Loughborough Dynamo 0
Spalding United 6
Proud Pat Rayment saluted the best result of his near three-year tenure as Spalding United boss on Tuesday night as his side obliterated Evo-Stik League First Division South leaders Loughborough Dynamo 6-0.
The terrific Tulips led 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from Ash Burbeary (13) and Andrew Tidswell, before Mitch Griffiths (53 and 67), Ryan Oliver (54) and Tidswell again (59) rounded off the rout.
Hosts Dynamo had been unbeaten at their Nanpantan Sports Ground base prior to the Spalding blitz – and Rayment reckons the scoreline will send shockwaves throughout the division.
He said: “I called it, didn’t I? I said on Saturday that somebody was going to get a hiding from us.
“We finally took a proper ratio of our chances and got the result our performance deserved. The scary thing is that we could easily have won by more goals.
“I must say, Ryan Oliver made a big difference up front. He gives us a real presence.
“For the first time this season I had everyone available and look what happened.
“They are a good footballing side, but we were superb. We absolutely obliterated them.
“It has to be the best result I’ve had here, doesn’t it? This will send out a real message to our rivals that we mean business in this league.”
Having lost 2-1 at home to Newcastle Town on Saturday, few would have expected the Tulips to rip the league leaders to shreds.
But that’s what they did, with Burbeary getting the ball rolling from a devastating 25-yard free kick that left the Dynamo keeper with no chance.
Master marksman Tidswell was next on target on the half hour, lashing a fierce drive into the corner of the net.
If 2-0 at half time was promising, the second half had Rayment and the Spalding fans in dreamland.
The third goal was an absolute stunner from Griffiths, who cut inside onto his left foot and fired an unstoppable effort into the top corner.
Spalding weren’t done there, with Oliver opening his account for the club a minute later when he followed up a Tidswell strike.
Another trademark Tidswell cracker then put the game to bed just before the hour mark as the hitman made it three goals in two games.
The cherry on top was provided by Griffiths, who capitalised on a defensive error to bury his second 23 minutes from time.
Spalding’s finest win of the season moves them up to ninth, eight points off top spot with a game in hand. On this form, that’s nothing.
Tulips: Duggan, Bore, Jackson, Stainfield, Miller, Webb, Griffiths, Hall (Leary), Oliver (Jones), Burbeary (J Thurlbourne). Not used: Waumsley.
Attendance: 87
Tuesday night’s results
Evo-Stik League First Division South: Coalville Town 4 Goole 2; Gresley 1 Carlton Town 0; Loughborough Dynamo 0 Spalding United 6; Mickleover Sports 1 Brigg Town 0; Newcastle Town 2 Romulus 2; Norton United 2 Kidsgrove Athletic 1; Sheffield FC 2 Lincoln United 3 Stocksbridge Park Steels 0 Rainworth Miners Welfare 2; Sutton Coldfield Town Chasetown 2; Tividale 1 Leek Town 2.
ChromaSport UCL Premier Division: Harborough Town 3 Oadby Town 1; Long Buckby 1 Cogenhoe United 3; Peterborough Northern Star 9 Sleaford Town 0; Wisbech Town 2 Boston Town 0; Yaxley 3 Deeping Rangers 0.
