Long Sutton 1st stormed ahead of South Holland rivals Spalding Poachers 1st in East Women’s Hockey League Division 2NW thanks to a thumping 3-0 victory over Bourne Deeping 1st on Saturday.
Captain Leanne Woodhead fired an unstoppable rocket of a shot to put Sutton on course for victory. Two smart goals in both halves – scored by in-form striker Lyn Tancred – then ensured victory and a very important three points.
Sutton are now up to third place, one point above Spalding, after the Poachers were handed a 2-1 defeat at Cambridge Nomads.
The pace of Maplethorpe sisters Charlotte and Georgina caused the hosts problems in the first period, but it was Nomads who led 1-0 at the interval.
However, Poachers levelled when Ellie Pybus released Charlotte Maplethorpe to fire home.
It was end-to-end after that, but Nomads pinched a winner in the final 15 minutes.
In Division 3NW, Spalding Poachers 2nd were held 1-1 at home by struggling Haverhill.
Eva Keyes scored Spalding’s first and only goal of the game when her strike was deflected in by a defender, but Haverhill levelled with a well-struck short corner in the closing stages.
Meanwhile, a youthful Spalding Poachers 3rd were beaten 4-3 at Division 4NW (N) leaders March.
They were 3-0 down at the break, but three goals from their youngest players Lauren Spenceley, Codie Oleary and Calypso Priestley levelled matters. However, March hit a fourth to rain on Spalding’s parade.
In the same division, Long Sutton 2nd won 4-0 at Alford 2nd and are now sixth.
