The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Four goals from the returning Stuart Cunnington fired Spalding 1st to another impressive East Men’s League Premier B victory on Saturday.
In what was their first home game of the new season, Joe Higgins (2), Josh Rowbottom and Dan Needham also notched in a thumping 8-1 triumph.
The visitors actually took an early lead at Glen Park following a breakaway, but Cunnington levelled with a rebound finish from a pretty unforgiving angle.
Youngster Higgins then showed his strength to out-muscle a defender who was twice his age and weight to finish off a fine move and make it 2-1 to Spalding.
Univeg man of the match Joe Higgins soon scored again when he beat two defenders inside the circle and coolly flicked home.
Two well-worked short corners then allowed Cunnington to wrap-up his hat-trick before half time.
Home debutant Dan Needham made it 6-1 with a flicked finish, before Cunnington bagged his fourth and Rowbottom rounded off the rout.
The win leaves promoted Spalding top of the table ahead of this Saturday’s trip to Harleston Magpies 2nd.
Also in Premier B, Long Sutton 1st were handed a 4-2 home defeat by City of Peterborough 2nd.
Another side boasting two wins from two are Long Sutton 2nd in Division 3NW.
They edged a nine-goal thriller with hosts City of Peterborough 5th 5-4.
Gary Hales scored three times in the first half to ensure the sides went in level at 3-3 at half time. COP went ahead early in the second period, but a stunner from Hales and Luke Jackson’s calm finish gave Sutton the points.
In Division 4NW, Spalding 3rd sit top with two wins from as many games after seeing off hosts Ely 2nd 6-1.
Steve Rogers led the way with four goals, while Ryan Davy and Chris McKenna also notched.
In the same division, Spalding 2nd also bagged their first win of the season.
They roared to a 4-1 home win over Wisbech 3rd, with Glenn Perkins (2), Pete Wright and Joe Rogers grabbing the goals.
Spalding put together a fluid passing team performance and were full value for the points.
In Division 5NW, Spalding 4th were hammered 6-1 at March 2nd, while Spalding 5th were held to a 0-0 draw by Grantham in Division 6NW (N) to bag their first point.
Back in 5NW, Long Sutton 3rd were handed a 4-0 reverse by Alford as their search for a first win of the season continues.
But Long Sutton 4th top 6NW (N) after beating Alford 2nd 4-1. Tyler Hagan’s first goal for the club and Matt Goodley’s strike put them 2-0 ahead at the break, before the visitors pulled one back.
However, Simon Thompson’s drag flick and a second goal for man-of-the-match Hagan sealed the win.
- Depleted Spalding ladies’ 1st were beaten 5-0 at Wisbech ladies’ 1st in East Women’s League Division 1N.
The promoted Poachers are still without a point or a goal in their new league, but were boosted by an amazing performance by keeper Donna Chester-O’Neill.
Spalding had a host of short corners but failed to convert, while also seeing Steph Wilson and Tori Needham sin binned.
Goals from Helen Jex and Eva Keyes couldn’t stop Spalding ladies’ 2nd going down 4-2 against St Ives ladies’ 2nd in Division 3NW, while Akayla Newton’s strike earned Spalding ladies’ 3rd a 1-1 draw with Haverhill in the same division.
