Spalding United 4
Goole AFC 0
Tom Waumsley helped himself to a hat-trick as Spalding United returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion on Saturday.
The Tulips were too strong for Evo-Stik NPL Division One South rivals Goole at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field and deservedly led 1-0 at half time thanks to a clever looping header from Waumsley (19).
Two goals in as many minutes from Dan Banister (49) and Waumsley (50) then ended the clash as a contest, before Spalding striker Waumsley completed his treble with a header from Dan Lawlor’s corner 16 minutes later.
It was a much-needed victory for the Tulips, who handed new signing Stuart Eason a debut and started talented teen Jonny Lockie for the first time.
Boss Marcus Ebdon praised a “top all-round performance” from his charges, who stay three points off the play-off positions in eighth place.
Ebdon said: “To be honest, we haven’t had a lot of luck in recent weeks – but we got a bit of that with our third goal.
“All round, it was a really good performance from the lads. It was nice to see us take some chances, we’ve not been doing that recently.
“We took four chances and I’m happy – but it’d be nice if we could spread them out a bit! No, obviously I’m very pleased.
“I’m also pleased for Tom (Waumsley), he’s been getting into a lot of scoring positions in the past few games but hasn’t had much luck. Today it all came together.
“I though (new signing) Stuart Eason did well and contributed to the game. I think he twisted his ankle during the game, but fingers crossed he’ll be OK for the next match.
“I was pleased with the impact of James Tricks and I also thought Jonny Lockie did well on the right too.
“Like I said, it was a top all-round performance. I don’t think our keeper had a lot to do and keeping a clean sheet is always nice.
“I thought we started well for once – and in the end it was quite comfortable for us.”
Having lost their last two, Spalding really needed three points against relegation-threatened Goole to keep their play-off bid alive.
The opening exchanges were largely dull, with both sides struggling to get the ball down and play.
But the Tulips soon came alive following a flurry of Lawlor corners that produced a glut of chances. Youngster Lockie saw a goalbound effort blocked from the first, while Stainfeld’s header was also stopped before his central defensive partner Ellis Humble had a lobbed effort kicked off the line.
The breakthrough eventually arrived on 19 minutes, with the hard-working Waumsley racing onto a big punt forward from Stanfield before expertly heading the bouncing ball over keeper Dan Waring and into the net.
However, for all of their dominance, Spalding were indebted to a fingertip save from keeper Michael Duggan to keep them ahead at the break. The long-serving shot-stopper somehow turned David Taylor’s fierce 25-yard free-kick onto the woodwork just before the interval.
The home dominance was hammered home early in the second period, though, as Ebdon’s side bagged three goals in 15 minutes.
Midfielder Banister buried the first and Spalding’s second, collecting the ball just outside the box before drilling low into the bottom left corner from 20 yards.
Waumsley then made it 3-0 60 seconds later, although there was a slice of luck involved. His speculative 25-yarder somehow went through Waring at his near post, leaving the keeper a little red-faced.
There was nothing fortuitous about Waumsley’s hat-trick goal, however, with the frontman meeting Lawlor’s corner with an accurate downward header that gave the visiting keeper no chance.
Goole, to their credit, refused to throw in the towel and could have pulled one back when Nick Guest header wide at the back post from close range.
But the Tulips always offered the greater threat and were unfortunate not to make it 5-0 when man-of-the-match Waumsley launched a fierce half-volley just over from distance.
On this showing at least, it’s clear that Spalding aren’t willing to give up on their promotion dream with just ten games left to play.
Tulips: Duggan, Walker, Jackson, Humble, Stainfield, Lawlor, Lockie (Sanders 70), Murphy (Lee 72), Eason (Tricks 65), Banister. Not used: Hussey.
Vic Couzens’ MOTM: Tom Waumsley
Attendance: 122
RESULTS
Evo-Stik NPL
Division One South: Belper Town 0 Basford United 2; Chasetown 2 Carlton Town 0; Leek Town 4 Coalville Town 1; Lincoln United 4 Kidsgrove Athletic 0; Newcastle Town 0 Loughborough Dynamo 0; Romulus 4 Daventry Town 0; Rugby Town 0 Stafford Rangers 1; Shaw Lane Aquaforce 3 Market Drayton Town 0; Sheffield FC 3 Gresley 1; Spalding United 4 Goole AFC 0; Tividale 0 Stocksbridge Park Steels 0.
