Spalding United 2
Norton United 1
A second-half free kick from Jack McGovern fired Spalding United to another impressive Evo-Stik League First Division South success on Saturday.
The Tulips had fallen behind to an early stunner from Glynn Blackhurst (7), but man-of-the-moment Tom Waumsley (26) struck again to haul them level at half time.
Midfield maestro McGovern then curled home a fine 22-yard free kick on 57 minutes to earn Spalding a richly-deserved three points against a side that knocked them out of the FA Cup earlier in the season.
The victory leaves Pat Rayment’s side in seventh place in the standings – and the Spalding supremo feels his side are really starting to gather momentum.
He said: “That was a game that, five weeks ago, we’d have lost. Take nothing away from the lads though, we deserved to win the match.
“Except for Michael Duggan’s incredible save, we were very much on top. We had one-on-ones – but also looked very solid, which is the most encouraging thing.
“If we can continue to be strong and solid, we’ll always create chances with the attacking talent we have.
“We needed to put some distance between us and them in the table as they have games in hand.
“But we also want to put ourselves out there as the team to beat. I can tell you now, King’s Lynn Town were 19 points behind Coalville and still went on to win this league the other year.
“I’ve always said that there’s quite a few teams in this league that can go up. I’m not going to lament points we’ve dropped in the past, but we could have been higher.
“At this moment in time we’re just gaining momentum and we’re getting stronger and stronger – and every manager and team in this league will know about it.”
After a quiet start on a foggy day at the Sir Halley, the Tulips were stunned by one of the best goals seen at the old ground this season.
After a period of Norton pressure, Blackhurst somehow volleyed the ball into the far top corner from a pretty tough angle on the right-hand side. His strike left top shot-stopper Michael Duggan motionless – and left the hosts with an uphill task.
However, the early setback seemed to galvanise Spalding. They went close moments later through McGovern, who dragged a close-range effort wide after Nathan Stainfield had flicked on Jamie Thurlbourne’s long throw.
Winger Thurlbourne then forced a flying save from Danny Roberts when he curled a 25-yard free kick towards the top corner, as the home pressure began to mount.
They should really have levelled when striker Jordan Nuttell found himself clean through on goal, but the young striker sent a weak effort off target.
His blushes were spared by strike partner Waumsley, though. The leading scorer – fresh off the back of his four-goal haul against Mickleover Sports midweek – levelled with a powerful left-footed drive that struck the palm of Roberts and dropped into the net.
Norton regrouped after being pegged back and were denied whena fine last-ditch tackle from Chris Hall stopped the rampaging Rob Hawthorne from scoring a certain goal from well inside the box.
At the other end, midfielder Hall fired trademark long ranger wide of the away goal as the teams went in level at half time.
New signing Jordan Hempenstall, signed from Grantham Town on Friday, replaced Nuttell at half time – and he could have bagged a tap in on debut had he been able to get on the end of Adam Jackson’s excellent cross early in the second period.
The striker then raced clean through on the right and forced a super low save from Roberts, before heading the resulting rebound wide.
Then came one of the moments of the match, as Duggan pulled off a simply stunning diving save to tip Chris Baker’s wonderful 25-yard half-volley onto the bar and over.
The referee, however, gave a goal kick – and Spalding went up the other end and won a free kick from which the winner arrived. McGovern stepped up and curled the set-piece into the far right corner of Roberts’ goal just before the hour.
There was some talk at the Sir Halley that Waumsley had got a touch on the ball, but the midfielder is claiming the goal.
In truth, the final 30 minutes of the game yielded little in way of action as the fog got denser. But Spalding, to their great credit, never really looked like conceding a second goal as they expertly shut Norton out of the game.
Having played less games than all but one of the six sides above the, the Tulips are now in a fine position ahead of a big clash with fifth-placed Stafford Rangers next Saturday (3pm).
Tulips: Duggan, Griffiths, Jackson, Stainfield, Stevens, Webb, McGovern, Hall, Webb, Nuttell (Hempenstall 46), Waumsley, J Thurlbourne (Leary 82). Not used: Oliver, Tidswell, McKue.
Saturday’s results
Evo-Stik League First Division South: Carlton Town 2 Stocksbridge Park Steels 0; Coalville Town 3 Kidsgrove Athletic 1; Lincoln United 1 Market Drayton Town 3; Newcastle Town 4 Rainworth Miners Welfare 1; Spalding United 2 Norton United 1; Stafford Rangers 1 Romulus 1; Sutton Coldfield Town 3 Sheffield FC 0.
