Men’s hockey round-up: Seven-up Spalding 1st remain in command after huge victory

Spalding 1st maintained their healthy five-point lead at the top of East Men’s Hockey League Division One North with a big 7-0 home success over Cambridge City 3rd on Saturday.

Joe Rogers (2), Joe Higgins (2), James Mayhew, Stu Cunnington and Will Baker got the goals at Glen Park as the mighty Maroons made it 15 wins from 17 games so far this season.

It was a dominant display from Spalding, with Higgins deflecting home the opener, Rogers making it 2-0 with a wonder strike that nutmegged the keeper and Matt Peach teeing up goal poacher Higgins again to make it 3-0 at the break.

In the second period Rogers placed home his second, then Baker got in on the act following Cunnington’s super reverse stick assist.

Not done there, that man Cunnington grabbed a goal before James Mayhew rounded things off with a well-slotted penalty stroke.

In Division Two North West, Long Sutton 1st slipped up 4-2 at City of Peterborough 3rd.

Sutton were 3-1 down at the break, but did have the score at 2-1 at one point when Bradley Sargeant netted a fine poacher’s goal after diving on to a bouncing ball to put it past the keeper.

A fast breakaway from Nick Ellis, Gary Hales and Josh Baker led to the latter scoring a fine reverse after the break, but the City side scored again to clinch it.

In the same division, a Daniel Plant goal couldn’t stop Spalding 2nd losing 4-1 at Cambridge University 3rd.

Elsewhere, goals from Alex Canham, Ed White and a brace from Daniel Batten (2) gave Division Four North West leaders Long Sutton 2nd a 4-3 win at March Town 2nd.

Spalding 4th were beaten 2-0 at home by Cambridge South 4th in the same division, despite putting in a very encouraging performance.

In Division Five North West, Long Sutton 3rd lost 9-0 at home to leaders Cambs Nomads 3rd, while in Division Six North West Tom Pilgrim and Brendan Atkin (2) scored as Spalding 5th beat Ely City 3rd 3-1.

Saturday fixture: St Neots 3rd v Sutton 3rd (11.30am).