladies’ 2nd XI show determination despite defeat

Spalding Ladies’ 2nd XI lost 4-1 to an experienced Bourne Deeping 2nd XI, but created chances and continued competing throughout the match.

Spalding started brightly, producing sharp link-up play and winning several short corners. A well-timed through ball from Kelly Tizzano sent Sam Foston on a promising solo run, although the effort went just wide.

Goalkeeper Anya Knights made important saves to keep Spalding in the contest before Bourne Deeping scored to take a 1-0 lead into half-time.

Spalding continued to push forward after the interval and produced good passing combinations, but again struggled to apply the finishing touch. Bourne Deeping then converted a penalty stroke and added two quick goals during a difficult spell to establish a 4-0 lead.

Spalding kept attacking down the wings and was rewarded late in the game when Khloe Brewster calmly finished a penalty corner. The goal reduced the deficit and provided a deserved reward for the team’s persistence.

Juniors record positive results at Horncastle

Spalding’s junior players also performed strongly away at Horncastle, where the club faced teams representing Grimsby, Lindum, Louth, Horncastle and Brigg.

The under-10s finished the day with four wins and one loss. The under-13s recorded two wins, three draws and one loss.

The junior fixtures provided a full day of hockey and included positive performances across both age groups. Teamwork, determination and attacking intent were evident as Spalding’s young players competed against teams from across the area.

Taken together, the weekend’s results included a six-goal men’s 1st XI victory, a point for the men’s 2nd XI, late wins for the men’s 3rd and 4th XIs, an away success for the ladies’ 1st XI and a strong set of junior results at Horncastle.