Spalding United 0
Morpeth Town 4
Matt Easton admitted that his Spalding United side are lacking in confidence after seeing them go down 4-0 at home to Evo-Stik Division One East leaders Morpeth Town on Saturday.
Goals from Sean Taylor (4), Adam Burnicle (37), Tom Potter (71) and sub Wayne Phillips (85) ensured that Morpeth were handsome winners at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field, as Spalding’s search for a first league win of the season dragged on.
New boss Easton, who was overseeing his first home game as permanent boss, felt his side should have had a penalty in the first half when Jonny Lockie’s shot was handled on the line.
He also thought his Tulips created a few decent openings, but accepted that high-flying Morpeth showed the kind of belief and cutting edge that his side are currently lacking.
The defeat comes hot on the heels of another 4-0 loss at Stamford, meaning the impressive 1-1 draw at Ossett Town the previous weekend now feels a distant memory.
Easton said: “The last three games have all been tough – and it was a bit damage limitation for us today, if I’m honest.
“We ended up going a little bit ragged, but did create a few chances – good chances too – at the start of the second half.
“They scored with their first real chance and that was that, they were ruthless.
“Morpeth have obviously played with each other for a while and they just know how each other plays. We are only at the start of that process.
“Trying to put a positive spin on two 4-0 defeats on the spin is difficult, but I think we’ve probably played three of the best teams in the league on the trot.
“We probably have to look at October and think that we need to start picking up wins now.
“It’s hard, confidence is quite low because we’ve not won yet. When you see our lads, they can knock the ball about a bit – but then we start to panic a little bit. Morpeth knocked the ball around, but they were confident.
“That was the difference between the teams. The confidence will either come, or we’ll have to change the personnel. It’s as simple as that, really.
“I wasn’t to disheartened by how we played going forward and we did create a few chances – we also should have had a penalty.
“The referee and linesman both gave it, but then they had a chat and decided not to. It was all a bit weird. I don’t know if it hit their lad on the arm and I don’t think the officials could be sure either.
“But when they both say it did hit him, you expect a penalty and a sending off – and then the game is a bit different.
“Using that excuse is papering over the cracks a little bit, though. We need a couple of players and we’ve got approaches in for them. If we get them, things should improve.
“We also need to get on the training ground and get things right, we’ve not trained with any of the new lads or in the new system.
“In reality, when I took over we had Ossett, Stamford and Morpeth first up. We’re not a confident group at the moment and all three of those were flying.
“It was a tough ask for us to get wins. The point at Ossett is probably a point nobody expected us to get, but the 4-0 losses have taken the shine off that.
“But the truth is, you shouldn’t get beaten 4-0.”
Morpeth, who made the long trip down from the North East, showed no signs of rustiness early on.
Liam Henderson smashed a great early chance over at the near post, before Taylor opened the scoring when he smashed home Michael Turner’s cross from the left on five minutes.
The visitors continued to look the sharper side and almost went 2-0 up when Potter wriggled free on the right. His hooked cross was nodded over his own bar by Kern Miller, saving a certain goal in the process.
Spalding thought that they’d levelled on 20 minutes when Gary King’s free-kick was spilled by the keeper and into the path of Lockie.
His strike was cleared off the line by what looked like a hand, but play was stopped when the assistant referee flagged. The Tulips were appealing for a goal and handball, but just a corner was given.
A lull followed, before Morpeth doubled their lead in clinical fashion. Striker Burnicle was given the freedom of the penalty area to pick out the bottom left scorner of Michael Duggan’s net.
The Tulips fashioned a great chance in the opening exchanges of the second half, but George Zuerner lashed well wide from just inside the box following clever play from Jack Brownell and Gary King.
At the other end, Duggan was called into action once again as he expertly tipped Burnicle’s powerful drive over the bar after the frontman got free on the left.
Morpeth were always the better side and should really have added to their tally when Burnicle again burst clear on the left and squared for skipper Ben Sayer, who slotted wide when it seemed certain he’d cap a classy display with a goal.
Sayer was involved in goal number three, however. His shot was superbly saved by Duggan, but Potter was first to the rebound and slammed home the clincher from close range.
The fourth was almost a carbon copy, with Duggan once again denying Potter after a winding run. This time, sub Phillips was on hand to bury the rebound, albeit from a slightly tougher angle.
Spalding, who are now second from bottom, host Carlton Town in their next game on Tuesday night (7.45pm).
Tulips: Duggan, Marshall, Hugo, Miller, Spafford, Fixter (Brownell 46), Floyd (White 46), Everington, King, Zuerner (Brooks 56), Lockie. Not used: Humble, Waters.
Attendance: 135.
Sponsors’ MOTM: Gary King.
