Top of the table with a game in hand and still unbeaten – happy new year Spalding United.
A fantastic 3-2 victory over Stamford on Boxing Day was followed up by a more industrious, but equally important, 1-0 victory over bottom of the table Yaxley on Monday.
“Christmas is a time where you get some different results so it’s great to get two wins on board,” manager Brett Whaley said. “Both games were an opportunity to get three points and we had to work hard to do that in both.
“With the Stamford game, both sides knew how important it was and both went fully into it. The danger then is the levels can drop for the next game.
“It was very difficult against Yaxley and we weren’t at our best but we battled well and learned a lot from it.
“Earlier in the season when we weren’t playing well we were drawing games, so it’s great to get three points.”
It was an 11th-minute Stefan Broccoli goal that proved enough to win the scrappy game at Yaxley on Monday.
Backed by a strong support for the away side they held on to the points in a game that saw them move to the top of the Pitching In Northern Premier Division Midlands table as previous leaders Halesowen Town were held to a 2-2 draw by fourth-placed Sporting Khalsa.
Stamford are third, Spalding having leapfrogged them in the superb 3-2 victory in front of 639 fans at the Sir Halley Stewart on Boxing Day.
The Tulips had to come from behind after Marshall Willock got above his defender to head home and give Stamford a 15th minute lead.
They levelled eight minutes later when Nathan Stainfield produced a really brave header to beat the keeper to the ball at the far post, the assistant signalling instantly the ball had crossed the goal line.
A key point in the game came just past the half hour as Stamford’s Mike Armstrong was sent off for a second bookable offence.
The visitors though soon had the chance to take the lead after they were awarded a penalty after Harry Vince got goal side of Stainfield who clumsily bundled into the back.
Michael Duggan saved Jonny Margetts’s spot kick and just before the break it was the Tulips who led, Stainfield again scored from a set piece, this time the ball being flicked on by James Clifton and Stainfield’s shot was deflected over the keeper and defender on the line and into the net.
Spalding enjoyed the perfect start to the second half as they made it 3-1. Broccoli with a strong run down the right before the cut back finished off by Archie Jones.
Stamford were largely restricted to goal mouth scrambles and shots from distance, Margetts with a particularly acrobatic effort from 30-yards out while Duggan tipped over a dipping drive from Vince.
The Tulips also had their chances, Bucciero’s great strike was denied by the keeper as was Broccoli while Clifton was refused a penalty similar to the one given earlier.
Stamford were given hope in the last minute when Jon Challinor, who minutes before had a goal ruled out for offside, reduced the deficit to 3-2 with a control, turn and shot from the edge of the area.
It set up six minutes of stoppage time, but Spalding weren’t overly troubled and held on to the win.
They go into Saturday’s match with Cambridge City top of the league and the only side in England unbeaten.
“It’s still very early, but if you’re up there then you’re in the mix and that’s what we’re targeting this season,” said Whaley who is assessing the fitness of Dylan Edge ahead of Saturday, but otherwise the Tulips are at full strength. “It’s a football cliché but when you get there you’ve got to keep getting results and winning games so those below you are not going to catch you. There’s two just one point behind, so it’s about keeping our little run going as long as possible.”
Tulips v Stamford: Duggan, Hart, Bucciero, Barker, Cartwright, Stainfield, Jones (Sandy), Clifton, Edge, Broccoli (Draper), L Hillard (Peters). Subs not used: Moremen, T Hilliard.
Attendance: 639.
Tulips v Yaxley: Duggan, Hart, Bucciero, Barker, Cartwright, Stainfield, Jones, Clifton, Sandy, Broccoli, L Hillard. Subs: Peters, Draper, Moremen, Edge, T Hilliard.
Attendance: 268.
