An agonising 3-2 defeat saw Spalding 3rd miss out on promotion from East Men’s Hockey League Division 4NW on Saturday.
Spalding knew that a point against Leadenham – the only side who could deny them second place – would be enough for them to clinch second place in the table.
But it wasn’t to be, with the visitors edging to a 3-2 victory at Glen Park and joining champions Spalding 2nd in Division 3NW next season.
Most of the damage was done in the first 15 minutes, as Leadenham raced into a 2-0 lead with Spalding struggling to get on the ball.
They soon got a foothold in the game, though, thanks to the experience of Ed Sly and the hard work of Tim Maltby, Harry Bettinson and Richard Hayter, who broke down the Leadenham midfield.
Spalding soon had their reward for the hard work when Chris McKenna slotted home to reduce the deficit.
The second half started with Spalding on the front foot, but the away side went 3-2 up when Tim Maltby tried to block a shot and it deflected over keeper Nathan Davy.
A neat finish from McKenna on his reverse made it 3-2, but Spalding couldn’t find a leveller and had to settle for third place – having bagged an amazing 97 goals.
In the same division, champions Spalding 2nd romped to a 5-1 victory at Cambridge City 5th. Darren Grooby (2), Peter Wright (2) and Glenn Perkins fired them to a 15th win on the bounce.
Up in Premier B, Long Sutton 1st were beaten 4-2 at champions Letchworth to all but confirm their relegation as basement boys.
Pending an administration matter and a favourable points adjustment which penalises a club finishing above them for allegedly flaunting player registration law, they will play next season in Division 1N.
Spalding 1st fared much better in Premier B in what was their first-ever campaign at that level.
They had already clinched fifth place ahead of a 5-1 loss at Ipswich and East Suffolk 1st.
Talisman Stuart Cunnington got the sole Spalding goal.
In Division 3NW, Long Sutton 2nd finished two points above the drop zone after a 4-3 home defeat against Bourne Deeping 2nd.
Down in Division 5NW, Spalding 4th completed their season with a 5-0 walkover win over Cambridge City 6th, while Long Sutton 3rd walloped basement boys Wisbech 4th 11-0. They both finish in the top eight.
- Saturday proved a bit of a day to forget for Spalding’s three sides in the East Women’s Hockey League.
In Division 1N, Spalding Poachers 1st gave a good account of themselves against Norwich Dragons before going down 3-0 at Glen Park.
The already-relegated Poachers finish their campaign at Royston on April 2.
In Division 3NW, Spalding 2nd completed their campaign with a 1-0 defeat at champions Cambridge Uni 3rd. Sally Pilgrim was player of the match.
Relegated Spalding 3rd suffered an 11-0 beating against Cambridge South to complete a winless season.
In Division 2NW, Long Sutton ladies’ 1st were beaten 4-2 by CoP 2nd.
