Long Sutton Hockey Club take the derby day victory against Spalding
Good sportsmanship took priority over the battle for derby day honours when Long Sutton and Spalding met in an East Hockey League match at the weekend.
Sutton had taken a second half lead through Josh Fyson in the Division One North clash at the Peele Leisure Centre.
With Spalding pushing hard for an equaliser, the match could have swung in their favour when their hosts had a player sent off after collecting a second yellow card.
However, Spalding players Stu Cunnington and captain Sam Howitt decided to have a quick chat with the umpires and managed to get the decision overturned which saw the red card crossed off.
Sutton were then able to finish the game with 11 players and saw out the remainder of the contest to complete a league double over their neighbours.
The act of sportsmanship drew praise from both camps after a match that was played in such good nature despite the derby rivalry.
Long Sutton had won the first meeting of the season after a 4-3 victory in November and they were boosted by the return of Fyson, Dan Batten and McKenzie East as they looked to bounce back after last week's heavy defeat at Cambridge City 2nds.
The opening stages of the game were slow to get going with both sides working each other out and neither team threatening the opposite goal early on.
The Sutton defence of Donaghy, Harrison, Baguley and Proctor were well organised and kept out Spalding well.
Spalding had the first chance when Cunnington's reverse stick pass found Aaron Borst on the back post.
Borst deflected his shot goal bound which forced Sutton keeper James Cliffe into producing his first good save of the day.
A couple of penalty corners also came and went for the travelling side, one of which required a goal line clearance from Baker on the post.
Sutton had a couple of corner chances themselves but were unable to convert.
The likes of Baker, Fyson and Batten all came close on occasions in the first half but there was never a clear cut opportunity.
Ibrahim and Gray were working hard in tandem to create as much as possible for the boys in green as the first half finished goalless.
The second half saw the game begin to open up with more chances for both sides.
Sutton had their opportunities but good saves from Spalding goalkeeper Oscar Haunch kept them out.
At the other end, once more line saves from Baker and Fyson were important in keeping the score blank.
Cliff made some fantastic saves throughout the game in the Sutton goal to keep a hold of his clean sheet.
The match was then decided when a penalty corner was won after top work from East down the left flank and it was converted by Fyson with a perfect flick to the bottom left.
After the restart, Spalding carried on pinging the ball around and, just when they thought they were going to find the net themselves, Jacob Baker sent his shot into orbit.
Sutton then worked hard to keep their three points intact while Spalding came away with their heads held high.
Sutton now head into a few favourable fixtures over the next few weeks as they travel to Harleston Magpies on Saturday looking for another league double after a 4-2 win earlier in the season.
Spalding have a home game on Saturday against sixth-placed Cambridge University 2nds.
Spalding and Long Sutton's second teams also clashed on Saturday in a tight and tetchy local derby in Division 3NW.
A late winner saw Spalding prevail over their neighbours after a 2-1 success.
A goalless first half was dominated by Sutton who were held at bay by a combination of good defending and goalkeeping and a goal line clearance.
During the first period, Spalding struggled to maintain possession and were second to the 50-50s and a stern talking to was required by stand-in captain Tim Maltby and keeper Rob Callaby.
The second half was certainly a stronger one by Spalding who, despite some ill discipline and a combination of four greens and a yellow card, were able to prevail.
The opener came from the stick of Maltby who received the ball with his back to goal and was able to swivel and place it in the corner.
Spalding looked the stronger at this point but, following a short corner, a Sutton player was found in acres of space and was able to place the ball past the onrushing Callaby.
After a brief period playing with 10 men, Spalding were able to regroup and push for a winner.
It came in a carbon copy of the first goal but this time from the stick of Ben Scholes three minutes from time.
Spalding then held out and the spoils were theirs in the derby duel.
Spalding men's fourth team put in a determined and disciplined performance to secure a well-earned 2-1 victory over Bourne Deeping 3rds at Glen Park on Saturday.
Glenn Perkins played a pivotal role with two clinical goals from penalty corners while Rafa Read's attacking play earned him two short corners.
From the start, Spalding showed their intent, moving the ball well and keeping possession through excellent teamwork.
Andy Barlow and Brian Read worked tirelessly in midfield, breaking up play and linking defence with attack.
Their hard work allowed Spalding to maintain control and create early chances.
Midway through the first half, Spalding's patience was rewarded when they won a penalty corner.
Perkins stepped up and struck the ball cleanly into the net to give the home side the lead.
In the second half, Spalding extended their advantage to 2-0 early on with another well-executed penalty corner from Perkins.
Bourne Deeping responded strongly, managing to get one back and pull within one goal.
Despite their best efforts, the visitors couldn't find an equaliser.
Spalding's defence stood firm under pressure as Mark Rogers, James Giles and Kev Sawyer put in a strong performance at the back, making crucial tackles and clearances to deny Bourne Deeping.
Out wide, Lorenzo Mendoza and Alex Myland provided solid support, helping to absorb the pressure and keep Spalding's shape intact.
Dylan Hind and Jack Dorsett were unlucky not to add to Spalding's tally, narrowly missing out on further goals.
However, their attacking presence helped relieve pressure and keep the opposition on the back foot as Spalding held firm to secure the victory with strong performances across the pitch.
