The 5ths travelled to Cambridgeshire to take on St Ives for a game that saw the travelling side come back with deserved plaudits for the way that they played in a tough and challenging game.
Travelling with twelve, Spalding started the game under the back foot with intense St Ives pressure with some very good play by the home side however the Spalding side held firm and then started to get into the game as time progressed. With the game being played mostly in midfield, there were few chances for each side however James B in goal was forced to clear the ball several times as St Ives probed to find an opportunity to get the ball in the back of the net.
Spalding’s cause wasn’t helped when Andy had to leave the pitch with an injury leaving the away side having to play the rest of the game without substitutes and with eight of the ten outfield players being aged twelve or thirteen, it was a big ask against a similar side in St Ives but who had a couple more senior players. And to the young players credit, they battled away and showed just how well they have worked and have been coached as they produced a stunning performance and raised their game against a similar excellent St Ives side.
Harry and Will in attack, were unlucky not to score after putting the ball wide of the post after both being in excellent positions following some brilliant interplay involving Jake, acting captain James M, Isaac, Freddie and Dylan as the ball was moved quickly and efficiently. The back trio of Alex, Kev and Sam were solid making some fantastic tackles and passes afterwards to nullify any attack as Spaldings self belief and confidence increased.
And it was another swift attack that involved Jack, Freddie and Dylan that led to an award of a short corner at the end of the first half. Will’s sharp pass out to Dylan was the key here as Dylan took a decent touch, hit a fierce ball back to goal that Will, lurking at the back post unmarked, deflected in to give the travelling side the lead and a huge moral boost to go into half-time.
The second half, saw St Ives up their game and put Spalding under immense credit and with a lack of available substitutes, all eleven outfield players rolled up their sleeves and worked their collective socks off and played some scintallating hockey at times that was both pleasing to watch and also extremely effective. James B in goal was far more busier and made some key saves from some great play despite the brilliant efforts of Alex, Kev and MOM Sam who stopped at least 95% of the attacks. The two youngsters, at the back, Sam and Alex probably had their best games for the fifths, if not the season with some key tackles and interceptions with some really good passing out of defence,
The midfield of James M, Dylan, Freddie and Isaac with help from Jake and Will also kept strong and started to really develop an understanding. And this understanding led to Spalding’s second goal and final goal of the day for each side. Some quick thinking from the back found Dylan in space. He then drove forward and played a superb ball to Harry (who hadn’t stopped running into space for the ball and was putting the defence under constant pressure). Harry’s initial shot was saved by the St Ives keeper but the ball fell to Will who calmly placed the ball home to give Spalding a bit of breathing space and was just rewards for an excellent move.
St Ives, to their credit kept going and created some more chances but a mixture of fantastic defending, pressure causing mistakes and in all honesty, a bit of luck saw Spalding hold out for a very good win.
Considering that this was just their fourth game together as a group, the improvement of the side is extremely promising and they have played some very good sides. The new challenge for the team, is to keep this consistency going into 2025, keep this unbeaten run going and keep improving. And there is no reason why they can’t do this.
A huge thank you goes to St Ives for their superb hospitality, in the way that the game was played in excellent spirits and the support given and to both umpires, one from St Ives and Eddy who came down to support. All being well, Spalding will play St Ives again and it is sure to prove to be another excellent spectacle.