Final matches of the East League season for Spalding Hockey Club
Spalding Ladies rounded off their title-winning campaign in Division 2NW of the East League with an emphatic away win on Saturday.
The Maroons were 9-2 victors in their final match of a successful campaign at Cambridge Nomads.
The game started off strongly with Spalding maintaining possession of the ball.
They took an early lead in the 15th minute of the game with Laura Graves scoring her first goal of her hat-trick.
Only two minutes later, Graves had set up Spalding's second goal when she slipped it to Honor Moore who found the perfect gap to push it past the opposition's keeper.
Spalding continued to create chances but Cambridge were not giving up easily and earned themselves a short corner which they were able to convert.
With minutes left to go in the first half, Spalding were awarded a short corner.
Karen Timby played a powerful hit to the left post for a fantastic deflection from captain Charlotte Maplethorpe for a 3-1 interval lead.
The second half started well with Spalding earning a short corner within minutes.
A great routine between Graves and Ellie Holland saw the former's second goal fire into the bottom right corner of the net.
This was closely followed by another fantastic link up between the pairs which saw Graves complete her hat-trick.
Holland wasn't done assisting and, in the 53rd minute of the game, she played a pass to Moore who skillfully slotted it past the keeper for her second goal.
Spalding earned another short corner soon after which was taken by Jess Ball at the top of the D and she unleashed a straight strike that found the bottom left corner of the net for her first goal of the season.
This was closely followed by a reverse hit which saw Ball score her second goal just minutes later.
Cambridge scored their second goal in open play which did not phase Spalding who continued to work hard.
The final goal came from an assist from Moore who played a lovely ball across to Holland who then added her name to the scoresheet with a perfectly timed push past the keeper.
A first win of the season eluded Spalding Ladies 2nds in their final match of the Division 2NW season on Saturday.
The relegated Maroons were beaten 2-0 by visiting Cambridge City 5ths at Glen Park.
The visitors had found the back of the net within three minutes, completely catching Spalding off guard.
However, they didn't let this set them back and fought hard to win every ball, intercept passes, and mark intensely in the centre to disrupt City's momentum and pace on the ball.
Maddie Haunch and Hennie Boekestyn proved to be valued additions to the team down the wing and centre while the midfield held strong with Kate Amess, Camille Rogers, Vicky Worrall, Zoe Moore and Tabby Green picking up players.
Goalkeeper Char Burt was on fire throughout with two stick saves and a plethora of goalline clearances, rightly earning her player of the match award.
Lauren Spenceley and Erin McMurray created several opportunities up front and the defence held strong with Grace Hodgett, Leanne Isaac-Pick and Sam Maltby switching play and stopping City's advances towards goal.
The second half started much the same as the first with a quick attack from City and the ball unfortunately once again found the back of the net.
Spalding also had opportunities to score and McMurray made some beautiful advances in the attacking D, however, these did not convert to goals.
Two short corners were awarded in succession and Hudgett stepped up to take her place but neither sweep made it over the goalline.
Spalding Ladies 3rds put in a determined performance in their final game of the season but, despite their best efforts, they fell to a 2-0 defeat in a competitive and hard-fought match against Haverhill.
The game started with Kelly Tizzano and Emily Wright controlling the midfield, working hard to break up opposition attacks and push Spalding forward.
The team showed great energy, looking to finish the season on a high, but the opposition applied early pressure.
Holly Gleave, playing at centre-back, led the defensive line brilliantly, staying composed and making crucial interceptions.
Poppy Hooker was also solid at the back, putting in strong tackles to stop dangerous attacks.
Despite their resilience, Spalding conceded the opening goal midway through the first half when the opposition took advantage of a quick attacking move to slot the ball past Eliza Morris, who had already made some excellent saves to keep the game tight.
Spalding responded positively with Sam Foston and Khloe Brewster working tirelessly up front.
Foston came close with a powerful strike while Brewster's pace and movement created problems for the opposition defence.
However, despite their attacking efforts, Spalding were unable to find an equaliser before half-time.
The second half saw Spalding push forward again, determined to end the season with a goal.
Tizzano and Wright continued to battle in midfield, linking up well with the forwards.
Foston and Brewster both had chances, with the latter forcing a great save from the opposition goalkeeper.
At the back, Gleave and Hooker remained solid under pressure, keeping Spalding in the game.
However, in the closing stages, a counter-attack saw the opposition double their lead.
Although the game ended in defeat, Spalding can be proud of their efforts this season.
The team has shown great spirit, teamwork and improvement and, despite the result, they battled until the final whistle.
The final match of the East League Division 1N campaign summarised Spalding's season well as they were narrowly beaten by Cambridge City 2nds.
The Maroons were again in contention in the game but did not quite cover the key moments as they went down to a 3-1 loss.
The game started at a slow pace with Cambridge reserving energy after only travelling with 11 players.
Some open, end-to-end play led to chances with Cambridge making the most of theirs, taking the lead in the fourth minute, following in after a good save from Oscar Haunch.
The first half remained 1-0 with patient play from both teams leading to few opportunities.
Both Cambridge and Spalding had opportunities at short corners but were unsuccessful.
The second half was more open with some clear chances appearing for both sides which were squandered.
Goalkeepers from both sides made key saves at key times keeping their respective teams in the game.
The game remained even with Cambridge being the more clinical at short corners, scoring from two, one a well worked deflection and the other a second phase flick after another good save from Haunch.
Spalding continued to press, looking for a result, and won a short corner in the final seconds looking to end the season on a high.
The short corner was well converted by Jacob Baker slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Harry Walsh netted twice as the second team ran out 3-1 away winners at Cambridge Nomads 2nds in Division 3NW.
Spalding 3rds finished the season with an entertaining 5-4 win against March 2nds to secure a top six finish in Division 4NW.
March needed a win to ensure their own safety and the strong travelling squad started brightly by taking an early lead from a short corner.
Spalding hit back in the 10th minute when Ethan Worrall found the goal from close range.
March retook the lead before Spalding hit back with a Glenn Richardson short corner and a Danny Wright close range finish to lead 3-2 at the break.
March hit back early in the second half to restore parity before a five minute cameo from Simon Goode saw him bundle home Spalding's fourth.
Spalding made it 5-3 as Richardson finished sublimely into the roof of the net with a narrow angle effort and it looked like the game was over
However, March hit back instantly to keep the margin at one goal.
Amazingly the last two minutes of an end to end encounter produced no more goals for the engrossed crowd.
Having finished ninth last season and with four new teams joining the league structure from another region this season, it really has been a great effort to finish sixth as the young players in the team continue to progress.
Spalding 4ths ended their season on a high with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Wisbech 4ths to secure seventh place in Division 5NW after a closely contested match.
The Maroons took the lead early on when Dave Burrell capitalised on a penalty corner, firing the ball into the net to put his side ahead.
Wisbech responded with a goal of their own, but Spalding regained the advantage when Fred Neal produced a stunning strike that deflected off the post and into the net, earning him the man of the match award.
Wisbech refused to back down and managed to equalise once again, setting up a tense finale with the score locked at 2-2.
As the clock ticked down, Dylan Hind stepped up to score a late winner, securing the victory and sealing Spalding's place above their rivals in the standings.
The strong midfield play of Andy Barlow, Brian Read and Henry Gibbons was instrumental throughout the match, providing vital support in both attack and defence.
Their work rate and control in the middle of the pitch helped drive Spalding forward and maintain pressure on Wisbech.
Spalding's defence also played a crucial role in securing the win, with Lorenzo Mendoza, James Giles, Alex Myland, and Kev Sawyer all putting in solid performances to keep Wisbech at bay.
