ALVECHURCH 1
SPALDING UNITED 2
Ben Davison made a triumphant return to action after injury to score a double that secured Spalding United victory over promotion-chasing Alvechurch on their home patch at Lye Meadow on Saturday.
Davison’s last full game for the Tulips was against Frickley on March 3 before being sidelined with a groin injury – but he returned with a vengeance to hit Alvechurch with two tremendous headed goals (19 and 84 minutes) from his central midfield position.
It was also a day for celebration for vice-captain Neal Spafford, who led his side to victory on his 100th appearance for the club.
Spalding’s display full of honest endeavour, tenacity, determination and no uncertain measure of skills made certain that the Evo-Stik NPL First Division South points winged their way back to
Spalding to maintain their bid of finishing the season in a highly respectable top ten position.
The victory sees the Tulips move on to 39 points, one point from the magic 40 point figure that should secure their safety for another year.
Alvechurch, as expected, set the early pace with frequent attacks, but got little change from a Spalding defence which is growing in strength and understanding game by game.
But it was the Tulips who drew first blood, silencing the 171 home crowd, with a goal of real class.
Breaking from defence with some fluid and neat passing down the left side, young Lincoln city loanee James Hugo made the final burst down the line to cross the ball with precision to the far post, where Davison arrived to rise above the defence to power in a header which left keeper Charlie Price rooted to the spot.
Only a brave save at the feet of the eager Davison mid-way through the opening half, prevented the home side from slipping further behind.
But they stepped up the pressure. The 35th minute saw Kern Miller hoof the ball clear from the near post following a corner and minutes later it was keeper Michael Duggan who confidently collected the ball from the head of Aaron Lloyd.
He was then perfectly positioned to clutch a good 25-yard drive from the tricky Yusifu Ceesay.
Alvechurch were back on level terms on the hour, with skipper Ashley Carter – who was later red-carded for retaliating to a Matt Varley challenge – smashing home a 20-yard free kick.
Five minutes later home keeper Price did well amid considerable goalmouth pressure, to save from Cenk Acar, and play continued to be from end to end.
But it was to be the Tulips day with their lead restored in the 84th minute, this time Davison getting to the end of a Danny Brooks corner to head the ball firmly into the net.
Just a minute later Price was at full stretch to keep out Brooks’ sizzling low drive from 25 yards.
Alvechurch’s Carter received his marching orders in the first of five minutes of time added on by referee Blake Antrobus.
The Tulips, however, held out manfully to celebrate a job well done.
Spalding visit Gresley on Thursday night (7.45pm).
Tulips: Duggan, Miller, Hugo (Walker 62, Fixter 71), Varley, Humble, Spafford, Marshall, Brooks, White (Couzens 66), Davison, Acar. Subs: Not used: Lockie, Smith.
Attendance: 171
