Horncastle 2nds 3 Spalding 5ths 5

Horncastle's fine start to the season came crashing down on Saturday after a lesson in finishing and some interesting umpire decisions saw them the wrong side of a 5-3 defeat.

The team remain top after a much-changed team went behind against the run of play.

The striker was pushed to the by line but still managed to slot a ball passed Gareth Ellershaw.

Within in the next 10 minutes Spalding added two more goals with break aways from Horncastle attacks.

Half time saw the need for the first of this season's strong team talks and a swap of positions to try and break up the spalding play.

The second half began where the first left off end to end but a serious of bizarre decisions from the home umpire began to make the game become more heated. Spalding thought they had scored but after an act of sportsmanship the spading player admitted to heading the ball in to the net.

Horncastle then put together there best hockey of the season with some great play from Elliot Dixon, George Dann and Stuart Scholey which ending up seeing the ball glance past the post.

Horncastle continued to push And Jame Hillsmith scored a great goal taking past four players to slot the ball away.

The second came five minutes later with a great strike from Antonio massingberg and Horncastle where back in the game.

As Horncastle pushed forward to get the third Spalding hit back from another breakaway to make it 4-2.

This only pushed a buoyed Horncastle more and from a short corner Chris kime pulled the lead back to one goal.

Spalding where given a penalty after a dangoruous ball was flicked up and hit Captain Mitchell on the chest.

After a long discussion about safety the umpire gave the penalty which Ellershaw saved.

With the push for the fourth, Horncastle went for broke and Spalding scored there fifth which finished the Horncatle team off.

The real bright performance was a stunning display by Sam Bradley at Left back which earned him the man of the match

Next week Horncastle are at home against Alford 2nds and looking to get back on track.