After the elation of Saturday’s opening day victory over fellow Southern League Premier Central Division newcomers Bedford Town, Spalding United were brought crashing to earth on Tuesday.
The size of the task facing Elliot Sandy and his Tulips team at step three of the non-League pyramid was laid out before them with a 4-0 crushing at Kettering Town.
After an early chance saw Josh Ezewele’s shot blocked, it was virtual one-way traffic towards the visitors’ goal.
The home side were two up inside 30 minutes and also hit a post.
Glenn Walker’s smart turn almost brought a way back but his effort crashed against the upright.
The Poppies hit the woodwork again just before the break but added two more goals in the second period to run out comfortable winners.
“There were no positives,” said Sandy who apologised to the travelling fans. “All credit to Kettering, their fans roared them on from the first minute and they thoroughly deserved their win.
“It’s a massive wake up call with this league and for me too in terms of the formations, tactics and how we want to play.
“The boys know they didn’t do it and we need a reaction on Saturday at Bromsgrove.
“We’ve seen the levels we need to be at every game.
“We may have got away with performances like that last season against some sides but the players know that’s not acceptable and nowhere near good enough.
“I expect them to fight and scrap for everything and we didn’t. We’ll put that right and will play with a lot more effort and desire on Saturday.”
Sandy had said he was ‘over the moon’ after a 17th-minute goal from Sam Bennett had been enough to see off Bedford and get Spalding off to a winning start on Saturday.
It came after superb work from Tyler Winters saw him force the ball across goal for Bennett to poke home.
Josh Ezewele and Jonny Ngandu were the only new faces in the starting line-up with the Tulips keeping faith in the bulk of the team that had helped them win the Northern Premier League Midland Division title last season.
Spalding could have been two or three goals up by the break but were left hanging on for a point as Bedford bombarded the home goal in search of an equaliser.
But they held on helped by a home attendance of 462.
l See page 27 for more on Saturday’s game.
Tulips v Kettering: Breeden, Ezewele, Warburton, Walker, Cartwright, Dawes, Barker, Clifton (White), Winters, Hilliard, Bennett. Subs: Stainfield, Chettle, Ngandu, Darlington.
Attendance: 889.
