Spalding Ladies 3 0 Cambridge University 4 4
Spalding travelled with a younger looking team and less than they would have liked but it did not prevent them from demonstrating a solid performance. Cambridge looking to take promotion with a win were keen to impress early on, and with a misjudgement from captain Charlotte Morris, they grabbed their first one. However, Spalding settled and Morris was able to link quickly with midfielders and attackers with her hit outs. Camille Rogers ensured that the ball was hunted down and slipped it wide to Holly Gleave who played her best game or to Samantha Foston who simply dazzled the opposition as she glided past them all. Chloe P worked tirelessly to win the ball and drive hungrily into the D and Spalding were often awarded a short corner for her tremendous efforts. As always, the defence were under pressure, but Lisa Dean and Terri Bateman coped well and managed to steer danger away. None more so than Vicky Worrall who from know where, sprinted, dived and dramatically cleared the ball off the line to prevent a further goal. Unfortunately, just before half time, Cambridge scored another.
The travelling side were determined to keep the game alive and came back out with a fighting spirit. Milly Hastings was always in the right position and nurtured the youngsters well alongside Honor Pearson who’s maturity shone brightly. They grabbed a few more short corners but still with no success. Winger Jessica Pilgrim was a whizz out wide and certainly made her presence felt as she tackled successfully and made some fabulous runs that often linked with Khloe Brewster who moved so gracefully around the pitch. Goal keeper and player of the match Eliza Morris made some crucial and crunching saves throughout the game and even created a moment of hilarity with Morris senior that the whole team stood in amazement and confusion over.
Both teams had further opportunities to score but it was the home side that managed to capitalise through their short corners. Another two goals scored past Spalding. A solid performance after a season of development.