Men’s hockey round-up: Six of the best for Spalding 2nd against Ely’s top team

Two players scored doubles as Spalding 2nd enjoyed a 6-1 success over Ely City 1st on Saturday.

The crushing Division 3NW victory was the pick of the South Holland scorelines in the East Men’s Hockey League over the weekend.

They had to come back from behind after Sullivan Smith had inadvertently turned the ball into his own net during a first 20 minutes in which they dominated possession but lacked accuracy in their passing.

Past this point, however Spalding took control and a brilliantly deflected short corner by Tim Maltby and a short corner bullet by Jacob Baker gave them a 2-1 lead.

The second half was a one-sided affair and a flick won by Baker was converted by Will Steed before a brace from Steve Rogers and Baker’s second goal completed the scoring and an emphatic 6-1 final score.

Up in Premier B, Spalding 1st picked up a 1-1 draw at Havering 1st.

After seeing a goal ruled out in a first half they controlled well, Spalding finally took the lead in the second period when Will Baker slotted home for 1-0.

However, with three minutes left Havering snatched a late point.

In Division 2N, Long Sutton 1st collected their second victory of the season as they won 2-1 at St Ives 1st.

Following a goalless opening period, Sutton went ahead when some excellent work from Ed White was finished off by Josh Baker.

The home side levelled, but Baker fired the winner with ten minutes left from a penalty flick.

Back in Division 3NW, Long Sutton 2nd picked up a 2-1 win over Cambridge University 3rd.

Dominic and Cameron Ibrahim both netted at the Peele Leisure Centre.
Down in Division 4NW, goals from Jacob Drew and Daniel Plant couldn’t stop Kettering 2nd from hammering Spalding 3rd 9-2.

In Division 5NW, Spalding 4th lost a feisty derby with Wisbech Town 3rd 5-3 as Dave Burrell, Oliver Smith and Richard Hayter all scored.

Also beaten were Spalding 5th, who went down 2-1 at City of Peterborough 8th. Oli Baker netted in the Division 6NW (N) clash.

Sutton 3rd lost 8-0 at Leadenham 2nd.

Saturday’s fixtures: Premier B – Spalding 1st v Sudbury 1st (2pm). D2N – Sutton 1st v Norwich 2nd (2.30pm). 3NW – Bourne Deeping 2nd v Spalding 2nd (11am); Ely 1st v Sutton 2nd (2pm). 4NW – Spalding 3rd v Bourne Deeping 3rd (5pm). 5NW – Kettering 3rd v Spalding 4th (4pm). 6NW (N) – Sutton 3rd v Horncastle 2nd (11.30am); Spalding 5th v Bourne Deeping 6th (3.30pm).