A lacklustre performance from depleted Spalding United Reserves saw them crash 5-0 at ChromaSport PDFL Division One rivals Wittering on Saturday.
Despite missing a number of key men, boss Kev Nottingham would have expected his Tulips to perform much better in what was a dress rehearsal for the up and coming PFA Challenge Cup semi-final on March 19.
Spalding fell behind early, with Luke Harrison enduring a nightmare start to the match.
His attempted clearance cannoned off the bar and on to the head of Ashley Middleton, who completed the simple task of heading the ball over the line from close range.
It was 2-0 midway through the half when Hamish Meichan intercepted a clearance some 30 yards from goal and hammered a shot underneath the crossbar.
Visitors Spalding had a handful of openings in the first half and started the second half better but, when Middleton grabbed his second on 50 minutes, it was game over and Nottingham’s side just capitulated.
The impressive Jez Hudson made a stunning penalty save just after the hour, only for Lee Booker to tap in the rebound.
Meichan then scored the fifth ten minutes from time as he beat the offside trap before firing an effort low into the corner.
Hudson made a number of reaction saves from point blank efforts throughout the second half and received plenty of praise from the opposition players for his effort.
It was a shame that his efforts weren’t matched by his team-mates.
Next up for Spalding is a home date with Whittlesey Res on Saturday (2pm).
Spalding United Res: Hudson, Harrison, Endersbee, Haw, Nichols, Rose, Nottingham, Wycherley, Cannon (Britton), Cope (Costa), Klos.
- Another Matt Eaton goal earned Sutton Bridge United a 1-1 draw at ChromaSport PDFL Division One promotion rivals Oundle Town on Saturday.
Eaton’s effort – his 38th of the season – cancelled out Jonny Hipwell’s strike and leaves Bridge fourth in the table with games in hand on all three sides above them.
Moulton Harrox Reserves are a point behind them after a 3-2 loss at Netherton United Reserves – although they have played six games more.
Long Sutton Athletic were also beaten as they dropped into the bottom four. Goals from Tiago Camilo, Edmilson Fernandes and Ludgero Moreira sank them 3-0 at ICA Sports Reserves.
In Division Two, four goals from Danny Kingman helped Spalding Town romp to a 9-0 victory over Leverington Sports Reserves at the Castle.
Markus Parry also notched a hat-trick for Town, while James Thorold and sub Steve Robinson bagged to keep third-placed Town in the hunt for promotion.
There was also a rare win for Pinchbeck United Reserves, who beat Hampton Sports 2-1 at Knight Street thanks to first-half goals from Aaron Cooper and Liam Parker.
Crowland Town Reserves also bagged a point as they drew 2-2 with Thorney Reserves at Snowden Field.
In Division Three, Tydd St Mary went down 3-2 at Ramsey Town despite strikes from Tim Lowe and Nick Reims.
Elsewhere, hat-tricks from Mark Garner and Tom Grantham fired Long Sutton Reserves to a 7-1 Division Four victory over Netherton B, while Whaplode Drove thrashed Tydd St Mary Reserves 4-0 in an all-South Holland tie.
Also in Division Four, Matt Stancer earned Sutton Bridge Reserves a 1-0 win over Parkside, while in Division Five Holbeach A were tonked 16-0 by leaders Limetree UTR.
