Report: 1st XI Men vs St Ives 1s – October 25, 2025

Match Report St Ives 1s 2 – 5 Spalding 1s 

Spalding HC started the match with confidence and creativity, quickly finding their rhythm against a determined St Ives side. The early pressure paid off when Dan Azzopardi showed brilliant composure, rounding the keeper and calmly slotting the ball home to set the tone early on.

Momentum was firmly with Spalding, and it wasn’t long before Will Baker doubled the lead, smartly deflecting a driven ball across the D into the back of the net. Then came a moment of improvisation from Will Wright, whose audacious trick shot took a wicked deflection off a defender’s shin pad, wrong-footing the keeper and nestling in the goal to make it 3–0.

St Ives pulled one back from a short corner just before the break, placing the ball neatly into the left corner.

Spalding responded well, restoring control through Stu Cunnington, who fired home a superb drag flick down the left-hand side, brushing just past the keeper’s pads. Shortly after, a moment of overexcitement from Will W saw him sent to the sideline with a green card for a clumsy tackle. Another break in play led to James Grant picking up a five-minute yellow for a late challenge, but Spalding managed the remainder of the half with composure.

Half-time left Spalding with a three-goal lead.

Spalding entered the second half still a man down following the yellow card. Despite the circumstances, Spalding defended well, deflecting the pressure away from goal until a well-orchestrated short corner saw St Ives make the score 4–2. With the pressure on them, Spalding understood that to seal the game, they needed to put another ball in the goal. Showing real fighting spirit, Spalding played some lovely hockey, their quick transitions built bridges across the pitch where others saw barriers, and the pressure around the D held everyone in suspense before Matt Hulme collected a rebound and pushed the ball into an empty goal for 5–2.

With little time left in the game, Spalding kept possession and saw it out for a 5–2 win and three more points.

Man of the Match: Dan A, after a delightful goal and an overall top-tier performance.