It looks like a third-successive promotion is now beyond Spalding 1st after they suffered a 3-1 defeat to East Men’s Hockey League Premier B rivals Waltham Forest 1st on Saturday.
Having performed admirably in their first-ever season at this level, Spalding’s Glen Park reverse – their fourth loss on the bounce – leaves them five points off the top two with three games to play.
Goals either side of half time saw Spalding’s top team fall 2-0 down, before Joe Higgins gave them hope with a routine finish.
However, a counter-attack goal late on killed off any hopes of a home comeback.
At the other end of Premier B, Long Sutton 1st earned an important 2-0 home win over basement boys Felixstowe 1st to edge further away from the drop zone.
Goals in either half from Ben Shore and Danny Sisson ensure that Sutton’s fate is now in their own hands ahead of their final three matches.
Meanwhile, the all-Spalding battle for Division 4NW ascendancy remains too close to call.
Spalding 2nd remain two points clear at the top after seeing off visitors City Of Peterborough 6th 3-0 to make it 12 wins on the spin.
One more win from their four remaining matches will seal promotion for them after goals from Darren Grooby, Matt Day and Glenn Perkins.
Hot on their heels in second are Spalding 3rd after they walloped Wisbech 3rd 8-0. Tim Maltby (3), Chris McKenna (2), Steve Rogers, Ryan Davy and an own goal eased them home ahead of
Saturday’s meeting of the 2nd and 3rd sides (2pm).
In Division 5NW, Spalding 4th were handed a 2-0 reverse by Alford 1st despite a top showing from keeper Jordan Butcher, while Long Sutton 3rd beat Cambs City 6th 3-1 thanks to goals from Gary Hales (2) and Ian White.
Down in Division 6NW, Spalding 5th lost their crunch game against promotion rivals Leadenham 2nd 7-0 and are now behind them in third.
It was a better day for Long Sutton 4th, who hammered Louth 2nd 8-2. Josh Baker got four of them, while Matt Goodley (2), Jon Goodley and James Baker rounded off the rout.
- The relegation of Spalding Poachers 1st from East Women’s Hockey League Division 1N was confirmed on Saturday after a 3-1 loss at Norwich City 1st.
Down in Division 3NW, Spalding Poachers 2nd drew 1-1 with COP 3rd thanks to Lucy Simpson’s second-half equaliser, while Spalding Poachers 3rd lost 2-0 at March and stay bottom.
