Report: 1st XI Men vs Cambridge University 2 – November 09, 2024

Match report – Spalding XI vs Cambridge University 2nd XI

We travelled to play Cambridge University 2nd XI this weekend, fresh off the PTSD from facing their 1st XI a fortnight ago. Although we only had 13 players with us this week, we were hungry and going for our first 3 points of the season. 

The game started at a high pace, unfortunately in the wrong direction, with the opposition going up 2-0.

Injury was added to insult with 13 players soon becoming 12. Hector Moore, who was playing his first league match for Spalding in over 10 years, decided that he’d had enough after about 10 minutes of play, injuring his knee and ruling him out for the rest of the match. Get well soon son. 

Needless to say it seemed like this is what the team needed, with a well converted penalty corner from the stick of Stuart Cunnington taking us to 2-1. 

Our comeback however was swiftly halted by another 2 goals from Cambridge, taking the scoreline to 4-1 down at half time. 

Going into the second half, we headed out to try and turn the tide, however Cambridge’s efficiency at penalty corners saw them push a further 2 goals ahead at 6-1 on the board. 

Spalding kept on fighting until the end leaving it all out there on the pitch, with a lovely deflected finish by Will Baker from a Stuart Cunnington delivery finding the back of the net in the last throws of the match. 

Onwards and upwards to next week where we will face a similarly struggling St Ives and go again for our first win of the season. 

**Final Score: Cambridge University 2nd XI 6 – 2 Spalding XI**

MOTM – James Grant

DOTD – Hector Moore