Spalding United 2
Gresley 1
Marcus Ebdon admitted that he was “as happy as Larry” as Kern Miller’s powerful late header earned Spalding United an unlikely win over a talented Gresley side on Tuesday night.
Andrew Tidswell had earlier fired the Tulips ahead in the Evo-Stik League First Division South clash with an absolute scorcher on six minutes, before Mitch Hanson levelled from the penalty spot eight minutes before the break.
Third at the start of play, Gresley went on to boss the second period – but it was Spalding who grabbed the all-important third goal when Miller rose to power Jamie Thurlbourne’s corner into the roof of the net 12 minutes from time.
Spalding’s fifth win of the season moves them up to ninth in the table – but assistant boss Ebdon, who was standing in for the absent Pat Rayment, reckons that his charges were a little fortunate to bag all three points.
“It was a very, very poor performance from us,” admitted the former Everton player. “Saying that, we could easily have had a penalty in the first half – the keeper cleaned Ryan Oliver out.
“Football is a strange game. We’ve been playing well and losing, yet tonight we did not do so well and got the three points.
“At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about.
“Tidswell’s goal was an absolute cracker – it was the one bit of play we actually produced in the first half.
“Kern’s header was very decent too, but probably a draw would have been fair.
“But I’m as happy as Larry. All you want is the three points.”
The Tulips made the perfect start at the Sir Halley, with Tidswell lashing home one of the goals of the season so far. In what was their first foray forward, the striker played a one-two with Chris Hall before planting a 25-yard screamer into the top left corner.
Hall then went close to making it two when he volleyed Ryan Oliver’s knockdown wide at the near post, before the big striker was involved in the chief talking point of the first half.
Having raced onto the ball on the left, he beat keeper Ross Atkins to the ball and dinked it towards goal. Atkins cleaned him out though, but referee Andy Park waved away Spalding’s appeals.
Gresley slowly came back into the game after that – and ironically levelled with a penalty of their own.
There was no doubting the award either, with Hall tripping the lively Rob Mulonga. Defender Hanson did the rest, slotting just past the dive of Michael Duggan.
The Tulips almost went back ahead immediately when Oliver saw his header saved and then fired the resulting rebound over.
After the break it was a different story, with the visitors much more prominent.
Saying that, Spalding almost went ahead when Hayden Johns hit the ball against his own bar following an almighty scramble.
Tidswell and Nathan Stainfield both drew saves from Atkins from a rare attack, while Duggan was forced to get down superbly to tip Kieron O’Connor’s cross shot around the post.
Adam Jackson was also forced to hook Jamie Barrett’s header from a corner off the line as Gresley piled on the pressure, but it was Spalding who struck next.
Miller, who was back to his solid best, rose superbly to bury Thurlbourne’s corner and seal a massive three points.
Next up for the Tulips are Coalville Town at the Sir Halley on Saturday (3pm).
They beat leaders Sutton Coldfield Town 1-0 on Tuesday, but that didn’t surprise Ebdon.
He added: “It’s going to be one of those leagues where all the top teams beat each other. We’ve just got to try and stay in the pack and keep picking up results.”
Mitch Griffiths should be fine after limping off with cramp late on against Gresley, while transfer target Jordan Nuttell could be in the squad if he agrees a move from Boston Town.
Ebdon confirmed that talks will take place with the versatile youngster – who can play in defence or attack – on Thursday.
Tulips: Duggan, Leary, Jackson, N Stainfield, Miller, Webb, Griffiths (Jones 82), Hall, Tidswell, Oliver (Waumsley 61), J Thurlbourne. Not used: Hussey, McKue, G Stainfield.
Attendance: 123.
Tuesday’s results
Evo-Stik League First Division South: Brigg Town 0 Lincoln United 3; Carlton Town 1 Sheffield FC 4; Coalville Town 1 Sutton Coldfield Town 0; Goole AFC 2 Rainworth Miners Welfare 2; Loughborough Dynamo 3 Chasetown 2; Newcastle Town 5 Market Drayton Town 3; Spalding United 2 Gresley FC 1; Stafford Rangers 0 Tividale 0.
