Stocksbridge Park Steels 2
Spalding United 1
A second-half stunner from Stocksbridge Park Steels’ Corey Gregory sentenced Spalding United to a fifth successive defeat in Evo-Stik League First Division South on Saturday.
Gregory fired a cracker into the top corner 23 minutes from time to ensure the Tulips’ miserable recent form continued.
Returning top scorer Josh Moreman had earlier hauled Spalding level with his 11th league goal of the campaign on the stroke of half time, with Joe Lumsden (37) having opened the scoring for the hosts.
The Tulips remain fourth and in the play-off places despite their recent defeats, but they are remarkably just five points above 15th-placed Rugby Town in a tight table.
Spalding supremo Marcus Ebdon said: “I thought our performance was slightly better than in recent weeks.
“In the end, I was pretty disappointed not to get a draw. We had quite a few chances to level at the end of the game and an individual error cost us a goal.
“But we simply must improve. We’re a better side than our recent form suggests, but we’re playing with no confidence at all.”
Despite the amount of rain which had descended over the Midlands in recent weeks, the playing surface at the Local Look Stadium was in pristine condition.
More rain tumbled down throughout Saturday’s game, but when the action had ceased you would have hardly noticed that it had been pounded for more than 90 minutes.
The Steels were the more dominant of the two teams in the opening half, playing good passing football at pace.
But the Tulips, although under pressure, defended well – with Dan Banister an inspiration in the midfield.
He was the first to get a shot on target in the opening exchanges, forcing keeper David Reay into a good low down save from his 25-yards strike.
There was a set-back for the Tulips on 16 minutes when central defender Neal Spafford limped off with a calf injury. Ellis Humble was an able replacement.
Midway through the first period Moreman, back in the squad after a three-match absence through suspension, ducked and weaved to get a solid shot away which also tested Raey.
The visiting defence was stretched on 33 minutes with another swift moving sequence by the Steels, but Jack Poulton’s resulting shot flew just wide of the target.
Tulips’ keeper Michael Duggan was twice in the thick of the action in the following moments, but was finally beaten on 37 minutes by Lumsden, who added the vital finish to a neat pass from playmaker Gregory.
Spalding were soon level, however, as Moreman marked his return in typical style. Dan Lawlor neatly chipped the ball over the defence and the speedy striker gave chase, side-stepping a couple of back markers before levelling the scores via the woodwork in the final minute of the half.
Stocksbridge rallied after the break and ten minutes into the second period Poulton’s effort rebounded off the woodwork to safety.
At the other end, midfield duo Lawlor and Banister got in good shots for the Tulips.
But it was the hosts who moved back ahead when Gregory buried a stunner on 67 minutes.
He took possession of the ball down the right touchline and whipped the ball into the top corner with venom, to restore the Steels lead.
Tulips chief Ebdon made a double substitution with 15 minutes to go as Charley Sanders and Jonny Lockie replaced Jamie Graham and Tom Waumsley.
This heralded possibly the brightest period the game for the Tulips.
The lively Lockie will be disappointed not to have notched his debut goal for the team when failing to connect with Sanders’ cross at the far post.
Sanders also had a shot blocked on the line and skipper Nathan Stainfield’s header from a corner was cleared from the line in the closing minutes, but Spalding couldn’t find a leveller as they tasted defeat once again.
Tulips: Duggan, Walker, Jackson, Spafford (Humble 16), Stainfield, Lee, Banister, Lawlor, Waumsley (Lockie 72), Graham (Sanders 72), Moreman. Not used: Hussey.
Attendance: 113.
