The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
In-form Long Sutton 2nd put in another fine performance on Saturday as they hit St Ives 2nd for six in Division 3NW of East Men’s Hockey League.
On a day that saw the fixture list ravaged by bad weather, Sutton’s second string were the star South Holland performers with a 6-1 triumph at the Peele Leisure Centre.
It’s the second week on the spin that Sutton have scored six times and is also their sixth win of the campaign.
Young Jack Smith got them off to a flying start when he finished off a slick team move.
Flawless from their short corner routines, Sutton then moved out of sight with three unanswered strikes hitting the backboard through Nick Ellis (2) and Gary Hales.
That man Hales then made it 5-0 from a penalty strike after Luke Jackon’s effort was blocked by a St Ives foot.
Although the visitors did pull one back, it was Sutton’s day – and Will White rounded off the scoring when he touched home Scott Downie’s thunderous effort.
Despite not getting on the scoresheet, man of the match went to Harry Synnott after an incredible all-round display.
Elsewhere, Long Sutton 1st picked up a point as they picked up a very presentable 1-1 draw at second-placed Norwich City.
Despite being put under plenty of pressure by their hosts in the early stages, Sutton always carried a goal threat – and went ahead thanks to a Ben Shore strike.
A man-of-the-match showing from Steve Kirkham threatened to keep Norwich at bay in the second period, but they eventually levelled to deny Sutton a big win.
All of the other men’s games involving teams from Spalding and Long Sutton were postponed.
- A double from Leanne Woodhead fired Long Sutton ladies’ 1st to a fine 3-1 victory over King’s Lynn Pelicans ladies’ 1st in East Women’s Hockey League Division 2NW on Saturday.
Hosts Sutton went ahead on 18 minutes when Katie Bedford slipped the ball to Jeorgia Carr in the D. Her initial shot was well saved, but she composed herself and fired home the rebound.
Pelicans piled on the pressure and won a host of short corners at the end of the first half, but it was Sutton who doubled their lead in the second period when Woodhead buried Lyn Tancred’s cross.
Pelicans halved the lead when they finally converted a short corner, but Woodhead’s second – a superb strike to the goalkeeper’s right – sealed Sutton’s success.
Down in Division 3NW, Spalding Poachers 2nd were handed a 2-0 derby defeat at Bourne/Deeping ladies’ 1st.
A short corner at the end of the first period and scrambled second after the break accounted for Spalding.
