Spalding United bounced back with a 2-0 win against Dereham on Tuesday night after being humbled by league leaders Halesowen on Saturday.
The weekend’s match up between the Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midland’s top two didn’t live up to expectations as far as the Tulips were concerned as the West Midlands side continued their unbeaten home record and comfortably won 3-0.
Spalding never recovered from a poor start as they found themselves 2-0 down inside 15 minutes on Saturday.
Michael Duggan had already made two good saves when Halesowen earned an eigthth minute lead as Rob Evans headed home from a corner.
While Spalding responded with Sam Cartwright and Nathan Stainfield going close, it was 2-0 on 15 minutes as a ball crossed in that the Tulips felt had gone out of play was headed home by Richard Gregory.
Halesowen continued to press and Spalding had to defend resolutely.
They started the second half brightly and a brilliant run from full back Aaron Hart ended with his effort going agonisingly wide.
Another goal from a corner, this time for Nanthaniel Kelly on 55 minutes effectively ended the contest.
Back at the Sir Halley Stewart on Tuesday night, Spalding were more comfortable.
Bradley Rolt hit the post and Dylan Edge went close early on before Cartwright gave the Tulips a 23rd minute lead, heading home James Clifton’s excellent half-vollyed cross from the right.
A fine Duggan save had stopped Dereham taking the lead just before that
Stefan Broccoli was unlucky not to add to the advantage before the break with a Marradona-esque run into the box only to see his finish come back off the bottom of the post.
Cartwright had another header from a ball in from the right saved just before the break.
The Tulips needed a second as Dereham had their moments in around the Spalding box.
But after Broccoli went close again, Rolt duly delivered beating his defender and producing a fine finish in the 66th minute.
It was comfortable from there as they continued their run of not going more than one game without a win.
The Tulips are now third in the league, six points leaders Halesowen, but with two games in hand.
Stamford are second three points ahead of Spalding, but again, Brett Whaley’s side have a game in hand on them.
The Tulips are back in action at the Sir Halley Stewart on Saturday when they host Hinckley Leicester Road.
That’s before a midweek visit to Shepshed Dynamo on Tuesday in a 7.45pm kick off.
Tulips v Halesowen: Duggan, Hart, Bucciero, Barker, Stainfield, Cartwright. Jones, Clifton, Sandy, Broccoli, Edge. Subs not used: Peters, Draper, L Hilliard, Rolt, T Hilliard
Attendance: 1,512.
Tulips v Dereham: Duggn, Peters, Bucciero, Barker, Stainfield, Cartwright, Draper, Clifton L Hilliard, Edge (Sandy), Broccoli (Jones), Rolt. Subs: Hart, Bolland.
Attendance: 192.
