SPALDING UNITED 1
KIDSGROVE ATH 3
By RAY TUCKER
Amid consistent drizzling rain and a very chilly atmosphere, the Sir Halley Stewart Field was not a very pleasant place on Saturday as Spalding United slipped to a 3-1 loss against fellow stugglers Kidsgrove Athletic
And unfortunately, the 78 diehard spectators (the lowest attendance of the season so far) witnessed possibly the worst game of football at the venue for a very long time.
The standard of football between two teams battling for vital Evo-Stik NPL First Division South points in the lower half of the table was abysmal and undisciplined.
Some five players, were cautioned for minor infringements, while Spalding’s newly-appointed captain Gary King was sent off for throwing a punch towards a Kidsgrove player.
It was later revealed that the offending player had spat into King’s face and instigated the ultimate response.
The early stages of the game were highly competitive and entertaining, with the Tulips generally holding the reins.
Paul Walker, on his return to the club following a brief sojourn to Boston United. was last man involved in a four-player right side movement, but under pressure from marker Alex Lingard, fired into the side netting.
Within minutes King’s free-kick from 25-yards out was pushed wide by keeper David Parton, but the pattern of the game began to change after Lee Cropper had put the visitors into the lead against the run of play.
His shot from just outside the area appeared to be going high of the target but the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Michael Duggan altered the flight direction and the ball dropped just under the crossbar.
A big midfield battle developed on the sticky playing surface with little involvement in either penalty area, although the Tulips had two promising efforts as the interval approached.
A good crossfield ball by Lee Beeson picked out the advancing Conor Marshall, but his finish lacked power.
Another swift break then saw James Tricks’ low cross just elude Cenk Acar.
The Kidsgrove lead was increased four minutes into the second half with the unfortunate Walker turned the ball into his own goal when attempting to clear Kyle Diskin’s shot.
The unsavoury side to the game, something akin to a school playground rumble, came in the 75th minute when – from nothing – there was a mass of bodies piling in on each other. The end result saw a player from each side cautioned and King sent off.
Down to ten men for the closing stages, the Tulips were hit by a third Kidsgrove goal as a sensational 30-yard strike by visiting skipper Anthony Malbon screamed into the net.
The Tulips did at least gain an element of consolation with a scrambled goal by Tricks in the fourth minute of added time.
Tulips: Duggan, Marshall (Fixter 40), Hugo, Humble, Davison, Spafford, Walker (Couzens 60), Beeson, King, Tricks, Acar (Lockie 57). Not used: Field, Smith.
Match sponsor: Turners Distribution.
Attendance: 78.
