Saturday was a potentially pivotal day in the East Men’s Hockey League Division 4NW title race as Spalding 2nd put themselves into a strong position at the top.
With leaders and fellow club side Spalding 3rd only able to draw 0-0 at mid-table COP 6th, Spalding 2nd thrashed COP 7th 6-0 at Glen Park to move two points clear at the summit with a game in hand.
Darren Grooby squared for James Stone to poke home their opener, before Tom Mayhew deflected home a Joe Rogers shot to double the lead.
Mayhew then claimed his second from close range after the break, before COP had a player yellow carded and fell apart a little.
Although Grooby was green carded too, the numerical advantage allowed Rogers to smash home a fourth, while Daniel Adams and an own goal rounded off the rout.
With five games left – including a date with Spalding 3rd – the 2nd side are now favourites for the title.
Up in Premier B, Spalding 1st slipped to another disappointing defeat as Harleston Magpies 2nd became the latest struggling side to defeat them.
Glenn Richardson had given them a half-time lead, but four second-half goals from the Magpies further dented Spalding’s promotion hopes.
Down in Division 5NW, Long Sutton 3rd enjoyed a 5-1 win over Spalding 4th.
Ian White successfully converted a short corner through the goalkeeper’s legs to put Sutton ahead, but Spalding hit back to level before half time.
It was one-way traffic after the break, with Sutton firing four unanswered goals through. Gary Hales started the rout, before a hat-trick from man-of-the-match Luke Proctor ensured Sutton moved seven points clear of their South Holland rivals in the standings.
Elsewhere, a superb team performance from Spalding 5th saw them consolidate second place in Division 6NW (N) with a 2-0 triumph over Louth 2nd.
Alex Cunnington’s strike and a fine Darren Willson goal secured the points.
In the same division, Long Sutton 4th picked up a fine 1-1 draw against leaders Horncastle 2nd.
With five 13-year-olds in their side, Jon Goodley’s goal saw Sutton lead all the way up until the final two minutes.
- A superb second-half comeback saw Long Sutton ladies’ 2nd beat Alford 2nd 3-2 in East Women’s Hockey League Division 4NW (N) on Saturday.
Trailing 2-0 at the interval, strikes from Amber Jones (2) and Lisa Baker gave Sutton a battling victory.
The only other South Holland side in action were Spalding Poachers 3rd in Division 3NW.
They are, however, still looking for a first win of the season following a 3-2 defeat against Huntingdon 1st. Emma Gent got both goals.
