The final game of Spalding HC’s 2024-25 season saw the 5ths travel to Kettering for second time in the season. Played in hot and humid conditions, the side came back to Lincolnshire with a well-deserved win.
Spalding started brightly with the game divided into thirds to give opportunity for water breaks. The movement off the ball and quick-fire passing was excellent despite not playing a game for two months.
And this passing and moving led to the opening goal of the game within ten minutes as Dylan smartly converted a short corner routine after both Matthew and Jake had gone close to give Spalding the lead.
Spalding kept pressing and kept creating chances. Some great saves from the Kettering goalkeeper kept the scoreline at 1-0 as the game went into the first break however the team from back to front can be extremely proud of how they played.
The second third, proved to be similar but the heat started to take effect as Spalding started to slow down after their bright start allowing their hosts into the game. But they kept creating chances with smart hockey.
Isaac had two efforts well saved whilst Fred’s effort to replicate goal of the season for the fours was somehow deflected wide by a stick as his stinging rising short was heading straight for the top left-hand corner of the goal.
Defensively, Spalding were solid with Sam having a great game, Kev commanding the back, James (who had played at sweeper as Dan got his goalkeeping kit on) urging players on and Jake who was forced to go back to right back due to a muscle concern, having an excellent game there.
In the middle of the pitch, Dylan was everywhere with great intercepts and passing letting captain Andy assess what has happening and advise. Alex, who had pushed up, worked well with Isaac on the right and created chances with simple passing and had a very good game. Pete, the other senior on the team was also doing the simple passing, talking to the juniors, and pulling the strings in the centre.
The next goal of the game came to Spalding as they doubled their lead. A fine ball to Cheston saw the Spalding player one on one with the Kettering goalkeeper. He rounded the home custodian and then finished smartly to give a two-goal cushion that was probably deserved on the balance of play.
The home side though pulled a goal back from a short corner of their own, but Spalding held their nerve, still created chances, and came away with a good win to finish the season off well.
All in all, an excellent performance in hot conditions. The one take away lesson is that Spalding need to learn to conserve their energy for games like this as they did start to wilt towards the end of the game but that is a minor thing in the grand scheme of things.
Thanks go to Ed for umpiring who had an excellent game.
Man of the Match: Cheston
Categories: Match Reports