KIDSGROVE ATH 0
SPALDING UTD 1
Spalding United turned in a five-star performance at Kidsgrove on Saturday to secure three highly valuable Evo-Stik NPL Division One South points thanks to a superbly delivered Danny Brooks free-kick on 34 minutes.
The victory was the Tulips’ first three-pointer on the road since the 2-1 triumph at Romulus way back in October – and it also ends a five-game winless run and sees Chris Rawlinson’s side gain sweet revenge for the 3-1 home defeat inflicted by Kidsgrove in January.
That Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field reverse saw newly-appointed team captain Gary King pick up a red card.
In what was his first game back from the three-game ban he picked up for the dismissal, there was an unfortunate repeat performance from Spalding’s top scorer.
King, who was a second half replacement for the injured Jonny Lockie, picked up two cautions in as many minutes – the first for needlessly kicking the ball away and the second for retaliating to a fierce tackle.
That left his team to battle out the remaining quarter of the game in challenging conditions.
The Tulips had suffered a set-back before kick-off with vice-captain Neal Spafford injured during pre-game warm up. The ever-reliable Ellis Humble stepped up from the subs bench to cover the void and Ben Davison took the skipper’s armband.
To a man, the Tulips were superb. Giving their all to achieve their aim, they did it by playing some great football, creating chances from the start and denying the home attack time and time again.
The usual threat of the home team’s strike force of Anthony Malbon and Lee Cropper got the full respect they demanded, so much so that Malbon departed the scene after just 38 minutes.
Understandably, after going a player down the pressure began to show. On a very sticky pitch, saturated by heavy overnight rain, the home side began to take advantage, but they were to be denied by the heroics of goalkeeper Michael Duggan who pulled off some super saves, particularly as the game went into over time.
Kidsgrove had the first scoring opportunity of the game after just seven minutes when the dangerous Cropper broke free, but his close-range shot was way off target.
Three minutes later Davison had the ball in the home net following a neat inter change between Tom Siddons and Conor Marshall, but the effort was disallowed for offside. Shortly afterwards
Brooks’ 30-yard free-kick was pushed away by keeper Dave Parton – and this was quickly followed by Siddons testing the keeper. Cenk Acar also went near following a trademark jinking run.
The deadlock was finally broken on 34 minutes via a dead-ball kick from just outside the area. This time the keeper stood no chance as Brooks’ strike, the ball never more than a few inches above the turf, flashed round the wall and into the sacking.
The second half saw much of the same, with the Tulips generally dictating the pattern of play.
Things got a little harder following the dismissal of King, but the scoring chances were still being created.
Matt Varley fed a good pass through to Marshall, whose shot was palmed away by Parton.
Siddons and Davison both had efforts cleared off the line by Charlie Duke, while at the other end Duggan foiled Kyle Diskin with a flying save and in added time he pulled off two more spectacular saves to keep a clean sheet and complete a memorable victory for the team.
That ensured that it was a very happy ride home from the Potteries for the Tulips, who edge further away from the dread drop zone as a result.
Spalding will hope to edge further clear of the drop zone when they host Frickley Athletic on Tuesday night (7.45pm).
Tulips: Duggan, Fixter, Hugo, Varley, Davison, Humble, Marshall, Brooks, Siddons (White 84), Lockie (King 46), Acar. Not used: Smith.
Attendance: 85.
MOTM: Marshall.
