Report: 4th XI Men vs Wisbech Town 4s – November 08, 2025

Spalding Fourths entertained their counterparts from Wisbech looking to move on from the heavy defeat sustained last week. And they did so in style against a side that was vastly changed from the side that they had played the prior season.

Spalding started strongly and took the lead within the first five minutes of the game. The ball fell nicely to Tom Eve in the D during a short corner routine and he confidently found the corner of the goal to give the hosts the best possible start.

The home side were playing some superb flowing hockey and this led to the second goal after fine play by Ed Sly, Isaac Davison and James Giles saw another short corner being awarded. And again, Tom Eve found the goal and Spalding were two goals to the good.

It got even better for the home side when Andy Barlow picked up a loose pass, ran into the D and crossed to debutant Will Clark for the Spalding youngster to score his first league senior goal with a simple tap in at the far post to give the hosts a three-goal cushion.

Credit to Wisbech, they never gave up and forced a couple of short corners of their own but Spalding were defensively strong and kept the shots at bay.

Spalding suffered a bit of a blow with James Giles being forced off for preventative measures following the start of the second half, however the home side kept their shape well and kept the momentum going. Tom Eve followed up a short corner shot from Andy Barlow that was well saved the young Wisbech goalkeeper with an unstoppable finish for his hat-trick and the three points looked to be on the cards.

In a repeat of Will Clarke’s first goal, Andy Barlow again drove forward into the D following some neat work by the Spalding midfield this time finding the Spalding youngster who got enough on the ball to deflect it past the oncoming goalkeeper for Spalding’s fifth and his second of the game.

Spalding hit their sixth of the game when Tom Eve converted for his fourth of the game. It could have been seven but Isaac Davisons last minute effort was correctly ruled out for a prior foul preventing his first ever senior league goal.

Overall, a comfortable performance with Steve Thurlbourne in goal having not much to do. James Morris, James Booth & Sam Willerton were comfortable in defence with Sam Hicks & the improving Martins Pavlovics having good games on the flanks of midfield.

Thanks go to Tom Pilgrim & Callum Fravigar for umpiring.

Spalding’s next game is another tough assignment, away at Bourne Deeping 3rds who had beaten Spalding 3rds in a pre-season friendly and sit fourth in the league table.