Spalding United 2
Market Drayton Town 0
Two second-half headers from top scorer Tom Waumsley steered Spalding United to a hard-fought Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field success on Saturday.
After a dire first period, Waumsley nodded the Tulips in the 47th minute advantage with a deft finish from Elliot Hodge’s cross, before burying number two into the top corner just past the hour.
Visitors Market Drayton, who had James Askey sent off for two yellow cards late on, had been on a fine run of four wins from five games going into the clash despite being very much in the relegation mix.
Spalding, meanwhile, move into fourth place in Evo-Stik League First Division South and are remain ten points behind leaders Mickleover Sports with a game in hand.
Boss Pat Rayment admitted that the game highlighted just how competitive the division is. But he also felt that his double half-time substitution, which saw Hodge and Nathan Adams replace Luke Thurlbourne and Gregg Smith, was key.
“I tell you what, it reminded me of the Tividale game the other weekend (2-0 loss for Tulips),” said the Spalding supremo. “Obviously what was important for us was the result.
“They were a very awkward team to play against. I don’t know if it was a game plan to try and get in our faces, but we really had to dig in to get the points.
“We made two tactical substitutions at half time – and I’ll pat myself on the back a bit here – I think we got it right.
“With the wind in the second half we went for it with wingers and took Luke off, while Gregg was going to get sent off – that’s the bottom line.
“Nathan Adams came on and their defence couldn’t deal with him.
“I’m pleased to see Tom get goals under his belt. He’s a player who needs the team to be playing well to help him – and that’s what he was doing earlier in the season.
“He got himself two great goals today and possibly could have had a hat-trick.
“Credit to Market Drayton, they are a good side. That just typifies this league and how strong it is. It’s all about getting the first goal, as teams like them know this league – and they’re not going to let us play.
“I did think the officials were very poor, it was ridiculous really. Don’t get me wrong, you couldn’t pay me to be an official. Maybe it’s just me, but it was frustrating.
“But for me, we won the battles in the second half. We’ve got a clean sheet and won 2-0 – I’m just happy to get the points and we move on to an extremely difficult game at Gresley on Tuesday night.
“Were we at our best? Of course not. But we’ll get there.”
Indeed, Spalding were far from the scintillating best on Saturday – especially during a first half that many at the Sir Halley would have recognised at the worst half of football they’ve seen all season.
Drayton’s Campbell Lyndon did work Spalding keeper Sam Donkin after capitalising on a poor defensive clearance, but that was all the visitors really had to shout about.
At the other end, the Tulips offered a little more going forward, but never really looked to be in command.
Smith, who was making his second home debut, had perhaps their best opportunity when he nodded wide at the near post following an excellent run and cross from Jack McGovern on the left.
It was the big striker’s only real highlight, as he became embroiled in an ongoing battle with referee Richard Price – who later booked him for dissent.
The other chances both involved the lively Waumsley. First he delivered a whipped cross for Mitch Griffiths to head over, before the striker worked Dan Reid with a low strike and then rolled the rebound wide.
Overall, the two sides pretty much cancelled each other out – and neither could feel aggrieved at the goalless scoreline.
It was a different game after the interval, with Rayment’s double substitution paid instant dividends. A McGovern strike was palmed out by keeper Reid and found its way to Hodge, who delivered for Waumsley to head the opener clinically into the bottom corner.
Number two followed 13 minutes later – and was perhaps a better finish. McGovern and Lewis Webb combined expertly to deliver for Waumsley, who guided another header into the far top corner from ten yards to effectively seal the points.
Waumsley could’ve had a hat-trick too, having raced clear down the right moments later. But he snatched at the chance and the ball rolled wide of the far corner.
Drayton had a few chances to pull a goal back, with the best of them seeing lively winger Joseph Wooley nod wide at the near post following a wonderful delivery from Michael O’Reilly.
There was still time for Askey to be sent off for two quick yellows, awarded for clattering keeperDonkin and then pulling man-of-the-match Waumsley’s shirt.
A tough trip to seventh-placed Gresley is next for Spalding on Tuesday night (7.45pm), with Rayment facing a few selection dilemmas.
On-loan keeper Donkin has been recalled by Corby Town, meaning that Alex Pycock could make a rare appearance between the sticks should Michael Duggan not recover from his rib injury.
Defenders Nathan Stainfield and Adam Jackson should return to bolster the defence, but Rayment admits that he may have to look into making a few additions to the squad with the transfer deadline looming.
Rayment added: “Gresley are formidable at home, it’ll be tough.
“We might have some selection issues there. Nathan Stainfield will be back and Nathan Adams acquitted himself very well.
“Sam (Donkin) is going back to Corby Town, they’ve called him back. I can’t praise the lad highly enough, he’s been absolutely awesome.
“I hope we’ve given him a platform to build on and he’s got his foot in the water here with us if he ever wants to come back.
“But for next weekend we’ll have Matty Nolan and Gregg Smith suspended, Jordan Hempenstall injured and Jordan Nuttell has also gone down with an injury.
“We’ve probably got the hardest run in out of the top seven or eight teams and we’ve got suspensions and injuries on stacking up.
“We’ve got the transfer deadline looming and I’ve got to make sure I don’t, for want of a better phrase, get caught with my pants down.”
Tulips: Donkin, L Thurlbourne (Hodge 46), J Thurlbourne, Stevens, Leary, Webb, Griffiths, Hall, Smith (Adams 46), Waumsley (Simmons 90), McGovern.
Attendance: 104
RESULTS
Evo-Stik League
First Division South: Brigg Town 1 Newcastle Town 3; Carlton Town 0 Coalville Town 1; Chasetown 4 Stocksbridge Park Steels 0; Goole AFC 1 Tividale 0; Kidsgrove Athletic 0 Mickleover Sports 2; Norton United 2 Lincoln United 3; Rainworth Miners Welfare 2 Sutton Coldfield Town 1; Romulus 1 Loughborough Dynamo 1; Spalding United 2 Market Drayton Town 0; Stafford Rangers 0 Sheffield FC 0.
