Long Sutton’s top ladies’ side smashed rivals Bourne/Deeping 1st 7-0 on Saturday to keep themselves firmly in the East Women’s League Division 2NW title mix.
As has been the norm in most games this season, Sutton started with tremendous tempo and pace right from the off – and within the first minute Robyn Gribble had a run from midfield and found Jeorgia Carr who shot narrowly wide.
The breakthrough finally came on nine minutes after a strong run by Gribble allowed Leanne Woodhead to fire home a super reverse stick shot.
It was 2-0 when Lisa Baker rattled home an unstoppable strike after fine work from Woodhead.
Number three arrived when Carr found Charlie Leuty, who jabbed a sharp cross in for Baker to hammer home from close range.
Sutton’s lead was 4-0 at half time when Tania White calmly buried a penalty flick, before Gribble fired in number five with a real cracker.
The final two goals came late on, as another stunner from Baker allowed her to complete a hat-trick and Gribble slotted home a clever reverse stick strike.
It wasn’t such a productive day for Long Sutton ladies’ 2nd in Division 3NW, as they slipped to a 2-0 loss at Louth Ladies’ 2nd.
The Sutton girls matched Louth play-wise, but they just couldn’t get the last third of the pitch to work for them, as the experienced and strong hosts were well organised in defence and proved difficult to penetrate.
Despite some decent saves by Sam Carr in goal, it was only a matter of time before Louth converted their chances, which they did with two second half goals.
The hard-working Amber Jones was named player of the match, but she couldn’t stop Sutton from slipping to a third successive loss.
All other games in the East Women’s League involving South Holland sides were postponed.
Meanwhile, Alex Canham was the toast of Long Sutton’s second side in East Men’s League Division 3NW as he fired an impressive treble.
Canham’s hat-trick inspired Sutton to a 3-0 victory over St Neots 1st as they picked up only their second success of the season.
Long Sutton 4th were the only other of the club’s sides to play any kind of hockey on Saturday, but their Division 6NW (N) clash with Bourne/Deeping 5th was abandoned after 23 minutes with the scores level at 0-0 due to an icy surface.
Elsewhere, only two of Spalding Hockey Club’s men’s teams were in action due to the freezing temperatures.
In Division 3NW, Spalding 2nd were handed a 4-2 reverse against St Ives 2nd.
Dan Adams, on his comeback from injury, scoring from close range to put Spalding ahead against the run of play.
The lead was soon wiped out, but Joe Rogers calmly put Spalding back ahead before half time.
It was a different story after the interval, though, as three St Ives goals sealed Spalding’s fate.
Down in Division 5NW, Spalding 4th picked up an impressive 4-2 victory at Cambs South 3rd to keep themselves third in the table and bang in the hunt for promotion.
SATURDAY’s FIXTURES
East Men’s League: Premier B – Long Sutton v Saffron Walden (1pm).
Division One – Colchester v Spalding (2pm).
Division 3NW – Wisbech 2nd v Long Sutton 2nd (11am); Spalding 2nd v COP 5th (12.30pm).
Division 4NW – City of Peterborough 6th v Spalding 3rd (4pm).
Division 5NW – Spalding 4th v Long Sutton 3rd (3.30pm).
Division 6NW (N) – Spalding 5th v Long Sutton 4th (5pm).
East Women’s League: D2NW – Spalding v Alford & District (11am); St Neots v Long Sutton (3pm).
Division 3NW (N) – Alford & District 2nd v Spalding 2nd (12.30pm); Long Sutton 2nd v Lincoln 2nd (2.30pm); Spalding 3rd v Woodhall Spa (2pm).
