The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding Poachers 1st continued their excellent recent form in East Women’s Hockey League with a rampant 5-0 Division 2NW victory over Wisbech Town 2nd on Saturday.
Following their back-to-back weekend wins the previous week, the Poachers were full of confidence at Glen Park ahead of the visit of their struggling – but experienced – rivals from Fenland.
A solo effort from Ellie Pybus put the hosts ahead, before a great bit of interplay by the young forwards Ellie Holland and Evie Maltby allowed Jess Ball to make it 2-0 soon after.
Ball then rocketed home her second a few minutes later for 3-0, while Amy Wells’ short corner made it four just before the break.
The goals didn’t flow as freely after the break, but Ellie Holland’s skilful strike rounded off the rout late on.
Elsewhere, Spalding Poachers 2nd were beaten 3-1 at Bourne Deeping 1st in Division 3NW.
Alanna “AJ” Bunyan gave the Poachers a surprise early lead, but the high-flying hosts hit back with three goals.
Down in Division 4NW (N), Spalding Poachers were handed a 4-2 defeat by hosts Spilsby 1st. Kate Amess got both goals at Glen Park.
In the same division, Long Sutton 2nd went down 4-0 at Leadenham 1st.
- It’s now nine games without a win for Spalding 1st in East Men’s League Premier A as they suffered an 8-1 home defeat to table-topping St Albans 1st on Saturday.
Four goals in the final ten minutes gave the scoreline something of an unfair feel for Spalding at Glen Park, but it was another heavy loss for them nonetheless.
The former national league side went 3-0 up early on, but Spalding pulled one back early in the second half when Tom Everton’s deft touch finished off a fluid move which included a great run from Rob Dalton.
However, a breakaway goal soon after opened the floodgates as Spalding capitulated late on.
This Saturday sees the basement boys travel to Saffron Waldon, with a victory needed to give them any chance of survival.
Down in Division One, Long Sutton 1st lost 4-2 at home to Upminster 1st despite goals from Josh Baker and Matt Goodley.
They remain in the bottom two, with only Felixstowe below them.
Meanwhile, Spalding 2nd finally got their first win of the Division 3NW season – but it came at the expense of friendly foes Spalding 3rd.
The 3rd team started the stronger and took the lead through a Dave Burrell short corner strike.
But, as the game was reaching the hour mark, the 2nd side started to create chances and scored three goals in the last ten minutes through James Mayhew, Jacob Baker and Darren Grooby to win 3-1.
In Division 4NW, Long Sutton 2nd romped to a 5-0 victory over St Neots 2nd at the Peele Leisure Centre.
Gary Hales was the star of the show with a four-goal haul, while Tyler Hagan also found the net.
Down in Division 5NW, Spalding 4th enjoyed a a 3-1 success at Horncastle 2nd thanks to strikes from Alex Cunnington, Kieran Scholes and Darren Willson.
Spalding 5th battled out a 0-0 draw against lowly Louth 2nd in Division 6NW (N), while Spalding 6th were beaten 3-1 at Wisbech 4th despite Deane Baker’s strike.
Long Sutton 3rd lost 2-1 at City of Peterborough 8th.
