LOUGHBOROUGH DYNAMO 2
SPALDING UTD 0
By RAY TUCKER
Another catalogue of missed opportunities and a seventh successive defeat on Saturday left Spalding United teetering on the fringe of the relegation area in Evo-Stik NPL First Division South.
The Tulips were left chasing the game after shipping a sixth minute goal from Louis Keenan at Loughborough Dynamo on Saturday, but they fought back to create enough scoring opportunities to have ended their dismal run of defeats.
Chris Rawlinson’s side even failed to score from the penalty spot, with Lee Beeson’s 62nd-minute attempt well saved by goalkeeper Charlie Taylor, before Josh Riley (82) rounded off the win for hosts Dynamo.
The game couldn’t have started much worse for the Tulips, as the unmarked Keenan pounced to give the home side early advantage with a neat near-post finish following a free kick.
Spalding keeper Michael Duggan did manage to get a hand to the ball, but with not enough purchase to stop it crossing the line.
Dynamo, themselves on the back of three consecutive defeats, always looked dangerous on the break, particularly down the wings, but some good defensive play kept them at bay.
The first of numerous fine saves by home keeper Taylor came on 25 minutes when he was at full stretch to turn Beeson’s trademark free kick past a post.
From the resulting corner, Ellis Humble’s firm header was deflected off target.
As the first half minutes ticked away the Tulips were denied by a goal-line clearance, while at the other end Neal Spafford and Humble combined to protect keeper Duggan as Dynamo sought to increase their advantage.
The opening minutes of the second period saw the home goal under siege as the Tulips battled for parity.
The out of sorts Acar skied one close-range effort high over the crossbar and another effort was parried by keeper Taylor and Ben Davison’s follow-up effort flashed over the goalmouth with no one able to get a vital touch.
Then, after a lengthy discussion between the referee and one of his assistants, Acar was awarded a penalty after having his shirt tugged. But again, Taylor turned up trumps for his team by saving Beeson’s spot kick.
The game was put beyond the Tulips’ reach in the 82nd minute following a mistake by skipper Adam Jackson, which Josh Riley exploited to fire past the helpless Duggan.
The loss leaves Spalding 15th – just five points above the bottom two.
Tulips: Duggan, Fixter, Jackson, Marshall, Humble, Spafford, Lockie (Couzens 75), Beeson, King, Davison, Acar. Not used: Floyd, Maddison, Smith.
Attendance: 75
