Long Sutton 1st pulled off the shock of the weekend in East Men’s Hockey League as they stunned rivals Spalding 1st 5-3 on Saturday.
The South Holland derby win at Glen Park is Sutton’s first over their fierce rivals in three years – and it has done their hopes of beating the drop the power of good.
In contrast, Spalding’s bid for a third-successive promotion now looks a bit more of a long shot despite a terrific treble from talisman Stuart Cunnington.
The hosts took a 1-0 lead at Surfleet thanks to Cunnington’s drag flick from a short corner, but Danny Sisson soon hit back to level.
That was quickly followed by a fine finish from player-of-the-match Fred Whatling after good work from Sisson to give Sutton a surprise 2-1 half-time lead.
Then came a golden period for the visitors as they raced into a wonderful three-goal. Ross Gavaghan, who had one of his best-ever games for Sutton, stole the ball in midfield and set a move in motion that resulted in Whatling kissing the ball into the corner of the net for 3-1.
With Spalding now feeling the heat Sutton won a flick after some erratic defending – and Josh Fyson duly fired home to further extend the lead.
The shell-shocked hosts pulled one back when Cunnington notched another drag from a short corner, but Sisson’s second soon after put the skids on any comeback.
There was still time for Cunnington to wrap up his treble from another short corner, but he was destined to end up on the losing side.
The derby cracker leaves Spalding three points off the top two, while Sutton are now six clear of the bottom three.
Elsewhere, the two red-hot Spalding sides continued their brilliant battle for the Division 4NW crown with an impressive win apiece.
Spalding 3rd, who have played one game more, remain top on goal difference after the 7-3 demolition of Bourne Deeping 3rd.
Tom Shinkins led the way with a hat-trick in this one, while Tim Maltby, Harry Bettinson, Ryan Davy and Ryan Mountney also got in on the scoring act.
It wasn’t as easy as the scoreline suggests, though, with Spalding missing three key men and Bourne Deeping always in the game.
Going blow for blow with them remain Spalding 2nd, who breezed past already-relegated Ely City 2nd 5-0.
The goals came from Glenn Perkins, Thomas Mayhew, Darren Grooby and James Stone, but in truth Spalding never needed to get out of second gear. Goal number three, scored by Grooby, was the highlight of the match following a slick passing move.
Down in Division 5NW, Spalding 4th gave their survival hopes a real boost by winning 6-3 at relegation rivals Wisbech Town 4th.
Darren Wilson’s well-taken opener and Deane Baker’s finish from Ben Carr’s cross gave them an early 2-0 lead.
Baker bagged again to make it 3-0 when he finished off a delivery from debutant Will White before the break, only for Wibsech to score three without reply early in the second period to make it 3-3.
Spalding composed themselves after the comeback and went back ahead through Baker’s hat-trick strike, before Wilson and Alan Charevicus completed the scoring.
They are now four points behind Long Sutton 3rd, who were hammered 5-0 by unbeaten St Neots 2nd.
Kieran Forrest, who stepped up admirably to play at right back, was player of the match for Sutton.
Meanwhile, Spalding 5th are now second in Division 6NW (N) after thrashing Alford 2nd 6-0. A hat-trick by another Cunnington, this time 14-year-old Alex, a brace from Matt Wingate and another neat goal from Max Bland were enough to give Spalding’s youngest team their ninth win in ten games.
