Boss Kev Nottingham was left scratching his head wondering how Spalding United Reserves failed to earn at least a point from his Saturday’s 3-2 home defeat against Wittering Town.
Two weeks without a game showed in the early stages at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field, as the hosts went 2-0 down inside 15 minutes of the ChromaSport PDFL Division One clash.
The first goal had more than a hint of offside about it and the second, despite a quality strike from the edge of the box, saw Spalding fail to close their men down in the initial build-up.
Suddenly with only one win from their last three games and trailing by two, things didn’t look very optimistic for the hosts.
But mid-way through the half Spalding began to find their rhythm. Matt Rose took charge of the midfield and Robbie Relf’s through balls started to open up the Wittering defence.
Indeed it was from Relf’s cross on the half-hour that young Jonny Lockie pulled one back courtesy of a half-volley strike from the edge of the six-yard box.
The scores were then level early in the second half, as Spalding won a corner and Jamie Cartlidge’s near-post header brought the two sides level.
The momentum was now with the home side and, despite the deteriorating conditions, Spalding controlled possession by zipping the ball around the wet surface.
But they failed to convert their possession into chances – and it proved costly.
Wittering always looked dangerous on the break and it was through this method that they took the lead for the second time in the game.
It proved decisive as, despite a couple of late efforts through Jack Chilvers, the away side held on to win 3-2.
Now fifth, Spalding Reserves visit Whittlesey Reserves on Saturday.
Spalding United Reserves: Elderkin, Haw (Chilvers), Phillips, Endersbee, Nichols, McGuire (Klos), Rose, Mroczka, Relf, Lockie, Cartlidge.
