Wisbech Town 1
Spalding United 1
Spalding United picked up a third 1-1 draw from as many Ev0-Stik League East Division matches this season as they were held by Wisbech Town on Monday.
Gary King’s early goal put the Tulips ahead at the Fenland Stadium, but Danny Setchell levelled from the spot just before the break.
Setchell was sent off in the second half, but Spalding couldn’t find the winner their play deserved.
Club captain King gave his team a third-minute lead at Wisbech , poking the ball home from a goalmouth melee, writes RAY TUCKER.
But they were unable to build on this advantage, even when the home side had Setchell sent off on the hour for landing a punch on young Tulips full-back Scott Floyd.
Within a minute of King’s goal, Mettam headed over the target following a Danny Brooks corner.
The usually reliable Jordan Lemon, who it must be said, had another good game, missed out after rounding on a Tom Siddons cross, beaten by an alert Dan Swan in the home goal.
Wisbech, who had been active in mounting attacks but without unduly troubling Michael Duggan, were back on level terms on 34minutes – albeit thanks to a dubious penalty decision for handball by Ben Davison.
Setchell stepped up to give Duggan no chance from 12 yards.
In the dying minutes of the half King failed to connect with a near perfect cross by Lemon with the goal at his mercy. Then Davison was denied by the woodwork with a crisp header.
The Tulips were without the inspirational Neal Spafford for the second half, rendered unfit with mild concussion by physio Richard Storey, after a heavy first half challenge.
Spalding’s woes continued with Mettam failing miserably from a delightful flick into the area by Danny Brooks.
Siddons then fired straight at keeper Swan after working hard to beat off some strong challenges, while substitute Jonny Lockie fired over the bar after an excellent wing romp.
Boss Chris Rawlinson said: “You’d usually be happy with an away derby point on Bank Holiday weekend.
“But I think we created enough chances to win three games. I’m not knocking Wisbech, but it’s certainly a case of two points dropped from our point of view.”
“It was also a soft penalty against us, I think the referee overruled the assistant who, for me, was better positioned.
“That’s football, some go for you, some don’t.”
Tulips: Duggan, Floyd, Hugo, King (White 80), Humble, Spafford (Zuerner 46), Lemon, Brooks, Siddons, Mettam (Lockie 67), Davison. Not used: Sanders.
Attendance: 337
