Report: 2nd XI Men vs Cambridge City 4 – March 01, 2025
On a sunny afternoon Spalding Men’s 2s took another trip out to Cambridge this time facing Cambridge City 4s knowing a win brings them into the mid-table pack with 4 competitive games left, but up against a 4th placed City team they knew they had to be at their best.
City 4s started the game off the game with both teams testing each other for weaknesses with chances and mistakes coming from both teams. Cambridge took the lead with a crash ball from the middle of the pitch deflecting through players and sticks before Cambridge were able to hit the backboard. Not being disuaded Spalding continued building chances until returning captain Arron Borst took a long corner quickly working into the d slipping the ball to Matt Pottle who worked enough space to rocket a strike past the keeper to level up the score. Although an even half City were able to strike twice between Spalding chances to take a 3-1 lead into the break, but both teams still knowing that more goals were abound.
The second half continued like the first. Both teams creating chances. Spalding mostly from a proactive press from the front forcing mistakes from Cambridge, while Cambridge made good effect of their long ball strategy when they could break the press. Within all these chances 4 more goals were scored. Firstly from Spalding through Tim Maltby and some great hold-up play by Olly Roy to create the chance. Cambridge scored on the counter as Spalding pushed for an equaliser putting the score to 4-2 before a goal from Harry Walsh gave Spalding hope before a quick fire reply from Cambridge kept Splading at reach of a 2 goal cushion for the last 10 minutes to hold out as Spalding burnt out trying to push for goals.
The game ended 5-3 to Cambridge with Spalding unfortunately spending too much of the game chasing a goal, but knowing that chances were there and on a different day the points could have come home. 4 remaining games against teams in and around them will prove a thoroughly interesting end to the season if they can keep creating chances like that.