Title-chasing Spalding 1st kicked off the second half of their East Men’s Hockey League Division One North with a typical victory on Saturday.
The table-toppers crushed Cambridge Nomads 1st 7-0 at Glen Park to make it 11 wins from 13 games this season, with Stuart Cunnington (2), Joe Rogers (2), Jacob Baker (2) and George Halgarth all finding the net.
After a largely even opening period, a 20-minute blitz of four goals put Spalding in firm command.
All were tap-ins at the back post, with Baker (2), Rogers and Halgarth finding the net from close in.
Rogers then ended the game as a contest with number five from a short corner before the break.
The mighty maroons rounded off their win in the second half thanks to a Cunnington short corner, before he added a second following some great team play and skills from Halgarth.
Spalding remain top, but level on points with rivals Harleston Magpies 2nd.
In Division Two North West, it was a tough day for the two South Holland sides.
Long Sutton 1st began their 2022 fixtures with a 5-2 home reverse against high-flying St Ives 1st.
Sutton defended strongly and created a handful of chances for themselves in the first period but, although they were more than in the fight, found themselves 5-1 down at half time.
Their goal came from excellent work by Josh Fyson, who sent Josh Baker running for him to neatly finish into the roof of the net.
Sutton were determined to win the second half – and, to their credit, they did just that. It was Baker who found the net with a firmly taken short corner struck into the roof of the net.
It was an even worse day at the office for struggling Spalding 2nd, who were handed a 10-2 hammering at Kettering 1st.
Two Jacob Drew goals weren’t enough to prevent a heavy loss at their second-placed opponents.
Down in Division Four North West, Spalding 4th were also up against it as they were handed a 6-0 home beating by second-placed City of Peterborough 6th.
Spalding were rusty after the Christmas break and Peterborough were much improved from when they last met, scoring four in the first half and two in the second.
The loss leaves them fifth, some 14 points behind leaders Long Sutton 2nd.
It was a much better day for the runaway leaders, who eased to a 6-1 triumph at Bourne Deeping 4th.
Both Tyler Hagan and Ed White helped themselves to doubles on the day, while Gary Hales and Stefan Fox also got in on the act.
It was Hagan who shone as man-of-the-match with his double and a fine assist for Hales – which was a great example of unselfish play.
They are five points clear of their nearest rivals.
In Division Five North West, the clash between St Neots 3rd and Long Sutton 3rd was postponed.
Down in Division Six North West, table-topping Spalding 5th were 2-0 home winners over third-placed City of Peterborough 8th.
Callum Fravigar slotted the ball into the goal for his first senior league goal in just his second outing, giving the home side a 1-0 lead at the break.
With just a few minutes left on the clock, a clearance led to a break-away chase by Brendan Atkin and Finlay Roy, with Roy picking up the ball before eliminating the keeper for Atkin to calmly put the game to bed.
Saturday fixtures: Pelicans 1st v Spalding 1st (2pm); Cambs City 4th v Long Sutton (1.30pm); Spalding 2nd v COP 3rd (12.30pm); Ely City 2nd v Spalding 4th (2.30pm); Long Sutton 2nd v St Neots 2nd (2.30pm); Long Sutton 3rd v Bourne Deeping 5th (11.30pm); Kettering 5th v Spalding 5th (1pm).
