Basford United 1
Spalding United 0
Spalding United slipped to their fourth defeat from their last five Evo-Stik NPL First Division South fixtures as a late Fabian Smith strike gave hosts Basford United a narrow victory on Saturday.
The defences of both teams were prominent throughout a very tight and closely contested game on a bitterly cold afternoon in Nottinghamshire, with scoring opportunities few and far between on the new 3G pitch.
However, when the opening came it was the home side who added the three points to their tally thanks to Smith’s opportunist strike 16 minutes from the end of the clash.
Spalding supremo Dave Frecklington said: “We did everything right, I felt a loss was little unfair on the lads.
“They scored from their first shot on target, which just seems to be how it’s going at the moment.
“Michael Duggan held his hands up after the game, he should have done better on their goal. But we move on.
“There are plenty of positives we can take from the game – none more so than having Neal Spafford and Brad Barraclough back in the squad.”
There was plenty of positive news for the Tulips before a ball was kicked.
Back in the Tulips’ line-up after a long spell out injured was central defender Neal Spafford, while skipper Nathan Stainfield was also back after missing the previous game against Stockbridge Park Steels.
Also returning, as a substitute, was striker Bradley Barraclough, who has not featured since the pre-season when he was injured in the game against Boston Town, and midfielder Nathan Whitehead following a three-match suspension.
After a settling in period on the plastic surface it was the Tulips who made the only threat on goal with Jordan Lemon collecting a precision cross by Cenk Acar and forcing a save from home keeper Saul Deeney with a low shot.
Deeney also managed to thwart Bradley Wells, but that was as good as it got by way of goalmouth action.
The second half followed a similar pattern with both defences on top until Basford managed to break the deadlock and then hold out for a victory that neither side really deserved.
Following a corner situation, Tulips’ goalkeeper Michael Duggan twice cleared his lines with solid punched clearances.
Unfortunately, the second was intercepted by Smith – who was afforded just enough space to volley the ball home from a narrow angle just inside the area.
The goal livened up proceedings, with the Tulips charging forward in search of an equalising goal.
Basford’s defence stood firm, although substitute Jack Wightwick was only inches away with a close range shot that ended up in the side netting.
Moments earlier appeals for a penalty were brushed aside by referee Abbas Khan when Sam Downey (a 71st minute replacement for the injured Acar) was sent tumbling in the area.
That was as good as it got for the Tulips, who will be hoping that their recent blip doesn’t drag on and derail their season.
Tulips: Duggan, Walker, Gatter, Varley, Stainfield, Spafford (Wightwick 81), Lemon, Whitehead, Wells, Griffiths, Acar (Downey 68). Not used: Moyses, Barraclough, Fleming.
Attendance: 112
