Goole AFC 0
Spalding United 1
Jake Newman‘s fourth goal in just three starts earned Spalding United their first victory at Goole since 2005 on Saturday.
The striker struck on 24 minutes to settle a tight Evo-Stik League First Division South clash at Victoria Pleasure Grounds, as the Tulips bounced back from their midweek FA Cup heartbreak against Sporting Khalsa.
Spalding’s fifth league win of the campaign moves them up to seventh in the table – five points behind second-placed Shaw Lane Aquaforce with two games in hand.
Boss Pat Rayment said: “I was very pleased by the way we played against a very good Goole side, particularly in the first half. I think the result was just about right, although once again we missed a few scoring opportunities.
“Goole are a very good side and it was perfectly obvious why they had won their previous four games. They came at us a bit more in the second half and posed a few problems, but we were able to cope with these.
“It was good to have Charley Sanders, David Bell and Jake Newman back in action after missing our recent cup battles. The fact they had not played a game during that time was clear, but they got more acclimatised as the game progressed.
“Once again Jake lived up to his goal-getting reputation by scoring the only goal of the game.”
The Tulips welcomed back their cup-tied trio of Newman, Bell and Sanders for their trip to Yorkshire, but were without the unavailable Mitch Griffiths. Also not involved were Ross Watson and
Nialle Rodney, who were released after the FA Cup setback.
Hosts Goole came into the clash on a four-match unbeaten run and sitting comfortably in fourth spot.
They gave the Tulips plenty of problems early on, but the visitors soon got into their stride.
It was Bell who initiated the first real scoring opportunity in the 18th minute. Some excellent play down the left side, saw him skip past a couple of defenders, to set up Sam Murphy – who dispatched the ball hard and low just wide of the far post.
Another sweeping move down the left side, with Adam Jackson combining with Josh Moreman, opened up the home defence to produce the only goal of the game in the 24th minute.
When the ball was pinged into the area home keeper Thomas Beaurepaire, under pressure by Sanders, failed to gather the ball and Newman was perfectly placed to score at the far post.
The Tulips continued to hold the reins but without managing to create many further scoring opportunities before the break.
Goole made two changes to begin the second period and featured more consistently. On the hour Leigh Hutchinson’s firm drive from the edge of the area was deflected inches side of a post.
The resultant corner brought some concern to the Tulips’ defence before the ball was cleared and a swift burst upfield ended with Bell being denied by the woodwork.
Back at the other end, Spalding keeper Michael Duggan was forced to pull off a good save at full stretch.
Then, for the second time in the game, the Tulips were again denied by a goalpost after a swift switch of play to the other end.
Spalding introduced Tom Waumsley with 15 minutes to go, but last season’s leading scorer lasted barely five minutes before limping off with damaged ankle ligaments. Dan Banister replaced him.
With three minutes of normal time remaining, Newman looked set to extend the Tulips’ lead, his finish from a neat pass by substitute Adam Millson flashed into the side netting.
After the game it was revealed that midfielder Millson was leaving the club in search of regular football.
Rayment added: “Adam has decided to move on after not being able to command a regular starting position with us. We did not want to lose him, but fully understand his reasons for wanting more match time.”
Tulips: Duggan, Walker, Jackson, Spafford, Stainfield, Murphy, Lawlor, Bell, Newman, Sanders (Waumsley 78, Banister 85), Moreman (Millson 85).
MOTM: Murphy.
Attendance: 159.
