Spalding Hockey Club’s leading side are back on top of East Men’s League Division One after cruising to a 5-0 victory over Old Southendians on Saturday.
A spectacular reverse stick strike from Stuart Cunnington put them ahead, before Connor Allen and Russ Watts got in on the act before the half-time interval.
Early goals from Ashley Barker and Allen made the game safe in the second period – and with Chelmsford conceding a rearranged game that was rescheduled for Sunday – Spalding moved a point clear at the top.
There was a vital victory for Long Sutton 1st in Premier B, as they saw off fellow strugglers Harleston Magpies 2nd 3-1. Danny Sisson’s strike ensured that it was 1-1 at the break, before the same player pounced to fire number two from a short corner.
A late Otto Esse strike then sealed what is only a fourth league success of the season for Sutton’s top men’s team.
In Division 3NW, struggling Spalding 2nd were handed a 4-1 reverse in their relegation battle at Bourne/Deeping 2nd. Having fallen behind, Spalding did level though Richard McKenna before half time – only to see the effort ruled out.
Joe Higgins did eventually equalise for Spalding in the second period, but three converted short corners gave Bourne/Deeping the points.
In the same division, relegation-threatened Long Sutton 2nd were also on the receiving end of a defeat.
They fell 3-0 down at league leaders Cambs Nomads – although that half-time score was an absolute travesty. Alex Canham clinically finished a sublime pass from strike partner Ben Shore to pull one back after the break, but the loss still proved tough to take.
High-flying Spalding 3rd enjoyed another fine day in Division 4NW, as they drubbed COP 7th 8-0 to stay in the hunt for promotion.
Rob Tilbrook scored three goals from short-corner drag flicks, while Darren Grooby (2), Tom Shinkins (2) and Matt Day also go in on the act in what was a top team performance.
Meanwhile, promotion-chasing Spalding 4th suffered a costly 2-1 loss at lowly Cambs South 4th. Trailing 2-0 at half time, David Dorey’s second-half effort failed to spark a comeback.
In the same division, Long Sutton 3rd went down 4-0 against Bourne/Deeping 4th and stay just outside the drop zone.
There was better news for Long Sutton 4th in Division 6NW (N), as they saw off COP 9th 3-0. Gary Hales and John Goodley (2) notched to give Sutton their sixth win of the campaign.
Spalding 5th, meanwhile, had two games over the weekend. They started with a 1-0 win over Leadenham 2nd on Saturday, with James Reston the scorer.
They made it six wins in a row ahead of Sunday’s clash with COP 9th, but they were edged out 1-0.
- Table-topping Spalding Poachers 1st are still sitting pretty in East Women’s League Division 2NW after crushing Bourne/Deeping ladies’ 1st 8-3. Kelly Tuplin (2), Georgina Maplethorpe (2), Claire Hindmarsh, Kelly Slater, Katie Gray and Jacqui Hunter got the goals.
Long Sutton ladies 1st, however, lost vital ground in the 2NW promotion race after going down 4-2 against Alford ladies’ 1st. Lisa Baker got both of Sutton’s goals.
Down in Division 3NW (N), Spalding Poachers 2nd picked up a 4-1 victory over Woodhall Spa ladies’ 1st. Alanna ‘AJ’ Bunyan struck twice to help seal the success.
Also on winning form in 3NW (N) were Spalding Poachers 3rd, who defeated Lincoln ladies’ 3rd 4-1 thanks to strikes from Helen Jex (2), Ellie Pybus – her first for the team – and Evie Maltby.
- Long Sutton 2nd are out of the England Hockey Plate after an 11-1 loss at Bedford 2nd. Harry Synott scored Sutton’s consolation.
