Spalding 1st breezed into the second round of the England Hockey Men’s Trophy with a crushing 5-0 win over rivals Long Sutton 1st on Sunday.
Master marksman Stuart Cunnington dispatched two short corners to put visitors Spalding 2-0 up at half time, before Dan Needham punished a Sutton error to make it three after the break.
Cunnington finished another short to complete his hat-trick at the Peele Leisure Centre, then set-up Josh Rowbottom for number five.
Spalding now face another away tie against March 1st on November 15.
The win made up for Spalding’s first defeat of the East Men’s League season on Saturday, as they crashed 8-2 at Norwich 1st in Premier B. Rob Dalton and Needham grabbed the consolation goals.
In the same division, Long Sutton 1st earned a decent 1-1 draw with Saffron Waldon 1st.
They went ahead through an unlikely source, as captain Ashley Taylor linked well with Danny Sisson – racing 80 yards forward to finish on his reverse stick.
However, they were pegged back before half time and that’s how it finished.
In Division 4NW, Spalding 3rd made it a perfect five wins from as many games with a super 7-0 win at St Ives 3rd.
Chris McKenna scored an incredible double hat-trick for leaders Spalding as they hit seven for the second week on the spin, while Thomas Mayhew rounded off the rout.
In the same division, Spalding 2nd were handed a 6-3 reverse by high-flying Leadenham.
Glenn Perkins had given Spalding an early lead, but – despite a Sam Sly effort – they trailed 3-2 at the break.
The score moved on to 4-3 as the sides exchanged goals (Matt Day got Spalding’s) before two more away goals sealed the result.
Down in Division 5NW, Long Sutton 3rd eased to a 5-1 victory over Cambs South 4th thanks to goals from Adam Sisson (2), Luke Proctor, Gary Hales and Jeremy Smith.
In the same division, Spalding 4th were seen off 4-0 by St Neots 2nd.
Meanwhile, Long Sutton 4th are now second in Division 6NW (N) after a 4-3 win over Louth 2nd.
Will Taylor (2), Matt Portass and James Baker delivered the vital goals, while keeper Brad Whitmore made a fine penalty flick save.
It wasn’t such a great afternoon for divisional rivals Spalding 5th, though. They were humbled 10-1 by Leadenham 2nd, Cameron Ibrahim the sole scorer.
- Spalding Poachers 1st bagged their first point of the East Women’s League Division 1N season after drawing 2-2 with Letchworth 1st. Amy Wells got both home goals at Glen Park.
In Division 2NW, Long Sutton ladies 1st earned a 2-0 success over Wisbech 2nd thanks to strikes from Lyn Tancred and skipper Leanne Woodhead.
Down in Division 3NW, Spalding Poachers 2nd got off the mark in style with a 7-0 victory over Newmarket 2nd.
Eva Keyes (2), Charlotte Morris, Annie Price, Lucy Simpson, Kelly Varley and Charlotte Maplethorpe all netted.
However, Spalding Poachers 3rd lost 9-1 at Ely 1st despite Ellie Holland’s goal.
