Newcastle Town 2
Spalding United 1
Not for the first time this season, Spalding United were unable to build on an early advantage and consequently missed out on some valuable Evo-Stik NPL First Division South points at Newcastle Town.
The Tulips were ahead on 12 minutes in the second versus third clash on Saturday thanks to a Cenk Acar tap in following his blocked penalty.
They were also playing against ten men from mid-way through the first period, but conceding penalties (one of them very questionable) either side of the interval, proved to be their downfall.
The players cannot be blamed for a lack of effort – they had that in abundance – but the question must be asked as to why they struggle to overcome teams reduced in numbers. It has happened in the past and boss Dave Frecklington will hope the problem can be addressed before it occurs again.
Only a week previously the situation was reversed when the two teams met at the Sir Halley Stewart Field. That time it was the Tulips playing for 45 minutes a man short, but Newcastle fought back to earn a share of the points.
Saturday’s return encounter was again keenly contested from the start and play largely throughout was from end to end, with plently of goal area activity.
The Tulips were first to show promise, with Acar putting a free header from Andy Wright’s cross to the far post over the bar.
A few minutes later Jack Wightwick breezed through the home side’s defences to unleash a fine shot which goalkeeper Aaron Dillon blocked with his chest at the expence of a corner.
Wright’s resulting kick created mayhem, before being cleared from the goalline by Sam Bradbury.
The breakthrough came on 12 minutes. Skipper Nathan Stainfield was fouled as he stepped into the 18 yard area and a penalty awarded.
Goalkeeper Dillon beat away Acar’s spot kick, but Wright snapped up the free ball and slipped it back inside to give Acar a second chance – which he accepted.
Newcastle were down to ten men in the 27th minute when Jon Beaumont received a straight red for a foul to Bradley Wells.
But the home side seemed to take a new lease of life and went in at the break on level terms with Lee Cropper firing in a penalty with consummate ease following a foul just inside the area by Jordan Lemon.
Ten minutes into the second half Cropper again beat Michael Duggan from the spot to put his side into a lead they were not prepared to concede.
The referee’s decision was hotly-disputed this time, with Stainfield claiming to have been kicked while attempting to halt Dan Cocks – but all away appeals fell onto deaf ears.
At the other end, keeper Dillon did well to save at the second attempt from Matt Varley, while Spalding’s Duggan made two super saves to prevent Tom Urwin and Chris Baker from adding to the home tally.
The result sees the Tulips fall six points behind Newcastle, who replace Shaw Lane at the summit after Saturday’s success.
Shaw Lane, in turn, are three points better off than Spalding having played a game less than them.
The clash also marked winger Wright’s last game for the Tulips. He’s now returned to parent club Lincoln City.
Tulips: Duggan, Walker, Field (Higginson 46), Varley, Stainfield, Wright (Hamilton 76), Griffiths, Wightwick, Wells, Acar (Downey 65), Lemon.
Attendance: 105
