A 3-1 win at home to St Ives Town yesterday (Wednesday) ensured it was a good Christmas on the pitch for Spalding United as they remained undefeated through their four games.
Despite battling a flu-outbreak and vandalism (see above) the Tulips ended a run of three straight 1-1 draws with the New Year’s Day win that moves them up to 11th in the Pitching In Southern League Central Premier.
Manager Jimmy Dean was not happy in the first half however and said he was furious with his side.
“Football is a funny and fickle game,” he said afterwards. “I didn’t need to read the riot act being 3-1 up, but I thought it was necessary, not because we were the worst team because we deserved to be in front.
“But 20 minutes of it were unacceptable, some of the boys were still out dancing in their slippers last night.
“It was disappointing to see tactical errors creeping in that we thought we was away from.
“I will say there was great character and resilience.
“On the sidelines we kept pushing and jabbing and fair play to the players as they gave us a reaction.
“There were a few changes with thee or four away but we need to focus on a huge three points.
“We could have been 2-0 down but after that we could have had six or seven.
“It felt like The Alamo second half as we had chance after chance.
“They carried a set piece threat which is why we brought Darnell on in the second half to see it out and we did that really well.”
St Ives took an early lead after dominating the opening exchanges but the Tulips responded with three goals in ten minutes before the break firstly through Manny Sani before strike partner Bart Cybulski put them ahead on 45 minutes.
Joseph Nyahwema then added extra gloss in injury time.
After the break Spalding dominated though were unable to score again.
“I thought Manny was outstanding,” said Dean of the striker partnership. “It was difficult for him at Scunthorpe where I brought him and he had a year out after injury.
“You can see he’s not played much football for two years but he’s done a fantastic job in getting back fit.
“It was a bit of a sink or swim moment playing in this game but he’s repaid us.
“There were a lot of good performances, but he and Bart were unplayable at times.”
Dean felt his side played better on Saturday at home to Bromsgrove Sporting.
Glen Walker gave them an 11th minute lead but they were pegged back to 1-1 by Carter Lycett with just two minutes remaining.
Late goals were a feature in the Tulips’ other games over Christmas.
In the Boxing Day derby Cybulski popped up in injury time to earn Spalding a 1-1 draw at Stamford after Robert Morgan had given the hosts a ninth-minute lead.
Previous to that on Saturday December 21, Cybulski had come up with an 86th minute leveller, four minutes after then league leaders Kettering Town took the lead in what turned out to be another 1-1 draw.
Dean says the squad has suffered from flu in recent weeks and also criticised the Sir Halley pitch.
“We’ve a surface that’s really difficult to play on for a side that likes to play football,” he said. “The lads and volunteers are doing everything they can, but with another club (Pinchbeck United) playing on here it’s making it difficult.”
Next up for the Tulips on Saturday is a tough trip to Bedworth Town.
“It’s difficult right now with players unavailable, but it’s the same for everyone with the quick turnaround in games,” he said. “We’re unbeaten in seven and if you’d have said that when I came in I’d say that’s impossible.
“There’s a lot to be positive about at this football club but there’s still plenty more work to do.
“Saturday is a really difficult game and they’re in good form.
“They’ll be expecting to win 3-0 or 4-0, but football’s not like that.
“We need to get our recovery right, see where we’re at and go from there.”
Tulips v St Ives: Breedon, Walker, Fox, Moore, Cartwright, Lawlor, Freeman, Cybulski, Sani, Nyahwema. Subs: Hilliard West, Leshabela, Johnson.
Attendance: 330.
Tulips v Bromsgrove: Breedon, Brown, Fox, Johnson, Cartwright, Lawlor, Sembie-Ferris, Hilliard, Cybulski, Freeman, Walker. Subs: Hudson, Leshabela, Nyahwema, Ngandu, Chettle.
Attendance: 425.
Tulips v Stamford: Breedon, Brown, Fox, Johnson, Cartwright, Lawlor, Sembie-Ferris, Hilliard, Cybulski, Freeman, Nyahwema. Subs: Hudson, Leshabela, Walker, Ngandu, Tomlinson.
Attendance: 685.
Tulips v Kettering: Breedon, Brown, Fox, Johnson, Cartwright, Leshabela, Sembie-Ferris, Sherif, Cybulski, Freeman, Nyahwema. Subs: Hudson, Hilliard, Walker, Ngandu, Tomlinson.
Attendance: 935.
Pictures by Adrian Smith
