Spalding Hockey Club’s top men’s team announced themselves in East League Division One with an impressive 4-1 victory over Colchester 1st on Saturday.
Having lost their opener, Spalding started the Surfleet clash in fine form thanks to a strike from goal machine Stuart Cunnington, who lashed into the roof of the net.
It was 1-1 at the interval, though, with Colchester levelling after Spalding failed to clear their lines.
The second half belonged to the home side, with Rob Dalton firing them back ahead with a strike that went through the keeper’s legs.
Man-of-the-match Will Baker then finished off Connor Allen’s cross, before skipper Josh Rowbottom smashed home into the bottom corner to seal the win.
It was the opposite for Spalding 2nd, who suffered a 3-2 loss at City Of Peterborough 5th in Division 3NW.
Having been the area’s top performers on the opening weekend of the season, they succumbed to a late goal against the city side.
Spalding’s second string went ahead when James Doolan found Richard McKenna and he slotted home.
Peterborough turned the game around with two goals in the second period, but Joe Higgins was on hand to level with a deflected effort from Doolan’s short corner.
However, a late winner left Spalding reeling as they suffered a first loss of the season.
In Division 4NW, Spalding 3rd grabbed their first win of the season by seeing off City of Peterborough 6th 3-1.
They fell behind, but within five minutes Darren Grooby levelled with a calm flick.
Ten minutes into the second half Spalding were ahead when Steve Rogers’ cross was deflected in by a COP defender.
Glen Perkins then smashed in one of his rocket shots from the top of the D to wrap up the points.
There was derby delight for Spalding 4th in Division 5NW, as they defeated hosts Long Sutton 3rd 5-2.
Mark Smith-Hughes and Dom Ibrahim were on target to put Spalding 2-0 ahead, but Sutton soon hit back.
Andy Stone restored their two-goal cushion early in the second period, only for Sutton to hit back again to make it 3-2.
Undeterred, Spalding went on to secure their first three points of the season with further goals by Ibrahim and Andy Barlow.
Down in Division 6NW (N), Spalding 5th are still looking for their first victory of the season after being held 1-1 by City Of Peterborough 9th.
David Dorey-Rodriguez did put the hard-working Spalding side ahead, but COP equalised from a short corner mid-way through the second half.
- What a difference a week has made for Long Sutton 2nd in East Men’s League Division 3NW.
Just seven days after being humbled 6-0 by St Neots 1st, they bounced back to see off rivals Wisbech 2nd 4-3 at the Peele Leisure Centre.
Otto Esse and Alex Canham combined superbly to supply Gary Hales with the opener within two minutes, only for Wisbech to level the scores at 1-1 before the break.
Hales hit back to bag his second soon after the break, but once again Wisbech replied instantly to make it 2-2.
That man Hales duly claimed his hat-trick as Sutton got their noses ahead again, only to watch the visitors go up the pitch and equalise once again.
There was still time for Esse to deliver a devastating pass for Ross Gavaghan to fire home his first goal for the team and seal a memorable win.
Up in Premier B, the area’s top ranked side – Long Sutton 1st – were handed a 4-2 reverse at Saffron Walden 1st.
Having fallen behind early on, Josh Fyson found Will Cook in the D – and he calmly slotted home.
They trailed 2-1 at half time as the hosts hit straight back, but Sutton levelled early in the second period when Fyson’s cross-shot took a wicked deflection and rolled into the goal.
That was as good as it got, though, as a wonderful solo goal put Walden 3-2 up before they added a short corner fourth to conclude the scoring.
In Division 5NW, Long Sutton 3rd suffered derby dismay against rivals Spalding 4th as they slipped to a second defeat of the season.
Jack Smith and Calvin Bishop both bagged impressive goals for Sutton, but Spalding, who proved more committed and determined, deserved their win.
Down in Division 6NW (N), Long Sutton 4th were beaten for the first time this season.
They went down 4-0 against a very well drilled Leadenham 2nd side.
It was a very youthful Sutton side, with the second most experienced outfield player being the returning Dan Fisher, who has a mere four years of hockey under his belt.
Despite strong showings from Kane Portass, Kieran Portass and man-of-the-match Pavel Saponenk, Leadenham were just too strong.
Saturday’s fixtures
East Men’s League: Premier B – Long Sutton 1st v Cambridge Uni 2nd (1pm).
D1 – Pelicans 1st v Spalding 1 (3pm).
3NW – Spalding 2nd v Cambs Nomads 1st (12.30pm); Long Sutton 2nd v St Ives 2 (2.30pm).
4NW – Cambs Nomads 2nd v Spalding 3rd (12.30pm).
5NW – St Ives 4th v Long Sutton 3rd (3.30pm); Spalding 4th v March Town 2nd (3.30pm).
6NW (N) – Bourne Deeping 5th v Spalding 5th (3.30pm); Grantham 1st v Long Sutton 4th (2pm).
