Report: 1st XI Men vs Newmarket 1s – October 18, 2025

Newmarket 1s 1 – 5 Spalding 1s 

Under a gloomy, autumnal sky, Spalding Men’s 1s travelled to Newmarket for a fixture played on a dry, sandy pitch that slowed the pace of play — but didn’t stop Spalding from delivering a dominant performance.

Spalding started strong, immediately taking control of possession and territory. Newmarket responded by pulling back deep — the drawbridges firmly up as they looked to defend in numbers and frustrate from the outset.

Spalding continued to lay siege to the Newmarket D, moving the ball with patience and precision. The breakthrough came in the 19th minute when David Dorey found Dan Azzopardi at the back post to tap in the opener.

A contentious green card followed shortly after a minor incident, but Spalding held firm with ten men and denied Newmarket any advantage. Back to full strength, they pushed forward once more, and in the 25th minute Will Wright slotted home to make it 2-0.

Just before the break, a rare lapse saw Newmarket win a short corner, which they converted in the 32nd minute — trimming the lead to 2-1 as the sides headed into the half-time break.

At half-time, Sam Howitt delivered a calm but clear message: raise the level, control the game, and take the points home.

That message landed.

Just five minutes into the second half, Stuart Cunnington threaded a ball through to Dan Azzopardi, who grabbed his second of the game with a composed finish.

As tensions grew, a Spalding player was shoved in a brief scuffle but ended up receiving the card themselves — a moment that left many scratching their heads. Nevertheless, Spalding stayed focused and kept control.

Spalding’s fourth came in the 54th minute as Stuart Cunnington lashed a short corner into the right side netting — a shot powerful enough to knock on the gates of Lincoln Castle and ask to be let in.

Then came the final blow: Will Wright unleashed a thunderous reverse-stick strike from the top of the D in the 62nd minute, cannoning the ball off the backboard like a battering ram through castle gates — a goal that put the game well beyond doubt.

The game ended 5-1, with Spalding still unbeaten and top of the table. Special mention goes to Phil Callow, who marked his 50th birthday with a strong and composed performance at the back.

Another confident away win, and another statement made in Spalding’s push for the title.

Man of the match – Will Wright!