Wisbech Town 0 Spalding United 0
Boss Gaby Zakuani rued two missed clear-cut chances as Spalding United were forced to settle for a 0-0 derby draw at Wisbech Town on Saturday.
New signing Ben Stakie – one of three debutants on the day – saw his one-on-one effort saved in the second half, while top scorer Jordan Macleod also wasted a golden opportunity late on.
The stalemate did move Spalding up to eighth in the Pitching In NPM Midlands Division table, but they remain ten points off a play-off position.
Zakuani was pleased with his three new recruits, though, as he talked up the showings of midfielder Stakie (signed from Shepshed Dynamo) and Peterborough United under-23 loanees Emmanuel Fernandez (defender) and Ethan Bojang (midfielder).
“The new boys did really well,” said the former Peterborough United skipper. “They were our best performers on the day.
“I feel like they added a bit of spark to our performance, which has been lacking going forward in recent weeks.
“We should really have won the game, given that we had two really clear-cut chances.
“But that’s been the story for us recently, we just don’t seem to be able to score goals.
“I’m not overly worried as we’re creating chances. Once one goes in, I’m sure we’ll be fine.
“If we weren’t looking like we were going to score, we’d have a big problem.
“I think we’re lacking a little in confidence as a squad, but that can be easily turned around.
“Saturday’s game was similar to many others we’ve had recently, we just need to add more goals to the team – and it’s my job to do that.”
On paper, the play-off chasing Tulips were hot favourites to defeat a Wisbech side that are battling relegation this season.
But Zakuani’s side haven’t won a game in any competition since seeing off Soham Town Rangers 4-3 on October 19 – and their lack of confidence was evident at the Fenland Stadium.
With Wisbech’s side packed full of former Tulips – including Jono Fairweather, Sam Murphy and Ben Richards – it was never going to be a routine fixture for them.
And so it proved, with the Tulips once again struggling to convert their chances into goals.
A drab first half offered few highlights, but Spalding should have gone ahead when Stakie raced clear and in on goal, but was denied when home keeper Luke Pearson saved at his feet.
With 20 minutes left Wisbech’s Murphy, who had already sent an earlier header over, forced Michael Duggan into a super save at the other end.
But it was the Tulips who fashioned the chance of the game late on as Stakie found Macleod in a great position – only for the usually reliable frontman to mis-control and allow Pearson to save.
The draw at least ends Spalding’s run of three league losses on the trot, but Zakuani’s side are now five games without a win in all competitions.
Tulips: Duggan, Cartwright, Ward, R Yala (Bucciero 59), Stainfield, Fernandez, Bojang, Broccoli, G Yala (Adams 55, Olivant 69), Macleod, Stakie. Not used: Hugo, Price.
Attendance: 244.
