Bart Cybuksi’s injury time winner means Spalding United go into a packed Christmas calendar looking upwards.
The 1-0 win at Alvechurch on Saturday lifted the Tulips five points above the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central relegation zone, and only six from the play off spots.
It’s ahead of four games in ten days, including three at home, starting with an eye-catching fixture that sees leaders Kettering Town visit the Sir Halley Stewart this Saturday.
Last Saturday’s win was deserved though the Tulips had to be patient to get the three points.
They had plenty of possession, particularly in the first half, Sembie-Ferris had an effort well saved while Dion Lamine Sherif went close with a header.
Just when it looked like the game might be heading for a draw in the 91st minute, a brilliant ball in by Nathan Fox was powerfully finished by Cybulski.
“It was a fantastic result,” said manager Jimmy Dean who was delighted too that his defence recorded a second successive clean sheet.
“It felt like a fantastic moment at the end celebrating with the fans who have been fantastic.
“Three of our back four are over 30 and they were playing against a team who train an extra day, yet we’ve scored at the end.
“We’ve showed our commitment to playing for each other and that’s how you win games.
“We look a proper side.
“In the first half we should have been out of sight, but we weren’t.
“Alvechurch did come back into it but we were the side that looked they could win it.
“We’ve found a way. Glen Walker’s come on and made a difference, nicking it off their full back, Fox has put in a great delivery and it’s a really good finish from big Bart. He was outstanding again.
“We can’t be successful without him.
“I’m not just going to pin it all on him , all eleven were outstanding.
The Tulips have only lost one of the last five as Dean’s new signings continue to make strides.
He paid tribute to his defenders including Fox and Liam Moore.
“We showed great pragmatism and played at the right times and in the right areas,” he continued. “When I cam in there was simple fixes needed and a buy in from the players to play as a unit.
“I think we have seen that.”
The Tulips face some tough fixtures over the festive period starting with possibly the toughest test possible.
Kettering Town visit on Saturday sitting pretty three points clear at the top of the league with a game in hand.
The Poppies beat the Tulips 4-0 early in the season, though this is a much changed Spalding team under a new manager.
Dean’s side then travel to Stamford on Boxing Day for the local derby, host Sporting Bromsgrove on Saturday December 28 and then are at home again on New Year’s Day, St Ives Town being the visitors.
All of the games are 3pm kick offs.
“It’s going to be really difficult but it’s why we do it,” said Dean who hinted he may rotate some of his players. “Playing on the 26th, 28th and the 1st, we do have to look at moving things around a bit.
“We’re not good enough to pick and choose when we’re strong and when we’re not though.
“We’ll see what we can do.”
He also urged the fans to back them. At home they’ve been fantastic and we haven’t but they’ll see a side that will give it their all.
“We’ll try and run through a brick wall for them.
Tulips: Breedon, Brown, Fox, Moore, Cartwright, Lawlor, Sembie-Ferris, Sherif, Cybulski, Freeman, Nyahema. Subs: Hudson, Hilliard, Walker, Lesgabela, Tomlinson.
Attendance: 209..
