Brigg Town 1
Spalding United 6
A debut double from new signing Gregg Smith fired Spalding United to a thumping win against Evo-Stik League First Division South basement boys Brigg on Tuesday night.
Defender Jamie Stevens (16) fired the Tulips ahead, before Smith – signed from King’s Lynn Town on Saturday – marked his second Spalding bow with strikes on 20 and 28 minutes.
Jack McGovern (32 and 70) notched either side of the break to put the Tulips way out of sight, while Luke Thurlbourne (79) lashed home a 25-yard sixth late on.
There was time for Lee Clay to grab a late consolation for Brigg (87), but Spalding’s six-y show moves them back into the play-off places in fifth.
Despite the win, Tulips chief Pat Rayment wasn’t overly impressed with what he saw.
He said: “We were great in the first half, but very disappointing after that. We took our foot off the gas and dropped about three gears – I’m not having it.
“We were so much in the ascendancy at 4-0 that I wanted to see us go on and get double figures. We easily could have done that.
“But I felt we missed the chance to play ourselves back into form. It may sound ridiculous for a manager that has seen his side win 6-1 to say that, but it’s how I feel.
“I’m a hard taskmaster and I’ll always be cracking the whip. The players will thank me for it long-term.
“It was good to see Gregg get two goals, but he needs games to play himself into form. It was also great to see Luke Thurlbourne get 90 minutes under his belt – and score a cracking goal too.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s great that we’re back into the play-off positions. We’ve put our mini-blip behind us in terms of results, now I just want to see improved performances.”
Tulips: Donkin, L Thurlbourne, J Thurlbourne, Leary, Stevens, Webb, Griffiths (Hodge), Hall (Simmons), Smith, Nuttell, McGovern.
Tuesday night’s results
Evo-Stik League
First Division South: Brigg Town 1 Spalding United 6; Mickleover Sports 2 Lincoln United 2; Tividale 4 Romulus 1.
ChromaSport United Counties League
Premier Division: Wisbech Town 2 Deeping Rangers 1; Yaxley 3 Thurnby Nirvana 2.
