Spalding United 0
Market Drayton Town 1
By RAY TUCKER
Spalding United slipped to their third defeat on the spin as they were made to rue a host of missed opportunities on Saturday.
In a high-energy BetVictor NPL South East Division encounter with Market Drayton Town there was plenty for supporters to get excited about despite the 1-0 home defeat.
The Tulips played their part to the full, but were unable to get the ball into the opposition goal and were chasing the game from the 18th minute at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field when the lively Reuben Gardner-McIntosh slid the ball in at the far post after controlling Harvey Howell’s low cross from the left wing.
Only minutes earlier, Kegan Everington’s well-struck drive from 25 yards grazed the crossbar and a Jamie Jackson header was inches off target. While at the other end Michael Duggan was at full stretch to deny Howell.
After taking the lead the visitors subjected the home defence to a period of pressure, but good defending from the back four of Taron Hare – available after his red card against Dereham Town was successfully appealed – James Hugo, Ben Richards and Neal Spafford held them at bay, while keeper Duggan was again on top form for the Tulips.
Mid-way through the opening half Scott Floyd threaded the ball through perfectly to put Jenk Acar on a clear run for goal, but he fell short in a one-on-one situation with away keeper Ashley Rawlins.
The Tulips enjoyed a good period before the interval too, with Jackson twice going close.
But they were still trailing at half-time with appeals for a handball offence in the area turned away by the referee.
A second penalty appeal ten minutes into the second half, when Jackson was sent tumbling as he entered the Drayton 18-yards area, was also denied.
The tricky Jackson continually posed a threat in and around the visiting area.
Tagging onto a long throw-in by Harem, his close-range shot clipped the outside of the post in the 70th minute.
With the closing minutes ticking away, Floyd took a neat pass from Acar in full stride but fired over the bar.
That was as good as it got for Matt Easton’s side, as they were forced to take a second-successive 1-0 league loss on the chin.
Spalding did, at least, get to hand a debut to new signing Joel Brownhill after his departure from Northwich Victoria.
Spalding are back in action at Ilkeston Town on Tuesday night (7.45pm).
Tulips: Duggan, Hare, Hugo, Floyd, Richards, Spafford, J Brownhill, Everington, Jackson (Greenwood 75), Acar, L Brownhill. Not used: Smith, Ramsden, Holliday, Frain.
Attendance: 112.
