Spalding United 4
Goole 1
Spalding United rediscovered their scoring touch on Saturday as they confidently dispatched ten-man Goole 4-1 to move back into the Evo-Stik League First Division South play-off places.
Avelino Vieira marked his home Spalding bow with a classy opener on seven minutes, only for a Michael Duggan foul to allow Liam Schofield to level from the penalty spot (26) midway through the half.
Then came the game-changer on the brink of half time, as Goole defender Oliver Steeple handled a goal-bound Mitch Griffiths header on the line – allowing Jamie Thurlbourne to restore the Tulips’ lead from the spot.
Leading scorer Tom Waumsley then jumped off the bench to seal the success with a second-half double, notching with clinical accuracy on 75 and 85 minutes to move Spalding up to fifth in the table.
The victory gives the Tulips a mental advantage ahead of Tuesday night’s return trip to Goole (7.45pm), with boss Pat Rayment targeting the second of the six wins he believes will clinch his charges a place in the end-of-season play-offs.
And although he was disappointed with the nature of the goal his side shipped, Rayment was pleased to see Waumsley and new signing Vieira on the scoresheet.
The Spalding supremo said: “I’m obviously pleased with the three points and to get a few goals.
“But I’m also very disappointed with the goal we conceded. It was definitely a penalty – I would have given it, without a doubt. Leading up to it was absolutely calamitous on our behalf.
“Goole are a young team and didn’t make things easy for ourselves. I’m pleased for Tom Waumsley, we’ve got a few strikers here and we have to make decisions.
“You can’t coach what Tom does. You just don’t know what he’s going to do. His build up play isn’t the best, but when he doesn’t have to think about things, he hits the target and is relentless.
“It was a bit harsh on him not to start today. He’s certainly given me a selection headache now.
“It’s a good three points, the only disappointing thing is the goal we conceded.
“I’m pleased Avi (Vieira) got his goal. He’s been injured and has got to get used to the pace of the level. He scored a great goal, but it’s not easy for him to produce his best straight away.
“If we can go there on Tuesday and get another win, we’re only four more off my target of six wins to get into the play-offs.
“It’s all about results at this stage, but I wanted to see us play well. We can’t keep playing poorly and getting results, it’ll catch up with us. But overall, I’m pleased today.”
On a bright, but bitterly cold, afternoon at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field, Spalding made the better start.
They could have been ahead inside five minutes when Vieira failed to convert an inviting Mitch Griffiths cross from just six yards out. But the ex-Peterborough Northern Star hitman made no mistake moments later, as he expertly lobbed keeper Peter Fot’ko on the half-volley after chasing down a hopeful ball over the top.
However, Goole almost hit back immediately when Matt Semley raced clear after capitalising on some poor Tulips defending. The backline had keeper Duggan to thank, as he saved superbly at the feet of The Vikings’ man.
The leveller did eventually arrived on 26 minutes, with Duggan guilty of bringing down Craig Tomkinson after some pretty ordinary defending from his team. Referee Tim Walker initially waved the calls for a spot-kick away, but his assistant was in no doubt.
Neither was left back Schofield, who dispatched the penalty coolly into the bottom right corner.
That served as a wake-up call for the Tulips, with the excellent Jack McGovern and wideman Nathan Adams both forcing saves from the impressive Fot’ko before the defining moment of the match.
It arrived just before the break, with defender Steeple inexplicably tipping Griffiths’ header on the woodwork with his hand. It was a clear red card – and Thurlbourne doubled the punishment with a calm low penalty that sent the keeper the wrong way.
A man up, Spalding were the dominant side in the second period. McGovern fizzed a long-ranger just over and Matty Nolan lobbed an excellent opportunity wide as they pressed for number three.
They went even closer when Nathan Adams saw a header cleared off the line, but it was the introduction of Waumsley on 63 minutes that tipped the scales further in their favour.
The energetic frontman was an instant threat and forced Fot’ko to turn a low drive around the far post, before half-volleying wide with the outside of his boot from close range.
Fot’ko then saved superbly from Nolan at the back post following a Jamie Stevens flick on, but it was that man Waumsley who effectively made the points safe 15 minutes from time when he superbly slotted McGovern’s clever pass into the far corner.
Duggan was forced to make a smart stop to deny Derry Robson at the other end, but it was from one of his long kicks that Spalding wrapped up the points. Waumsley raced onto the bouncing ball and profited from some hesitant Goole defending to double his money five minutes from time.
The victory ends a two-game winless streak for the Tulips – and sets them up perfectly for the Marcus Street reverse on Tuesday.
There’s even better news for Rayment’s side too, with Lee Beeson set to rejoin the club from South Holland rivals Holbeach United.
Right winger Beeson, who won the UCL Premier Division title with Spalding last season, has agreed terms with Rayment and will feature on Tuesday.
Rayment added: “We’ve agreed terms today (Saturday) with Lee Beeson to return to the club. He’ll be available at Goole on Tuesday night.
“It’s timely, as after Tuesday Mitch Griffiths goes to Las Vegas and misses games against Newcastle Town and Mickleover Sports. That’s a big blow for us, as he’s been absolutely outstanding.
“We’ve also got doubts over Nathan Stainfield, he failed a fitness test (before the Saturday Goole game). We hoped to play him Saturday to Saturday and manage his fitness, but that’s proving tough.
“It’s difficult. We’ve got the best centre half in the league – and he would be in the league above too – but he’s got a condition.
“Chris Hall also won’t be available due to work commitments, so we are really struggling. It’s hard for the players that are coming in to hit the ground running – but that has to be the demand.
“We can’t afford them to have two or three games to bed in.”
One other positive for the Tulips on Tuesday is the return of striker Gregg Smith from suspension.
Tulips: Duggan, Griffiths, Jackson, Stevens, Leary, Webb, Adams (L Thurlbourne 80), McGovern, Vieira (Waumsley 63), Nolan, J Thurlbourne. Not used: Ebdon.
Sponsors’ MOTM: Waumsley
Attendance: 135
SATURDAY’S RESULTS
Evo-Stik League
First Division South: Brigg Town 0 Tividale 2; Carlton Town 0 Leek Town 2; Chasetown 2 Lincoln United 1; Kidsgrove Athletic 1 Coalville Town 0; Market Drayton Town 2 Loughborough Dynamo 5; Mickleover Sports 3 Norton United 1; Rainworth Miners Welfare 0 Newcastle Town 1; Romulus 1 Stafford Rangers 0; Sheffield FC 2 Sutton Coldfield Town 3; Spalding United 4 Goole 1; Stocksbridge Park Steels 1 Gresley FC 1.
