Survival in East Men’s Hockey League Division A now looks like a long shot for Spalding 1st after they were defeated 4-2 at fellow strugglers Saffron Walden on Saturday.
Joe Rogers fired Spalding ahead after five minutes with a great short corner strike, but two soft goals were conceded before the half-time break to give the home side the advantage.
Spalding did have more possession and the lion’s share of chances in the first half, though, giving them hope of a positive second period.
However, the second half was the worst performance from the team this season as they failed to find any rhythm, fight or determination and were left dumb-struck conceding two more goals.
Glenn Richardson scored a consolation goal with three minutes to go, but the damage had been done and Spalding – who have no game this weekend – are now five points adrift of fellow relegation candidates Ipswich and Letchworth after seeing their winless run reach ten games.
In 3NW, struggling Spalding 3rd were handed a 9-0 reverse at table-topping Cambridge City 4th and stay at the foot.
Elsewhere, Long Sutton 2nd are fourth in Division 4NW after picking up a 2-2 draw at fellow high-fliers St Ives 2nd.
Sutton twice led through Ben Smith strikes, but were cruelly pegged back by an equaliser scored in the dying seconds.
In Division 5NW, Spalding 4th are just two points behind each of the three teams above them after a thumping 8-0 success over St Neots 4th. It was only 1-0 at half-time as Jeremy Watt thumped home the opener just before the break.
Darren Willson started the second half goal spree with a neatly deflected shot and Matt Wingate added a third shortly afterwards. The floodgates opened as Spalding added a further five goals from Watt, Willson, Kieren Scholes, Ben Scholes and Tom Mayhew in a 15 minute purple patch.
There was a derby in Division 6NW (N), as Long Sutton 3rd got the better of Spalding 5th 1-0.
John Sullivan’s strike separated the sides and sees Sutton leapfrog their South Holland rivals into second place in the league.
In the same division, Spalding 6th were handed a 3-1 home reverse by Leadenham 3rd. Deane Baker’s goal was their consolation.
- The East Women’s Hockey League derby between Spalding Poachers 1st and Long Sutton 1st served up a 1-1 draw at the Peele Leisure Centre on Saturday.
Spalding started well and were rewarded when a short corner from Karen Timby was fired into the D and finished off by Macy Carr.
After the break it was Sutton who threw everything they had at the Poachers and they finally levelled through Lyn Tancred.
Sutton are now fourth, with Spalding sixth.
Down in Division 3NW, Spalding Poachers 2nd suffered a 6-3 home defeat against March Town 1st.
Codie O’Leary, Alanna “AJ” Bunyan and Sam Foston got their goals, but they ultimately counted for very little.
