A superb team showing boosted Long Sutton 1st’s chances of Premier B survival on Saturday as they crushed Colchester 1st 5-0.
Danny Sisson was the hero with a hat-trick at the Peele Leisure Centre, while Connor Allen and free-scoring Josh Fyson also grabbed goals.
The impressive Sisson put Sutton 2-0 ahead by half-time. His first goal saw him round the keeper and smash home, before he finished superbly with a thunderous reverse stick strike after Jamie Featherstone’s pass.
Fyson sat the keeper down impressively to make it 3-0 after the break, then Allen picked out the top corner with a stunning drive. There was still time for Sisson to seal his treble, as Sutton moved a point clear of the drop zone.
Meanwhile, Spalding 1st were held to a 3-3 draw at fellow Division 2N promotion rivals Cambs City 3rd as neither side enhanced their hopes.
After seeing a Glenn Perkins goal ruled out, Spalding fell 1-0 down at half time. A Stuart Cunnington penalty corner got them back on level terms, but two quick Cambs goals put the hosts 3-1 up.
However, Perkins pulled one back and then Russell Watts scrambled home a leveller to keep Spalding in the hunt with two games left.
Meanwhile, Long Sutton 2nd delivered another stellar showing in Division 4NW.
Already promoted, leaders Sutton kept their hopes of the title very much on-track with an 8-1 thumping of City of Peterborough 6th.
Once again Ben Shore was in destructive form with an impressive four-goal haul, while Nick Bailey also helped himself to a hat-trick. Completing the scoring was player-of-the-match Andrew Shore.
There was also a notable performance from Stefan Fox, who was playing in his seventh different position for the team this season – and was outstanding at left back.
In Division 6NW (N), Spalding 4th kept their unbeaten run in 2013 going as they drew 2-2 at Horncastle 2nd. Matt Thorley gave them the lead in the first half, but the hosts battled back to go 2-1 ahead before Tom Bettinson bagged an equaliser.
Also in Division 6NW (N), Long Sutton 3rd sealed second spot with a big 6-0 win over Alford 2nd.
Ed White, Matt Grange and Alex Canham all netted doubles for the impressive young side.
• Spalding Poachers 3rd are celebrating after wrapping up the Cambs Ladies’ League Division Two title – but not in the manner they wanted.
Opponents Newmarket 3rd failed to turn up to the Glen Park clash, meaning they defaulted 3-0.
In East Women’s League Division 2N, Spalding Poachers 1st saw their hopes of a top two finish dashed by a 4-0 loss to rivals COP 1st.
Long Sutton Ladies’ 1st were also soundly beaten in Division 1N, going down 3-0 to rivals Wisbech Ladies’ 1st.
Another side defeated were Spalding Poachers 2nd, but their 5-4 loss to Huntingdon 1st was a thriller in Cambs Ladies’ League Premier Division. Amber Wild, Helen Jex (2) and Kate Breen had put Poachers 4-2 up at one stage.
Long Sutton Ladies’ 2nd lost 5-3 to Woodhall Spa 1st, Leah Goodley (2) and Rachel Gadsden the scorers.