Leek Town 0
Spalding United 3
Danny Hussey heaped praise on his resurgent Spalding United side after seeing them sweep aside hosts Leek Town 3-0 on Saturday.
Goals from Jake Newman (24), Paul Walker (57) and Josh Moreman (71) were enough to elevate the Tulips into sixth place in the Evo-Stik League First Division South table – just one position shy of the play-offs.
Hosts Leek played out most of the second period with ten men after seeing Niall Green sent off for a professional foul, with the visitors taking full advantage of their numerical advantage.
It was the second impressive league win on the trot for Spalding, who have yet to concede a goal in the three matches since assistant boss Marcus Ebdon and coach Danny Hussey replaced former boss Pat Rayment at the helm.
Player/coach Hussey said: “It was a really, really good performance. Leek are a very good side, especially at home.
“It was raining and the conditions were terrible, plus Jamie Thurlbourne and Jamie Graham didn’t travel with the squad – meaning we were very short on numbers.
“We knew that we needed to match them in the early stages before trying to gain control with our football – and that’s exactly what happened.
“The first 20 minutes were very even and it could have gone either way, but once we got that first goal the lads really settled.
“We defended the lead well and hit them with pace on the break, leading to two more deserved goals.
“Once they went down to ten men we could easily have scored four or five by the end.
“It was nice to finally see us make the extra man count, as we’ve often struggled in that situation.
“The change in fortunes under Marcus and myself is great, but we shouldn’t forget what Pat Rayment has done for this club over the past four years.
“Between the three of us, we brought all of these players in and helped turn the club’s fortunes around.
“All we’ve done is change the formation back to a 4-4-2 and given the lads a bit of freedom to go out and play.
“We want them to believe in their ability – and that’s what they’ve done so far.”
Leek were quick out of the traps at a rain-drenched Harrison Park on Saturday .
After just eight minutes Dan Shelly cut through the Tulips’ defence but, with only keeper Michael Duggan to beat, he fired wide of the target.
But Spalding soon weathered the storm and had chances of their own.
Racing down the right, Mitch Griffiths pinged a cross over to the far post to find Dan Banister, who fired into the side netting.
Minutes later, home keeper Chris Martin clawed the ball away from Newman’s head with his goal under threat.
The deadlock was finally broken midway through the half when Newman was perfectly placed at the near post to turn another Griffiths cross into the net.
Play continued to go from end-to-end in the closing stages of the first period – and only a superb low save by Duggan kept Spalding ahead. He turned a drive from the dangerous Tim Grice around the post.
However, Leek were down to ten men six minutes into the second half with Green sent off following a dangerous lunging tackle on Newman.
The Tulips took full advantage to exert more pressure on the home team and dominated a large percentage of the game with some excellent passages of neat passing football.
It was no surprise when the lead was extended just before the hour when man-of-the-match Walker featured in a three-man interchange before giving Martin no chance with a venomous shot from 12 yards.
The Tulips then put the game out of Leek’s reach in the 68th minute when a clean-through Sam Murphy was brought down from behind as he entered the area.
Referee Philip Hardisty did not hesitate in awarding a penalty and, although Martin saved Moreman’s spot-kick, the Tulips’ leading scorer pounced on the loose ball to add to his account.
As the game entered its final stages both skipper Nathan Stainfield and Moreman went close to further extending the lead, but 3-0 still represented an impressive away do for the ever-improving Spalding side.
Meanwhile, Ebdon and Hussey will meet with the Spalding board on Tuesday to determine their future at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.
Hussey added that the pair “remain interested” in the role, but will seek “assurances of stability” before taking the decision to stay full-time.
Tulips: Duggan, Walker, Jackson, Spafford, Stainfield, Murphy, Banister, Lawlor, Newman (Sanders 85) Moreman, Griffiths. Not used: Hussey, Ebdon.
MOTM: Paul Walker.
Attendance: 212.
