Spalding United 4 Yaxley 2
Brett Whaley has declared himself happy with Spalding United’s start to the Pitching In NPL Midlands Division season after they ended August unbeaten in the league and fifth in the standings.
Bank Holiday Monday’s 4-2 win over Yaxley at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field made it three wins and two draws for the Tulips, with only an Emirates FA Cup defeat to Stamford blotting their early-season copybook.
Spalding had to work hard against rock-bottom Yaxley, coming from 2-1 down to eventually clinch the points with goals from Stefan Broccoli (3), Elliot Sandy (61), Nathan Stainfield (73) and Toby Hilliard (87).
Ex-Tulip Tom Waumsley had earlier wiped out Broccoli’s early goal with a double (16 & 60) that put the Cuckoos into a shock lead.
Spalding, who also drew 1-1 at Coleshill Town last Saturday (see page 28), now have a weekend off due to their FA Cup exit and Whaley reckons it comes at a good time for his side.
He said: “I think the early months in this league are all about trying to gel your side together and get points on the board.
“So when I look at the table and see we’ve got 11 points from five games I’m pretty happy.
“We want to be batting at the top end and we’re currently in and around the play-offs, so I’d have taken that.
“It has been more solid than spectacular as far as I’m concerned, but that’s to be expected – it’s a busy period.
“I’m happy with how things are coming together and it’s perhaps a blessing we have a free weekend ahead given how busy we’ve been in August.”
Despite being happy with Spalding’s season so far, Whaley wasn’t overly impressed with what he saw against Yaxley.
The Tulips were hot favourites to beat a side that only have one point on the board so far this season, but made hard work of it.
Ex-Wisbech Town chief Whaley felt his charges were never in control of the clash and was crtical of the amount of long balls they played.
But, although he insisted that the Tulips must improve going forward, the boss was at least pleased with the final score.
“I’m pleased that we won but it wasn’t a great performance,” added Whaley. “What disappointed me was the lack of control on our part.
“I wasn’t expecting a easy game, Yaxley have had some surprisingly bad results but I know what they’re about and it’s a good group.
“I think we were too eager to hook the ball forward hopefully and played far too many balls from front to back.
“Even when we got ahead, I never really thought that we were in control of the game at any point.
“It wasn’t awful, don’t get me wrong, and I’m of course very happy with the win.
“But if we want to be battling at the top, the performances need to improve.”
The Tulips are back in action at Dereham Town on Tuesday night (7.45pm).
Tulips: Duggan, Clifton, Apindia, Marshall, Stainfield, Cartwright, Jones, Broccoli, Sandy (Hilliard 77), Rolt (Edge 71), O’Brien (Sparrow 70). Not used: Spencer, Draper.
Attendance: 231.
