Report: 4th XI Men vs Cambs South 5s – October 18, 2025

Spalding Fourths picked up their second win of the season against promoted Cambridge South 5ths in a high-scoring eight goal thriller that could have gone either way.

Following an enforced week off the prior Saturday, Spalding started off well but were behind after an early short corner was converted after the initial shot had cannoned off the post. Steve Thurlbourne in goal had no chance after the ball fell perfectly to a Cambridge forward who made no mistake with the rebound.

Spalding rolled up their sleeves and after several short corners of their own, equalised in a comparable manner when Henry Gibbons powerful shot beat the Cambridge goalkeeper from another short corner routine and the home side were level after 15 minutes of the game had elapsed.

Spalding now were starting to play some good hockey however Cambridge were proving to be dangerous on the break. However defensively in the first half they were strong overall with Sam Hicks, James Booth, James Morris & James Giles keeping the visitors out.

And this defensive work allowed Spalding to keep pressure on the Cambridge side, and they took the lead with another short corner. This time Andy Barlow found the bottom right hand goal with a precision strike after 22 minutes and Spalding were ahead in the match. It got even better for the home side when Andy Barlow swept home from Dave Burrell’s inch perfect pass for his second of the game, and Spalding’s third following yet another short corner routine to leave the Glen Park based side two goals ahead at the break.

It just took two minutes for Spalding to add their fourth and it was a fantastic move from the hosts. The youngest player of both sides, Isaac Davison worked with Henry Gibbons & Willem Borst before Henry’s pass found Clive Sheridan. His run into the D saw the ball slipped to Matthew Hicks who made no mistake and Spalding had a 4-1 lead.

You would, of course, think that was that but Spalding switched off for a brief period and the visitors came strongly back into the game with a two-goal burst. The warning was on the wall after Sam Hicks had blocked a goal bound shot with the perfect intercept.

But South got themselves into the game after another set piece short corner was well converted. Hope was restored after James Booth had an Anna Pavlova moment and slipped at the crucial moment to allow a South player to beat Steve Thurlbourne in goal.

However, the Spalding player soon redeemed himself with a stunning goal line save. This galvanised the fours and they scored a fifth after Andy Barlow picked up a loose pass, managed to beat three players and then squared the ball past a stranded goalkeeper for Matthew Hicks to tap home and three points were the reward for a pretty good display.

The junior of Spalding again showed their merit with Matthew Dorsett showing a substantial number of superb touches with great passing. Also Fred Neal showed yet again great understanding of the game with an excellent performance.

Spalding host Pelicans 4s of Kings Lynn at home next week that will be a tough game for the Division 5NW side.

Thanks go to Sally Pilgrim & Rob Callaby for umpiring who both did an excellent job.