Promoted Spalding 1st began life in East Hockey League’s Premier B division with a stunning 5-1 victory at Cambridge Uni 2nd on Saturday.
They welcomed new keeper Josh Olphin, who has moved from National Premier Division side Sheffield Hallam, and ex-City Of Peterborough forward Dan Needham to their squad for the season openers.
That was tempered by the absence, through suspension, of master marksman Stuart Cunnington – but he and new manager Graham Allen were hugely influential as they ran the bench from the sideline.
After a goalless first period, Needham opened the scoring for Spalding from close range. It was 2-0 moments later when Connor Allen finished off a sweeping move, before Rob Dalton’s solo strike made it 3-0.
Cambridge pulled one back, but Univeg man-of-the-match Allen’s super strike put the game beyond reach of the hosts.
There was still time for Jack Drury to round off the rout late on.
In the same division, Long Sutton 1st suffered a 3-2 loss at rivals Wisbech 1st in their opener.
Having fallen behind, new captain Ashley Taylor rifled home a trademark leveller for Sutton.
Two quick goals early in the second half put Wisbech in command, rendering Danny Sisson’s late goal as consolation.
In Division 3NW, Long Sutton 2nd had better luck against Wisbech 2nd as they romped to a 6-2 success.
Strikes from Ben Shore, Jack Smith and Will White put the hosts in dreamland at half time.
Wisbech hit back early in the second period as they looked to mount a comeback, but Luke Jackson and Gary Hales notched one apiece to put Sutton 5-1 up.
The visitors replied again, but the last word was Harry Thorpe’s with goal number six.
In Division 4NW, Spalding 2nd were handed a 2-1 reverse by hosts Bourne/Deeping 3rd.
Rob Tilbrook’s precise drag put Spalding 1-0 up, but two goals before the break did for them.
In the same division, Spalding 3rd romped to an 8-0 victory over Cambs Nomads 2nd to make the perfect start to the season.
They led 7-0 at half time with four of the goals coming from Glenn Perkins.
Joe Doolan also notched twice, including finishing a super team goal, while Dominic Ibrahim completed the first-half scoring. Harry Bettinson was the sole scorer in the second period.
Elsewhere, Long Sutton 3rd suffered an 8-3 beating at March 2nd in Division 5NW. It looked like game over when the hosts went 5-0 up, but Luke Proctor grabbed a consolation before the break.
The great escape then seemed on as Jeremy Smith and Proctor made it 5-3, but three more March goals ended their hopes.
In the same division, Spalding 4th earned a 2-1 triumph at Bourne/Deeping 5th. New signing Dick Whiteman put Spalding ahead at the interval, before then doubling his money in the second half.
A late home goal failed to derail the Spalding lads.
Down a level in Division 6NW(N), Spalding 5th lost 2-0 at Horncastle 2nd despite a string of fine saves from young keeper Cameron Ibrahim.
Long Sutton 4th, however, beat hosts Bourne/Deeping 6th 6-4 thanks to goals from Will White (2), James Baker (2), Ian White and player-of-the-match Matt Goodley.
- Spalding’s three teams failed to register a goal between them as they were all beaten in their East Women’s Hockey League openers on Saturday.
The top team were beaten 1-0 by Cambs City 2nd in Division 1N, while Division 3NW duo Spalding 2nd and Spalding 3rd lost 4-0 and 2-0 to Bourne/Deeping 1st and Huntingdon 1st respectively.
In Division 2NW, Long Sutton 1st were handed a 2-1 home reverse by St Neots 1st.
Leanne Woodhead got the goal, with Leah Goodley POTM.
