Spalding United 0
Marske United 2
Disappointed boss Chris Rawlinson admitted that his Spalding United side were “a mile away” from the required standard after Marske United eased to a 2-0 victory at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field on Saturday.
A classy first-half strike from Craig Gott (10) gave promoted Marske a deserved half-time lead in the Evo-Stik League East Division clash, before Jamie Owens clinched the points with a breakaway goal 23 minutes from time.
The Tulips played the best part of an hour with ten men after striker Leon Mettam was sent off for a late tackle on Liam O’Sullivan, who had to leave the field on a stretcher.
Rawlinson, who saw his side lose for the first time this season, felt his side looked lethargic and tired.
But he also shouldered some of the blame by conceding that his decision to play three forwards didn’t quite go to plan.
“I’m disappointed by our performance,” said the Tulips chief. “I was always worried about this game, though.
“This is no excuse, but any time that wins the Northern League isn’t going to be a bad side.
“They’ve retained pretty much what they had and have had an OK start to the season.
“That’s what I thought that I’d try and mix things up and get another forward onto the pitch, with the aim being taking the game to them and trying to force them back.
“It didn’t really work though, if I’m honest, and I’ll take the blame for that. It’s something that I tried, but it didn’t work. It’s just one of those things you do as a manager.
“But, maybe it didn’t work because the application of some of the players wasn’t quite at the level required. We looked lethargic, we looked tired and we didn’t look like the team that played the first three league games.
“Maybe I have to have a look at things. If that is the standard, then it’s going to be a long season for us as we’re a mile away on present form.
“As for the red card, I thought Leon was perhaps our best forward before he went off, he was linking things well and looked bright.
“But, when you go in to block a clearance up the line, you always leave yourself open to the possibility that, if you miss-time it or go a bit high, you could be sent off.
“To be fair, their boy had to come off injured, so I hope he’s OK, first and foremost.
“After that it’s backs to wall with ten me for the best part of 60 minutes.
“We made changes at half time to try and be more solid. I thought our best bet was to play for set-plays and hopefully get back into the game from one, but their second goal killed us.
“Let’s be honest, they are a very good side – perhaps one of the best we’ve seen down here in recent times.
“But me as a manager and the lads have got to go away and have a think, as we’ve all got a bit of work to do ahead of what is a massive FA Cup game for us next weekend.”
The first chance of the afternoon fell to the visitors, who settled much the better. A volleyed cross from Damien Stevens picked out the lively Owens, who guided his header just past the post.
Marske capitalised on their fine start with a classy opener on ten minutes, though. Clever play on the right from Callum Martin saw him pull the ball back for a free Gott, who curled home a crisp finish from the edge of the box after being afforded way too much space.
Owens then attempted audacious 40-yard effort as the away side looked to double their lead, but it dropped just wide of Michael Duggan’s goal.
That seemed to wake the Tulips up, as they fashioned two big chances in as many minutes. First, Conor Marshall waltzed through and saw his angled drive saved by Robert Dean.
Moments later it was big Ben Davison who rose at the back post to meet a deep cross, but his downward header was once again kept out by Dean.
Spalding were fortunate not to fall 2-0 down when Owens raced clear and took a bit too long to get his shot away, allowing Duggan to save at his feet.
But they slowly played themselves into the game and went close to levelling when Leon Mettam forced a stop from Dean, before Tom Siddons nodded the rebound over.
Marske then had a goal ruled out when Owens’ strike from close in was saved, with an offside O’Sullivan tucking home the rebound.
The flashpoint of the half followed, with Mettam given a straight red card for a late tackle on O’Sullivan, who had to leave the field on a stretcher with his leg looking in a bad way.
A double substitution at half time made the ten-man Tulips look much more solid in the early stages of the second period. One of those brought on, Gary King, lashed an effort over from the edge of the box as the hosts looked for a leveller.
But Marske always looked capable of picking their hosts off – and they duly added a second on 67 minutes. Stevens showed great strength and pace to get free on the left, before unselfishly teeing up strike partner Owens to finish from close range.
Owens was unlucky not to grab his second with an angled drive from the left a few minutes later, but his drive whistled past the far post.
The clash then fizzled out in the closing stages, with Marske comfortable winners.
Having drawn their first three games 1-1, the home loss leaves Spalding still without a league win this season and they are now down in 16th position.
Tulips: Duggan, Lemon, Hugo, Marshall, Miller, Spafford, Lockie (Humble 46), Brooks (Zuerner 77), Siddons (King 46), Mettam, Davison. Not used: Floyd, White.
Sponsors’ MOTM: Lemon.
Attendance: 133.
