Both Spalding Poachers 1st and Long Sutton ladies’ 1st made incredible starts to the new East Women’s Hockey League Division 2NW season on Saturday.
Spalding, who won the county title over the summer, continued their outstanding pre-season form by thrashing Ely City 1st 11-0 to go top.
Katie Gray (5), Kelly Tuplin (4), Kelly Slater and Jacqui Hunter all notched in the rout, with Maisie Dobbs named player-of-the-match for being magnificent in central defence.
Sutton 1st, meanwhile, handed rivals Bourne/Deeping ladies’ 1st a 5-2 beating.
It was an exceptionally good all-round team performance which showed high intensity and skill from the off – with five great goals coming from four different scorers.
Becky Kierman, Robyn Gribble (2), Lisa Baker and Leanne Woodhead fired Sutton into a 5-0 lead, before they shipped two consolation goals.
Woodhead and Charlee Leuty shared the star player award.
Down a level in Division 3NW, Spalding Poachers 2nd kicked off with a super 3-0 victory at Lincoln ladies’ 3rd. Player-of-the-match Akayla Newton, Eva Keyes and Rachel Perkins notched for Spalding’s second string to give them a real early-season boost.
In the same division, Spalding Poachers 3rd were handed a 2-0 reverse by Lincoln ladies 2nd.
After a goalless first period, the third side conceded twice in the second half despite a stand-out performance from the tireless Lucy Simpson in midfield.
Also in 3NW, Long Sutton ladies’ 2nd battled out a thrilling 4-4 draw against Louth ladies’ 2nd.
Jeorgia Carr fired a terrific treble for Sutton, who trailed 2-0 and 4-2. The last and equalising goal came from Charlotte Maplethorpe, who followed in Emma Howell’s initial strike.
Saturday’s East Ladies’ League fixtures
2NW – Long Sutton v St Neots (1pm); Alford v Spalding.
3NW – Lincoln 2nd v Long Sutton 2nd; Spalding 2nd v Alford 2nd (11am); Woodhall Spa v Spalding 3rd.
