Stamford 4
Spalding United 0
Spalding United slipped to their heaviest defeat of the season so far on Tuesday night as Stamford sealed a dominant derby victory.
The Daniels took a second-minute lead in the Evo-Stik League Division One East clash at the Zeeco Stadium when Rob Morgan headed Stan Mugisha’s cross home at the back post.
Although Leon Mettam then rattled the bar with a thumping effort for the Tulips, Joe Burgess’ header (28) from a corner and a sweeping Reece Morris finish (44) gave Graham Drury’s Stamford a 3-0 half-time lead.
Not done there, Mugisha rounded off the rout with number four on the hour mark, sentencing Spalding to their second league loss of the season in the process.
The Tulips are the only side yet to win this season and are in the bottom three ahead of Saturday’s home date with leaders Morpeth Town (3pm).
Spalding boss Matt Easton, who suffered his first defeat in the job, refused to be too downbeat.
He said: “We conceded very early and, although we hit the bar and had one cleared off the line at 1-0 down, they picked us off after that really.
“We’re not very well balanced as a team at the moment and, if I’m honest, the scoreline was a fair one.
“We had to chase the game and went a little bit too attacking, which meant we left a few gaps for Stamford to exploit.
“They are a very good side, probably the best we’ve played so far this season, so it’s no disgrace.
“As far as I’m concerned, there’s no drama. It’s going to take a little while for me to get a few players in and make this team my own.
“If anything, the defeat answers a few questions for me about what I need to bring into the team.
“We had a new player make his debut at Stamford and there will be a few more signings in for the Morpeth game, I’m sure.
“Obviously they (Morpeth) are top of the league, so it’s not getting any easier.
“But I want to get this team playing the kind of football I’d like – and that takes time.”
On his appointment as permanent boss, Easton – who was in caretaker charge after the departure of Chris Rawlinson – added: “I’m very excited by the job and I feel that we have a decent squad here – but a few changes are needed.
“We shouldn’t be too disappointed by the start of the season, if a few of those draws had been turned into wins, we’d be looking good.
“The hardest thing in football is sticking the ball into the back of the net and that has been our problem.
“I’ve got no big target in mind, but my initial aim is to get a few wins on the board and add a few fresh faces to the squad.”
Easton was able to hand former Matlock Town midfielder Jack Brownell a debut at Stamford, while fellow new recruit Azfa Jalo came on as a substitute.
He has lost full-back Jordan Lemon to Matlock and striker Tom Siddons to Grantham Town, but hopes to add a few more fresh faces by the weekend.
Spalding also host Carlton Town in the league on Tuesday night (7.45pm).
Tulips: Duggan, Fixter, Hugo, Spafford, Miller (Humble), Brooks (King), Zuerner, Brownwell, White (Jalo), Mettam, Lockie. Not used: Floyd, Neil.
Attendance: 239.
