Cleethorpes Town 5 Spalding United 0
Spalding United’s winless run stretched to five games as they were handed a 5-0 thumping at Lincolnshire rivals Cleethorpes Town on Saturday.
However, three Cleethorpes goals in the closing stages of the BetVictor NPL South East Division derby did offer a false impression to the overall pattern of the game.
In extremely blustery conditions with the wind blowing fiercely down the length of the pitch, the Tulips went in at the interval trailing 1-0 after Harry Middleton‘s 17th-minute strike – and were confident of turning the game in their favour.
Unfortunately plans did not turn out as expected, although it was not until the hour mark that The Owls extended their advantage with Ross Hannah slotting in a penalty conceded by Keegan Everington, who was playing in an unusual centre back role.
The Tulips, with an average age of just 21, continued to battle and carved out a few scoring opportunities of their own.
But a total lack of concentration in the final exchanges of the game presented the home side with three gift goals.
Skipper Alex Flett starting the rout (80), before Jon Oglesby hitting the target within a minute and Sam Topliss (86) rounding off proceedings.
As anticipated, facing the full force of the strong wind in the first half the Tulips were subjected to considerable pressure.
But with some dogged defending and solid goalkeeping by Michael Duggan, they kept the hounds at bay.
Even after going behind in the 17th minute they stuck rigidly to the task in hand.
On 28 minutes, new Spalding signing Lewis Smith broke smartly down the right wing and pinged the ball over to the far side of the home team penalty area to find Kevin Bastos and Giaunluca Bucci.
Some neat inter passing took place before Bastos’ shot was blocked and cleared by former Tulip Paul Walker.
Smith then combined with Scott Floyd, whose shot was well saved by the keeper.
Just before the break Duggan was in full flight to deny Hannah with a superb fingertip, turning the ball just over the crossbar.
Midway in the second half the dangerous Hannah was also denied by the crossbar.
The Tulips were constantly involved, until the defence switched off to gift The Owls with three goals in quick succession – including a stunner from Oglesby.
The loss leaves Spalding down in 15th spot.
Tulips: Duggan, Woodcock, Hugo, Bucci, Everington, Yeomans, Bastos (Richards 84), Floyd, Couzens (Burrell 84), Jackson, L Smith (Liversedge 76). Not used: Ramsden, Patterson.
Attendance: 390
