Spalding 1st face a nervy final weekend of the season after failing to secure their East Men’s Hockey League Premier B status on Saturday.
They were beaten 6-5 by Dereham 1st at Glen Park on Saturday – meaning they could be relegated if they don’t win at already-promoted East London 1st this Saturday.
Goals from Stu Cunnington (2), Rob Dalton (2) and Lawrence Smith-Hughes weren’t enough for them in the 11-goal thriller and they sit just a point above the bottom two in a tight division.
There was better news for Spalding 3rd, who clinched promotion from Division 4NW with a 2-1 win over Cambs Nomads 2nd, Ben Scholes getting both goals.
In the same division, Spalding 2nd romped to a 9-0 success at CoP 6th as Richard McKenna (2), Tom Amess, Dave Burrell, Phil Callow, Ryan Mountney, Pete Wright,
Darren Grooby and Tom Bettinson all netted in an emphatic showing.
Already champions in 4NW, Long Sutton 2nd kept their stellar season going with a 2-0 triumph over Cambs South 2nd. Luke Jackson and Josh Fyson got the goals in that one.
Up in Division 2N, Long Sutton 1st won their penultimate game of the season by seeing off Cambs Nomads 1st 3-1. Sam Markille, Josh Baker and Alex Canham were all on target.
It was a day to forget for Spalding 4th in Division 5NW, as they were thrashed 15-0 at champions Louth 1st.
Meanwhile, there was a South Holland derby in Division 6NW (N) as Spalding 5th defeated Long Sutton 3rd 3-1. Jason Naylor, Daniel Plant and Matthew Wingate scored for Spalding, with Jack Smith replying for Sutton.
- Spalding Poachers are still fighting for their future in East Women’s Hockey League Division 2NW after a 5-2 loss at Pelicans 1st on Saturday. Kelly Slater’s double wasn’t enough as Poachers remain just outside the drop zone with two games left.
In the same division, Long Sutton 1st lost 2-1 against Cambs Nomads 1st despite Jo Bland’s goal.
In 3NW, strikes from Eva Keyes (2), Angel Harkus and Megan Moore gave Spalding Poachers 2nd a 4-0 win over Haverhill 1st.
Elsewhere, Spalding Poachers 3rd lost 1-0 at Leadenham 1st in Division 4NW (N), while Long Sutton 2nd hammered Woodhall Spa 1st 4-0 with Lisa Baker, Sally Hoyles,
Ali Monaghan and Lynne Braginton all finding the target.
