Tadcaster Albion 3
Spalding United 0
After another goalless first half Spalding United were once again put to the sword by promotion-seeking Tadcaster Albion at the i2i Stadium on Saturday.
Two weeks earlier, again in the north East, the Tulips had shared equal footing with Evo-Stik NPL East Division leaders Morpeth Town until the hour mark – but ultimately suffered the same 3-0 loss.
This time, goals from Aiden Savory (60 and 63) and Joe Lumsden (89) did the job for the hosts as Spalding were unable to improve the perilous position the race for survival.
In blustery and stormy conditions on Saturday, the Tulips, who were without the guidance of manager Matt Easton who was recovering in hospital from a sudden illness, were up against the odds from the start, not least by their big, strong and fluent footballing opponents who were dominant from the outset.
But the Tulips dug in deep and held out until the hour mark before conceding.
A second goal a few minutes later virtually sealed their fate, but they continued to battle with every ounce of energy to deny their hosts a third goal until added time.
Neal Spafford and Jenk Acar returned to the side following injury and featured strongly, supporting Taron Hare, Isaac Cooper and Keegan Everington.
But at the heart of things was goalkeeper Michael Duggan, who pulled off many important saves.
However, it was from one of his saves that presented the league’s top scorer Lumsden with the Brewers’ final goal, spilling the ball in a crowded area which was quickly exploited.
It was however, not all one-way traffic with Cooper firing inches over Michael Ingham’s goal and Everington’s clever lobbed shot from 20-yards also narrowly off target in an action-packed opening period.
Bradley Wells also forced an excellent save from Ingham ten minutes into the second half, but the Tulips’ reserve was broken when Savory netted his first from close range.
The same player added to his tally shortly afterwards following an assist by Will Annan.
Still the Tulips battled but it was a backs to the wall experience, with The Brewers calling the shots as they closed out the game.
With rock-bottom Gresley picking up a win, there’s now just four points between them and AFC Mansfield in 14th place.
And, with two teams likely to go down, Spalding are placed precariously in 17th, three points off the foot but having played more than any other side threatened by the drop.
Tulips: Duggan, Moyses, Marshall (Floyd 46), Cooper, Spafford, Hare, Acar (Brownell 88), Everington, Wells, Mettam, Hugo (Hart 77). Not used: White, Fixter.
MOTM: Duggan.
Attendance: 214.
