Long Sutton’s leading side kick-started their East Hockey League Premier B campaign with a vital 3-1 win at Harleston Magpies 2nd on Saturday.
South Holland’s highest-ranked side had only won one of their previous six games prior to the trip to the league’s basement boys, but have propelled themselves clear of the drop zone.
Danny Sisson’s delighful deflection from Jimmy Harrison’s pass put Sutton 1st ahead in the first period, before a ferocious rocket of a strike from Josh Fyson made it 2-0 at half time.
Sutton added a third with a superb flowing move after the break to seal their win.
A quick side line ball from Nick Ellis found Harrison, who slipped the ball to Ben Shore.
He then drove into the D and beat his man before pulling the ball back to Sisson, who skilfully finished.
A late conslation from hosts Harleston failed to spoil the Sutton celebrations.
In Division One, Spalding 1st earned an impressive 2-1 win at promotion rivals Old Southendian 1st to stay level at the top.
After a goalless first period, Stuart Cunnington converted a short corner with a low flick past the keeper’s left foot to put Spalding one up.
A scrappy Southendians strike soon made it 1-1, but to Connor Allen responded by firing the ball into the bottom left to give Spalding a huge victory.
The result was all the more impressive considering Spalding travelled with six unavailable players. Matt Sanders (MOTM), Claude Smith-Hughes and Sam Howitt all shone in their absence.
Meanwhile, Spalding 2nd earned a morale-boosted 4-2 victory over Bourne/Deeping 2nd in Division 3NW.
Glenn Perkins and Pete Wright put them 2-0 ahead, before an own goal made it 3-0 after the break.
Although the visitors then pulled one back, Tim Maltby turned in number four at the back stick to render a second Bourne/Deeping strike late on mere consolation.
In the same Division, Long Sutton 2nd were handed an 8-1 humbling by red-hot leaders Cambs Nomads.
Although they were given a bit of a lesson by a very top side, Harry Thorpe did bury an Alex Canham delivery to give Sutton something to cheer about.
In Division 4NW, Spalding 3rd secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw at City of Peterborough 7th thanks to Peter Gray’s strike.
Amazingly, they were the only Spalding side not to win their game at the weekend.
Down a level to Division 5NW, Spalding 4th produced an excellent all round performance to see off Cambs South 4th 5-1. Brothers Dominic and Kieren Ibrahim made it 2-0, before Keith Stennett’s sweet strike took the score to 3-0 at half time.
Stennett’s second and Ryan Davey’s strike rounded off the Spalding scoring after the interval.
In the same division, Long Sutton 3rd were held 3-3 by Bourne/Deeping 4th despite goals from Matt King and Jack Smith (2). They had led 3-1.
Division 6NW (N) saw Spalding 5th edge out Bourne/Deeping 6th 2-1.
Adrian Bettinson and James Reston scored in the second period as Spalding came from 1-0 down to win.
Long Sutton 4th, however, remain rock bottom after being thumped 7-1 by Louth 2nd. Will White, who was lively all game, grabbed the sole Sutton strike.
- Goals from Tim Maltby, Pete Wright and Joe Higgins earned Spalding 2nd a 3-0 win over North Norfolk 2nd in the England Hockey 2nd X1 Cup second round on Sunday.
Saturday’s fixtures
East Men’s League: Premier B – Long Sutton v Havering (1pm).
Division One – Spalding v Brentwood (12.30pm).
Division 3NW – Ely City 2nd v Spalding 2nd (1.30pm); Louth v Long Sutton 2nd (3pm).
Division 4NW – Spalding 3rd v Wisbech Town 3rd (5pm).
Division 5NW – Leadenham v Spalding 4th (2pm); Cambridge City 5th v Long Sutton 3rd (noon).
Division 6NW (N) – Spalding 5th v Grantham 1st (3.30pm); Bourne Deeping 6th v Long Sutton 4th (3.30pm).
