Spalding United 0
Sheffield FC 0
Michael Duggan kept a clean sheet on his 150th Spalding United appearance in an otherwise unremarkable goalless draw with Sheffield FC on Saturday.
In a game that saw more yellow cards dished out than there was goalmouth action, the Tulips at least extended their unbeaten run in Evo-Stik NPL Division One South to two games after the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field stalemate.
Spalding have now dropped out of the play-off places for the first time in months with Basford United leapfrogging them into fifth position, but that is only on goal difference.
Tulips chief Marcus Ebdon admitted that the game was dour and rated the draw with the world’s oldest football club as a bad point for his promotion-chasing charges.
He did reserve praise stalwart keeper Duggan, though, who was given a special award by the club prior to kick-off.
Ebdon said: “I’d have to say it was a bad point. Wasn’t a game for the purist, was it?
“They had one shot of note and we had one shot of note, that’s about it. I think if we’d have played another 90 minutes, none of us would have scored.
“It was a bit of a dour game, if I’m honest. I can’t really have any complaints with the scoreline.
“The positives are that it’s another clean sheet for us and another point. Having lost five on the bounce we’ve now won one and drawn one, so there’s another positive.
“Michael Duggan didn’t have much to do – I think I could have played in goal today actually!
“But reaching 150 games for the club is a great achievement and it’s nice for him to mark it woth a clean sheet.
“To spend four and a half years with one non-league club, these days, is very rare and he should be congratulated for that.”
Although no pitch inspection was needed at the Sir Halley, the pitch was once again very heavy – putting both teams up against it from the off.
Spalding handed Charley Sanders a rare start having impressed in recent weeks as a substitute, while they also named Jordan Thomas on the bench following his dual registration deal with Holbeach United.
But, in truth, no attacking player really stamped their mark on what was one of the most low key games seen at Spalding’s old ground in recent years.
It took around 20 minutes for either side to muster an attempt on target. It was hosts Spalding who fashioned the first chance when Sanders found a pocket of space on the left-hand side, but keeper Tom Dunn saved relatively easily.
At the other end, Duggan had to be alert to turn a goal-bound cross from Sheffield’s Ben Turner over his crossbar in what was his only workout of the half.
Indeed, the most exciting moment of the opening 45 minutes was scuffle that involved the majority of the players.
It was pretty much handbags as Ashley Worsfield and Spalding’s Neal Spafford clashed following a physical encounter, with both players and Sheffield’s Anton Foster ending up in the book.
Dan Banister was also booked before the break for a late lunge, while a mazy run and speculative strike from Josh Moreman resulted in Dunn making another pretty routine save.
The second half was just as tame. Moreman (dissent) and Benny Igiehon from the away side took the bookings tally up to six, before Spalding had perhaps their best chance of the game.
It came from a Dan Lawlor corner, but man-of-the-match Spafford was unable to keep his header down and the ball just cleared the crossbar.
Sheffield also threatened from a set play as Conor Glavin saw his back-post header kicked off the line by Moreman, moments before the Tulips striker was spared a second yellow card for a late lunge by an otherwise very harsh referee.
The only exciting moment of an otherwise drab second half came 15 minutes from time when Adam Jackson, who had a fine game at left back, saw a 30-yard lob saved on the line by a scrambling Dunn.
It was a great effort by Jackson on his weaker right foot, but an equally fine save from a keeper who redeemed himself following a weak punch that had created the opening for the hosts.
Despite handing Thomas his second Spalding debut, the hosts never really looked like scoring in the closing stages as both sides settled for a share of the spoils.
Tulips: Duggan, Walker (Humble 90), Jackson, Spafford, Stainfield, Banister, Davies (Thomas 68), Murphy, Sanders (Graham 72), Lawlor, Moreman. Not used: Lee, Waumsley.
Jack Goddard’s MOTM: Spafford.
Attendance: 118.
RESULTS
Evo-Stik NPL
Division One South: Basford United 3 Loughborough Dynamo 2; Carlton Town 0 Romulus 2; Chasetown 2 Lincoln United 2; Coalville Town 3 Belper Town 2; Leek Town 0 Shaw Lane Aquaforce 1; Market Drayton Town 3 Gresley 0; Newcastle Town 3 Goole AFC 2; Rugby Town 1 Tividale 1; Spalding United 0 Sheffield FC 0; Stafford Rangers 0 Kidsgrove Athletic 3; Stocksbridge Park Steels 3 Daventry Town 2.
