Market Drayton Town 0
Spalding United 4
Pat Rayment saluted a job well done as his play-off chasing Spalding United side ticked off another three points in the race for promotion on Saturday.
Saturday’s win over struggling hosts Market Drayton elevated the Tulips up to fourth in Evo-Stik League First Division South with just six games left to play.
Goals from Mitch Griffiths (7), Tom Waumsley (73) and Jamie Thurlbourne (77) eased Spalding into a 3-0 lead, before John Beckett’s own goal completed the rout with nine minutes left.
Rayment felt that his side should have won by a greater margin, but was just happy to dodge another banana skin.
“It was a bit of a weird one,” admitted the ex-Peterborough United professional. “Obviously, I’m very happy with a 4-0 win.
“But it could have been any score – 10-3 would have been a fair reflection.
“We should really have been out of sight by half time, which I think encouraged them a bit and they rallied.
“Once Jamie Thurlbourne came on, things changed. He did what only he can.
“Overall I have to be very happy with this result, following on from a good draw against Mickleover.
“It sets us up very nicely for the two tough games over the Easter period.”
In difficult windy conditions, the Tulips were good value for their win with recent new recruit Dan Banister outstanding at right back and picking up the man-of-the- award, writes RAY TUCKER.
Although only scoring one goal in the opening period, Spalding were dominant throughout – with keeper Michael Duggan only really featuring in the action in the closing minutes as the home team battled for half-time parity.
Griffiths’ seventh-minute opener was a real gem, as he produced a perfect close-range finish following a neat overhead pass into the area by Waumsley.
Shortly afterwards Nathan Stainfield’s header from a Lee Beeson corner rebounded from a tangled heap of defender and goalkeeper for another flag kick – and from that only a fine reflex save by keeper Danny Read denied Griffiths his second, Lewis Webb the assisting player with a neat flick-on.
When the home side did venture out of their own half they met the formidable defensive line of Banister, Jamie Stevens, Stainfield and Adam Jackson, with the midfield support of Beeson, Chris Hall and Webb was available with a helping hand.
Banister was always willing to make runs down the right side – and from one foray in the 30th minute he released Waumsley, whose excellent shot was edged away from the target at the expense of a corner.
The home side’s best period of the game came in the closing minutes of the opening half when, twice in quick succession, they tested keeper Duggan.
The opening exchanges of the second half saw Drayton continue to battle, but it was hard work with the Tulips now having advantage of the blustery conditions.
Their resolve was finally broken in the 71st minute when a defensive mix-up following a full-blooded attacking sequence from Spalding was fully exploited by Waumsley, who gave Read no chance.
Four minutes later Jamie Thurlbourne, who had replaced Griffiths, whipped a fine 20-yard free kick into the back of the net.
The scoring was complete when Beckett attempted to clear a Banister cross, but only succeeded in planting the ball firmly into his own net.
Tulips: Duggan, Banister, Jackson, Stevens, N Stainfield, Webb, Beeson, Hall, Waumsley (Adams 80), Vieria (Nolan 46), Griffiths (J Thurlbourne 73). Not used: Leary, Pycock.
MOTM: Banister.
Attendance: 81.
