MARKET DRAYTON 1
SPALDING UNITED 0
Not for the first time this season Spalding United were left to rue a host of missed chances – including from the penalty spot – as they returned home from their longest journey of the season with nothing to show for their efforts, writes RAY TUCKER.
The Tulips fell behind just minutes from the end of an evenly-contested first half in their Evo-Stik NPL First Division South clash at Market Drayton Town thanks to a Tyrell McFarlane effort.
Chris Rawlinson’s side stepped it up a gear to dominate the second period without getting the ball past the outstanding Ashley Rawlins, who made a string of top class saves – including Gary King’s 72nd minute penalty kick.
Without doubt, the Tulips had done enough and created sufficient scoring opportunities to have won the game comfortably, but lack of aggression and selfishness in front of goal was, and has been, their downfall.
Market Drayton, after a dreadful start to the season, are now unbeaten in their last four games.
The Tulips, on a day when the rain poured down on the Greenfields arena, were forced to reshuffle their pack following the departure of midfield duo Matt Varley (to Worksop Town) and Nathan Whitehead (Matlock Town) during the week.
However, Paul Walker returned after surgery to remove his appendix and give a typical full-blooded display, while teenager Jacob Fletcher did enough to secure man of the match.
Once again, keeper Michael Duggan was on top of his game, while other notable contributions came from skipper Adam Jackson, central defenders Ellis Humble and Neal Spafford and speedy frontman Cenk Acar.
Drayton were within a whisker of taking an eighth minute lead when James O’Reilly’s snap-shot from 25-yards clipped the top the Tulips’ crossbar, but the visitors’ reply was swift.
Jamie Jackson won a free-kick just outside the penalty area, only for King’s free-kick to cannon off the “wall” of defenders.
Fletcher then picked up the loose ball and slipped it neatly into the path of Jordan Lemon, who fired high over the bar.
Duggan twice denied the home team with regulation blocks, while at the other end Rawlins got his legs behind Acar’s near post effort.
The Tulips’ front runner posed real problems throughout with his pace and ball trickery – but time and again he was subjected to some rather enthusiastic challenges.
The deadlock was broken on 42 minutes. Duggan did well to beat away Craig Ryan’s blockbuster only for McFarlane to react the quicker to seize the loose ball and slam it past the dejected keeper.
Only a fine reflex save to turn King’s free kick over the bar denied Spalding parity before the break.
The second half brought near total domination for the Tulips, with Lemon, Fletcher and Walker either going close or testing keeper Rawlins.
Pressure on the home goal was intense at times – and their best chance came when the lively Acar finally got the support he needed from the match official when being fouled by Andrew Hattlebury in the area for a penalty.
But King’s resulting kick from 12 yards was kept out by the knees of the superb Rawlins, as his side held on to frustrate the Tulips.
Tulips: Duggan, Lemon, Jackson, Walker, Humble, Spafford, McGhee (Fixter 75), Fletcher (Clarke 85), King (Reittie 72), Jackson.
MOTM: Jacob Fletcher.
Attendance: 89.
