A double hat-trick from Josh Baker fired Long Sutton 2nd to a sensational 11-0 victory over Alford 1st in East Men’s Hockey League Division 4NW on Saturday.
Having suffered a 7-3 derby defeat the previous week, Sutton firmly put that score to bed in their first home game of the season at the Peele Lesiure Centre, with Gary Hales also notching a treble.
Sam Markillie and Will White rounded off the rout to kick-start Sutton’s season.
Up in Premier A, Spalding 1st’s tough start to the season continued with an 8-1 defeat at home to a very strong Bedford 1st side.
Spalding were under the cosh from the off in what was their first-ever home game in their new league.
Bedford showed why they are fancied by many to be in the title mix, taking a 5-0 lead into half-time at Glen Park.
Stuart Cunnington pulled a goal back with a trademark short corner in the second half, but there was never any hope of a comeback.
Spalding visit Cambridge Uni this Saturday (1.30pm).
Down in Division One, Long Sutton 1st slipped to a 7-4 home defeat against Bishops Stortford.
The first of two goals from player-of-the-match Matt Goodley put Sutton ahead, but they soon fell 3-1 down.
Ben Shore returned fire, only for Sutton to go in 5-2 down at the break. Josh Fyson and Goodley netted after the interval, but they were mere consolation goals.
Still looking for their first win of the season, Sutton host Shefford & Sandy on Saturday (1pm).
In Division 3NW, both Spalding 2nd and Spalding 3rd suffered narrow defeats.
The 2nd side went down 1-0 at Leadenham 1st, thanks to a first-half penalty corner strike. With Cameron Ibrahim on-song, Spalding piled on the pressure in the second half but failed to find a leveller.
Spalding 3rd, meanwhile, lost an eight-goal thriller 5-3 at home to March 1st.
Goal machine David Burrell notched to ensure the score was 1-1 at the break, before the same player gave the hosts a 2-1 advantage early in the second period.
However, three March goals – including a disputed penalty flick – put them 4-2 to the good. Burrell completed his treble with a penalty flick of his own, but March wrapped the win up with their fifth and final goal.
In Division 5NW, Spalding 4th earned a fine 2-2 draw at experienced Wisbech 3rd.
Frazer Watt and Shaun Dewing had put them 2-0 up, but that was wiped out by a quick-fire Wisbech double.
Elsewhere, Spalding 5th romped to a 10-0 win over the newly-formed Spalding 6th in Division 6NW (N). The goals came from Jack Martin (3), Andy Barlow (3), Jason Naylor (2) and David Turner (2).
In the same division, Long Sutton 3rd were 3-0 winners at Alford 2nd thanks to strikes from Ian White, Matt King and Tyler Hagan.
- Spalding Poachers 1st continued their unbeaten start to the East Women’s Hockey League Division 2NW season with a 2-2 draw at home to Alford 1st.
Jessica Ball’s first goal for the team ensured it was 1-1 at the break, before Amy Wells put the Poachers 2-1 to the good despite a green card going to skipper Jodie Abraham.
That’s how it stayed until the final minute, with Kelly Tuplin equalising for Alford.
Spalding visit Cambs Uni 2nd this Saturday (noon).
In the same division, Long Sutton ladies’ 1st were 1-0 winners at Pelicans 1st thanks to a strike from player-of-the-match Lyn Tancred. That’s two wins from two for them.
In Division 3NW, Spalding Poachers 2nd were handed a 7-1 reverse by hosts Cambridge City 4th despite Alanna “AJ” Bunyan’s goal.
Also beaten on their travels were Spalding Poachers 1st, who went down 2-1 at City of Peterborough 3rd. Lisa Caesar was their scorer in the Division 4NW showdown.
Also in that division, Long Sutton ladies’ 2nd won 3-0 at Louth 2nd with Heather Ludlam, Sally Hoyles and Alex Petty on-target.
