Spalding United 2
Stocksbridge PS 3
The absence of talismanic skipper Nathan Stainfield loomed large as Spalding United slipped to their fourth Evo-Stik NPL Division One South defeat of the season on Saturday.
Goals from Harrison Biggins (28) and Adam Hinchcliffe (43) put mid-table Stocksbridge Park Steels in command at half time in the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field clash – but Bradley Wells (46) got the Tulips back into the game early in the second period.
However, Joe Lumsden (67) restored Stocksbridge’s two-goal advantage – rendering Chris Hamilton’s injury-time header as mere consolation.
Tulips boss Dave Frecklington said: “It wasn’t a great performance, but I was happy with the effort and commitment from the lads.
“Sadly, individual errors cost us dear again. Both Sam Downey and Paul Walker will know they should have done better for their goals.
“With us having such a small squad, losing Nathan Stainfield before the match is a tough blow to take. We’ve managed without one or two, but to be without five players was too much for us.
“We could have done better on all three goals. They were clinical, scoring three of probably four chances on the day.
“We were always going to have a blip at some stage of the season – and we’re in it now. It’s up to us to cut out the errors and get back on track.
Stainfield “tweaked” his neck in the midweek Integro League Cup win at Carlton Town and was unable to feature, while his central defensive partner Charlie Gatter was forced to play wearing a protective mask, having broken his nose in the same game.
Despite the shuffling of players to fill the void created by Stainfield, the Tulips enjoyed a good opening 15 minutes with some promising inter-passing play – but without troubling visiting keeper David Reay.
However, once settled Stocksbridge began to pull the majority of strings and Lumsden tested the resolve of Michael Duggan in the home goal.
The Tulips breezed in and out of the game with captain for the day Wells working hard for a breakthrough.
On one mazy run he was brought down just outside the visitors area, but Jack Wightwick’s free kick was comfortably cleared.
Midway through the first half a flowing move saw the ball pinged around the Stocksbridge goal area before Cenk Acar ballooned the ball over the bar.
But the 28th minute saw Stocksbridge take the lead.
The Tulips failed to deal with a long throw into their area and Biggins gave Duggan no chance with a well-struck volley from 18 yards.
This was the signal for the visitors to stamp more authority on the game and two minutes before the interval they exploited another defensive lapse with Hinchcliffe afforded a simple tap in opportunity to extend their lead.
The Tulips had an explosive start to the second half with a goal inside the first minute. Breaking straight from the re-start Wells was faced with a 50/50 situation with Reay but coolly chipped the ball over the keeper’s head from the six-yard line to reduce arrears.
Within minutes the diminutive Wightwick missed a golden opportunity to level the scores when steering his close range shot wide of the target.
Then Sam Downey was just beaten to Acar’s deft cross by keeper Reay.
The Tulips’ battle for parity however, took another blow on 68 minutes when the ever alert Lumsden pounced on another defensive slip to restore the visitors two-goal margin.
The Tulips mounted a late rally, but it was not until the second minute of added time that substitute Hamilton arrived at the far post to make certain that Wells’ goal-bound header went into the net.
Before the game a moment of silence was observed to the memory of United Counties League legend, registration director and press officer Jeremy Biggs who died on Wednesday, aged 55.
A Tulips statement said: “During his 30-odd years involvement in non-league football, Jeremy built up a wealth of knowledge which he was always ready to pass on to anyone who asked.
“He made a habit of visiting every ground in the UCL each season, including the Sir Halley Stewart Field.
“He will be greatly missed by many.”
Tulips: Duggan, Lemon, Field, Varley, Walker, Gatter, Griffiths (Hamilton 72), Downey, Wells, Wightwick (Lockie 64), Acar. Not used: Fleming.
Sponsors’ MOTM (The Two Old Boys): Lemon.
Attendance: 112
