Spalding United 2
Gresley 2
BY RAY TUCKER
A hotly-disputed last minute penalty presented visiting Gresley with a share of the Evo-Stik NPL First Division South points on Saturday as Spalding United were denied a deserved win.
The Tulips were left to rue the number of scoring opportunities they spurned, particularly in the first half, which they dominated to such a degree that goalkeeper Michael Duggan did not have a save to make.
They went in 1-0 ahead at half time thanks to Nathan Whitehead’s early goal – and looked to be coasting to victory when top scorer Bradley Wells doubled their advantage on the hour.
However, Courtney Meade halved the deficit on 69 minutes and a dubious 90th minute penalty was tucked away by Pearson Mwanyongo to ensure the spoils were shared.
To rub salt into Spalding’s collective wounds, Neal Spafford was sent off after picking up a second yellow card for the handball which conceded the spot-kick.
The draw did keep the Tulips top of the table on Saturday night, though.
Boss Dave Frecklington said: “It was another fantastic performance from the boys, we were very dominant.
“This league will punish you though, so credit to Gresley.”
In front of a decent crowd of 205 fans at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field, Spalding were out of the blocks quickly and gained early reward when Whitehead got a firm
head behind Jordan Lemon’s deep cross in the third minute.
Minutes later match sponsors Kirk Homes man-of-the-match Cenk Acar found skipper Nathan Stainfield with a neat flick into the Gresley area, but keeper Robert Peet saved well.
The shot stopper was equally impressive to deny Andy Wright, who had dashed into the area at the end of a left side movement.
Acar, the young Lincoln City loanee, had a super game and was a constant worry for the visiting defenders with his tricky and speedy play down the right side.
Further chances came and went for the Tulips, but to their credit Gresley defended well amid the intense pressure.
Wells, the league’s leading marksman, missed a real gift on 52 minutes when faced with an open goal, but he went on to make amends with a clinical finish on the hour.
But with their first shot of the game Gresley reduced arrears on 69 minutes.
Ex-Holbeach United forward Meade punished a rare mistake by Lemon, to cut in and fire home, although the ball ricoched from one post to the other before crossing the line.
Inspired, Gresley began to feature more frequently on the attack, but it was a stroke of good fortune when the referee awarded them a last minute penalty for a very dubious hand ball offence by Spafford.
Mwanyongo duly scored from the spot to ensure that both sides remained unbeaten in the league.
The Tulips host Rugby Town tonight (Tuesday, 7.45pm).
Tulips: Duggan, Lemon, Walker, Varley (Cullingworth 83), Stainfield, Spafford, Acar (Lockie 85), Whitehead, Wells (Longville-Daley 86), Downey, Wright. Not used: Hamilton, Vince.
MOTM: Acar.
Attendance: 205.
