Stuart Cunnington’s deflected late winner earned Spalding Hockey Club’s leading men a 2-1 win at Crostyx on Saturday – and clinched impressive back-to-back league titles.
Already promoted from East Men’s League Division One ahead of the trip to the Olympic Park, Spalding knew that a win would be good enough to see them lift the championship.
However, their plans were plunged into chaos as one car ended up at Wembley… and Spalding were forced to start with just nine men.
They held firm for the opening 25 minutes to keep it goalless before being returned to their full complement.
They went 1-0 ahead after the break when Cunnington dispatched a short corner into the bottom corner, but disaster struck seven minutes from time when the already-relegated hosts levelled.
However, Cunnington lashed another short corner towards goal late on – and it found the net via what looked like the knee of a home player.
Crostyx saw two players sin-binned for dissent as they strongly appealed the goal, but Spalding held firm to seal a memorable title triumph.
They now look forward to life in Premier B next season, having reached their target a year ahead of schedule.
It wasn’t such a great day for Spalding 2nd, however, as they went down 4-2 against St Neots to remain perilously close to the Division 3NW trapdoor.
A Glenn Perkins double at Glen Park saw them level at 2-2 in what was essentially a must-win penultimate game of the season.
Two second-half strikes from the visitors leave Spalding requiring a win at already-promoted Cambs City 4th this Saturday – and other results to go their way – if they are to avoid relegation.
In the same division, Long Sutton 2nd are now safe from the drop despite an 8-1 thumping against the above-mentioned City 4th side.
It wasn’t a great performance from the Sutton lads, with the consolation goal coming from Luke Jackson.
But having won promotion last season, Sutton will hope to fare much better next time around.
In Division 4NW, Spalding 3rd were handed a 3-0 defeat at champions Horncastle in their penultimate game of the campaign. They will finish third, just outside the promotion places.
Spalding 4th, meanwhile, completed their Division 5NW season with a 4-1 home success against St Ives 4th at Glen Park. They finish fifth.
In the same division, Long Sutton 3rd were handed a 5-0 reverse by champions Leadenham and will end up eighth regardless of their result this weekend.
There was better news for Long Sutton 4th in Division 6NW (N), though, as they beat Louth 2nd 2-0 to record only a seventh success of the campaign. John Goodley and Gary Hales notched.
- Champions Spalding Poachers 1st signed off their stunning East Women’s League Division 2NW campaign in typical fashion as they thrashed Pelicans ladies’ 1st 6-3 on Saturday.
Katie Gray led the way with a hat-trick, while Karen Timby, Steph Wilson and Jacqui Hunter also popped up with goals to make it 20 wins from 22 league games for the purring Poachers.
The Spalding girls now begin preparations for life in Division 1N next season.
Below them, Long Sutton ladies’ 1st finished up in a fine third place in 2NW – and they ended their campaign with a 3-0 derby victory over Wisbech 2nd.
Leanne Woodhead’s double and Robyn Gribble ensured that Sutton collected a 15th league win.
Down in Division 3NW (N), Spalding Poachers 2nd won 4-0 at Spilsby Ladies’ 2nd to complete their impressive year in second spot.
Charlotte Morris, Helen Jex (2) and Lauren Harvey grabbed the goals as Spalding finish eight points off the champions and ten clear of third place.
Also placing well are Spalding 3rd, who beat Louth 2nd 3-0 to clinch fifth spot.
Evie Maltby (2) and Karen Thorold were the Poachers’ match-winners.
Long Sutton ladies’ 2nd couldn’t end their 3NW (N) season on a high, though.
They lost 4-0 against Leadenham ladies’ 1st and will either place seventh or eighth.
