Leek Town 2
Spalding United 2
Pat Rayment was left fuming after a disallowed Jamie Thurlbourne goal in the third minute of added time denied the Tulips a passage to the second qualifying round of the FA trophy at Leek Town on Saturday.
The Tulips had fought back superbly from 2-0 down to get back on level terms with second-half goals by Andrew Tidswell (65) and Nathan Stainfield (85) and then be denied victory by a controversial refereeing decision to deny them the winner in the closing seconds.
As the game entered added time, a stinger from Thurlbourne crashed against a post and the winger quickly snapped up the rebound to rocket the ball into the net from just outside the area, only for a raised flag of a referee’s assistant to instigate a lengthy conference with the referee – who then controversially ruled out a goal to kill off the visitors’ celebrations.
The two teams do battle again at the Sir Halley Stewart Field in the replay tonight (Tuesday), with the £2,700 prize fund and a trip to Spennymoor Town in the next round up for grabs – but a bemused Rayment feels his side were robbed.
“It was unbelievable and absolutely ridiculous,” blasted the Spalding sumpremo. “I’ve never seen anything like it.
“Don’t get me wrong, a draw was the right result. We should have been 4-0 down at half time.
“But the game turned in the second half and by the end they were absolutely gone. I rate Leek, they are genuine title contenders in our league.
“But even they know that we’ve been mugged there.
“I blame the referee, even though the linesman gave the decision. The officials wanted to be the centre of attention and it’s bang out of order.”
To use the age old cliché, Saturday’s clash between two Evo-Stik League First Division South sides was a game of two halves, writes Ray Tucker.
The home team, apart from the opening five minutes, controlling the lion’s share of the play, but then having their backs to the wall after the interval as a revitalised Spalding side, with three substitutes brought into the frame, dominating, particularly in the closing stages as they sensed victory could be achieved.
The Tulips enjoyed a great opening spell with a superb, quick inter-passing break down the left side between Adam Jackson, Thurlbourne and new signing Jack McGovern creating a fine scoring chance for Tom Waumsley, but his flying header was despatched inches over the bar with goalkeeper Ben Chapman beaten.
But the home side quickly hit back with a finely executed strike from Liam Shotton after eight minutes, a shot which was curled just inside the far post and gave keeper Michael Duggan no chance.
When Leek came again, Stainfield came to the rescue with a tremendous saving header, then Duggan pulled off a super reflex save to turn Andrew Kinsey’s stinging close range volley over the bar. Shortly afterwards the home side were denied by the woodwork as the Tulips battled to keep in the game.
In their best move since the opening minutes, the Tulips were thwarted by Chapman – who did well to hold onto Tidswell’s 18-yards strike.
However, with some calamitous defending, the Tulips conceded a second goal on 30 minutes with Niall McGuire afforded a simple tap-in opportunity from Matt Bell’s inch-perfect cross from the edge of the 18-yards area.
To their credit, the Tulips dug in deep and held out without further loss before the interval. Infact, they had an opportunity to reduce the arrears – but no one could make contact with Thurlbourne’s dipping corner kick at the far post.
New signing Matt Kennedy replaced Kern Miller for the start of the second period, with Michael Leary moving into central defence and Mitch Griffiths dropping back to full back. Ten minutes later, Chris Hall took over from the struggling Lewis Webb and the spoils of the game began to change.
It was 2-1 when Andrew Tidswell pounced on Stainfield’s header from a free kick on 65 minutes… and there was firm belief that the game was in for a dramatic change.
With some quality football in all areas, further chances came thick and fast. Kennedy had a firm shot blocked and Griffiths fired inches over the bar following a good passing sequence.
Parity was then gained five minutes from time with a trademark header by Stainfield from an astute Jackson cross.
The Leek goal was subjected to great pressure as the minutes ticked away. Only a tremendous save at point black range by Chapman denied Kennedy and Jordon Nuttell, who had replaced Tom Waumsley in the 67th minute, also tested the keeper.
Then came the late drama, with Spalding incredibly unlucky not to complete the most unlikely of comebacks.
Tulips: Duggan, Leary, Jackson, Miller (Kennedy 46), N Stainfield, Webb (Hall 55), Griffiths, McGovern, Tidswell, Waumsley (Nuttell 67), J Thurlbourne. Not used: Oliver, Pycock.
