Spalding 1st secured their first win of the new East Men’s Hockey League Premier B season as they beat Blueharts 1st 2-1 on Saturday.
It was always likely to be a close clash between two sides that have been promoted and relegated together in each of the past two campaigns.
The away side struck first at Glen Park with a neat counter attack, but Spalding kept their heads high and pummelled the Blueharts defence with an abundance of attacks before skipper Stuart Cunnington finally levelled from a short corner.
They continued to pile on the pressure after the break and took the lead when Glen Richardson calmly slotted home a penalty stroke.
Spalding will look to extend their winning form at the Olympic Park in Lee Valley on Saturday when they take on Wapping.
Down in Division 2N, Long Sutton 1st picked up a 2-2 draw at Norwich City 3rd.
Sam Markille and man-of-the-match Jacob Synnott grabbed the goals for Sutton as they secured a first point of the season.
In Division 4NW, Long Sutton 2nd are top of the early table after an emphatic 4-1 victory over Cambridge City 5th. Josh Fyson netted twice for the table-toppers, with Luke Proctor and Tyler Hagan also on the mark.
Two points behind them are Spalding 3rd, who kept their unbeaten record going by drawing 1-1 with club mates Spalding 2nd.
Meanwhile, Spalding 4th suffered their first defeat on the Division 5NW season as they were handed a 5-2 reverse by hosts Cambridge South 4th.
Down another level to Division 6NW (N), Long Sutton 3rd were beaten for the first time this season as hosts Louth 2nd prevailed 3-0 despite Adam Sisson’s man-of-the-match showing.
In the same division, Spalding 5th were beaten 4-0 by Bourne Deeping 5th despite a supreme performance from Aaron Scholes.
- Long Sutton ladies’ 1st got the better of a seven-goal thriller to register their maiden success of the new East Women’s Hockey League season on Saturday.
They defeated Alford and District 1st 4-3 at the Peele Leisure Centre, with Emmy Gittins (2), Connie Gittins and Amber Jones grabbing the crucial goals.
Jones’ strike was a dramatic late winner as she helped Jo Bland’s strike over the line to clinch the points.
The Gittins duo shared the player of the match prize.
In the same division, there was a 2-1 defeat for Spalding Poachers 1st at Newmarket 1st. Emma Gent got the only goal for Spalding, while Claire Hindmarsh put in a fantastic display of skilful hockey to take the star player award.
Spalding will seek their first win of the season at Cambs Nomads this Saturday.
Elsewhere, Spalding Poachers 2nd suffered a 3-0 Glen Park defeat against Horncastle 1st in Division 3NW. Although keeper Abgail Hodgett put in a stellar showing, she couldn’t keep the visitors at bay and Spalding were unable to capitalise on opportunities at the other end.
Down in Division 4NW, Spalding Poachers 3rd went down 1-0 at Horncastle 2nd in a game that saw Sophie Smith shine. Sutton 2nd lost 3-0 at Leadenham 1st in the same division.
