Spalding United 3
Market Drayton 0
Resurgent Spalding United turned in an impressive display of controlled football at rain-swept Sir Halley Stewart Field on Saturday to get the festive month off to a winning start with their second successive 3-0 victory in Evo-Stik NPL Division One South.
Opponents Market Drayton Town, although battling throughout, were comprehensively swept aside by a Tulips team bouncing back in style after what can only be described as a dismal November – when they picked up just a single point in five outings.
Leading scorer Bradley Wells got Dave Frecklington’s side off to a flying start, with a cheeky but spectacular start with a sixth minute goal and strike partner Nathan Whitehead extended the lead on 28 minutes.
When substitute Sam Downey poached a third in the closing minutes of the game the visitors were a demoralised side, still in deep trouble in the relegation area.
The Tulips’ play, in all areas of the pitch, was a case of ‘what the doctor ordered’ –fast flowing and delightfully entertaining on what was a very wet playing surface.
Each and every player was a candidate for man-of-the-match, but match sponsors Mick Yould and Sons choice was right back Paul Walker, who really was impressive.
In a lightning start to the game Wells took a neat through pass by Whitehead in full stride and cheekily beat the advancing Drayton keeper Ash Rawlins with a neatly-executed lob from 12 yards to open the scoring.
Whitehead, promoted into a forward position from the midfield, proved to be a very able and willing partner for Wells, the pair proving too hot to handle on numerous occasions for the visiting defence.
Both were near to extending the advantage before Whitehead added his name to the scorers list, driving the ball hard and low just inside a post following a super five-man attacking sequence.
Home keeper Michael Duggan was forced into making his first save of the game just two minutes before the interval, but comfortably dealt with William Whieldon’s shot from 25-yards.
Drayton featured more after the interval, but never really posed a threat to the Spalding backline of defence formed by Walker, Adam Jackson, Neal Spafford and skipper Nathan Stainfield who was making his 150th appearance for the club.
There were solid displays also in the midfield from Connor Higginson, Charlie Gatter and Mitch Griffiths as pressure was maintained on the opposition.
In the 58th minute Wells was sent on a run towards the Drayton goal, but he was stopped in his tracks by a timely interception by Judd Ellis.
Shortly afterwards Whitehead let rip from 30 yards, but the ball was just wide of the target.
Jordan Lemon, who had replaced Higginson, then saw goalkeeper Rawlins fumble his shot by a post.
Bradley Barraclough and Downey also joined the action for the closing minutes and the latter had the satisfaction of completing the scoring with a far post finish from Lemon’s cross.
The visitors had James O’Neill sent off late on for a foul on Barraclough to compound their miserable afternoon.
Tulips: Duggan, Walker, Jackson, Varley, Spafford, Stainfield, Higginson (Lemon 56), Gatter, Wells (Barraclough 85), Whitehead, Griffiths (Downey 85). Not used: Moyses, Fleming.
Attendance: 89.
