Spalding Poachers 1st earned a vital 3-2 victory over Letchworth 1st on Saturday as they did their hopes of staying in East Women’s League Division 1N the power of good.
Having won just one of their previous 14 league games, it was vital that the Spalding girls won in order to keep themselves in touch with the clutch of sides above them.
It was short corners which inspired the victory, with the Poachers netting three of their 14 opportunities.
Kelly Slater rounded the keeper for the first, while Karen Timby smashed number two into the roof of the net and Di Bevan finished off what turned out to be the winner.
Georgina Maplethorpe received player of the match with a magnificent attacking display, as Spalding celebrated their second success of the season.
In Division 3NW, Spalding Poachers 2nd went down 4-3 against Cambs South.
Evie Maltby, Samantha Foston and Zoe Moore notched in vain for them.
In the same division, Spalding Poachers 3rd were soundly beaten 9-0 by leaders Cambs Uni 3rd.
- Spalding 1st picked up a vital victory in East Men’s Hockey League Premier B as they edged out promotion rivals Norwich City 2-1.
Third-placed Spalding were keen to avenge their devastating defeat away at Norwich in the first half of the season – and did just that.
It was, however, Norwich who took the lead through a short corner which was neatly deflected into the net at the far post.
Spalding levelled through Michael Morris just before half time, then won it when Dan Needham finished impressively.
Although they had to play the last five minutes without Joe Higgins, they held on to move within two points of their second-placed rivals.
At the other end of the table, Long Sutton 1st were upset 8-4 at Saffron Walden and stay in the bottom two.
Danny Sisson (2), Josh Fyson and Gary Hales got the goals.
There was also a heavy defeat for Long Sutton 2nd in Division 3NW, who were handed a 5-1 reverse by St Neots 1st.
Sutton conceded goals from five short corners, but did notch through Will White.
It was a case of ‘same old, same old’ in Division 4NW as red-hot duo Spalding 3rd and Spalding 2nd both won again.
Spalding 3rd romped to an 8-0 success over St Ives 3rd to hit the top of the table.
Playing some of their best hockey of the season to date, Dominic Ibrahim (2), Ryan Davy (2), Steve Rogers, Chris McKenna, Ed Sly and Nick Hatfield capped the performance with goals galore.
Hot on their heels in second, on goal difference, are friendly foes Spalding 2nd.
They earned a fantastic 3-1 victory over previous leaders Leadenham 1st to send them tumbling down to third.
Glenn Perkins fired all three goals to give his side a crucial victory.
In Division 5NW, Long Sutton 3rd earned a welcome win as they defeated basement boys Cambs South 4th 2-1 thanks to goals from Adam Pack and Adam Sisson.
At the same level, Spalding 4th were thrashed 8-0 by unbeaten leaders St Neots 2nd.
Down in Division 6NW (N) Spalding 5th continued their impressive season with the 7-0 demolition of Grantham 1st. Andy Barlow (3), Alex Cunnington (2) and Jack Martin (2) grabbed the goals that keep Spalding six points off second place.
- Spalding Hockey Club’s men’s 1st team host Norwich City at Glen Park this coming Sunday (2pm) in the England Hockey Trophy third round.
Having beaten them in the league on Saturday, Spalding are hoping to replicate that and book a place in the last eight.
