Spalding 1st were denied an East Men’s Hockey League Premier B derby victory at City of Peterborough 2nd by a controversial late strike on Saturday.
The clash ended 2-2 with Spalding having led 2-0, but they were ultimately denied by a questionable late penalty flick awarded for the use of a foot.
Josh Rowbottom slotted home the opening goal for Spalding after a calm pass from Will Baker, which gave them a half-time lead.
Ten minutes into the second half, some smart link-up play and silky skills between George Halgarth and Jacob Baker, Spalding were rewarded with a short corner. Eager to seal the game, a well-rehearsed routine saw Robert Dalton flick the ball into the far top left and out of the keeper’s reach.
With plenty of time still left in the match, Peterborough retaliated strongly and soon caught the away side on the back foot with a goal in the form of a short corner.
With tensions high, Spalding began to allow Peterborough to get the upper hand and were soon punished once again with a short corner which was converted into a penalty stroke after an alleged foot.
Spalding felt unfairly punished as the stroke was scored, and the home side were now level. The game soon drew to an end with a final score of 2-2.
Down in Division 1N, Long Sutton 1st were also held to a 2-2 draw by City of Peterborough 3rd.
Will Taylor and Luke Jackson got the goals for Sutton, with Tom Burton man of the match.
In Division 4NW, Spalding 2nd romped to a huge 9-1 home success over Cambs Nomads 2nd.
Glenn Richardson led the way with a hat-trick, with Peter Wright (2), Richard McKenna (2), George Halgarth and Jacob Baker also getting in on the act.
Spalding 3rd were 3-1 winners at Cambs South 3rd in the same division, with Sullivan Smith, Ben Scholes and Kieran Scholes netting.
Both Spalding sides are looking up at leaders Long Sutton 2nd, though. They beat Kettering 2nd 2-1 thanks to a double from Josh Fyson.
In Division 5NW, Spalding 4th were held to a 3-3 draw by Cambridge City 6th.
Elsewhere, divisional rivals Long Sutton 3rd lost 6-2 against Bourne Deeping 5th despite strikes from Mark Ridington and McKenzie East.
p Spalding Poachers 1st were unable to follow up their first East Women’s Hockey League Division 2N win of the season with a positive result as they crashed 4-1 at Cambs South 1st.
A a well-worked goal from Karen Timby cancelled out a penalty corner opener from the hosts but, despite the best efforts of Donna Chester O’Neill in goal, they fell 2-1 down by half-time.
Spalding defended well in the second half, but two more goals followed for the home team. With Poachers not capitalising on their chances, they went down 4-1.
In the same division, Long Sutton ladies’ 1st were seen off 2-1 by Newmarket 1st despite a goal from player-of-the-match Amber Jones.
It was a tough day for Spalding Poachers second in Division 3NW as they were beaten 4-0 at home by a very strong Saffron Walden 1st side.
In Division 4NW (N), Long Sutton 1st edged out Spalding Poachers 3rd 1-0 thanks to a Hannah Baker goal.
Saturday fixtures: Men: Spalding 1st v Shefford & Sandy 1st (2pm); Cambs South 2nd v Spalding 2nd (1.30pm); Spalding 3rd v Long Sutton 2nd (3.30pm); St Neots 2nd v Spalding 4th (2.30pm); Bourne Deeping 6th v Spalding 5th (10am); Long Sutton 1st v Dereham 2nd (2.30pm); Long Sutton 3rd v Alford 2nd (1pm).
Women: Spalding 1st v Alford 1st (12.30pm); Pelicans 1st v Long Sutton 1st (1pm); March Town 1st v Spalding 2nd (2pm); Spalding 3rd v Spilsby 1st (11am).
