A double from Scott Quinney helped Netherton United Reserves sink Spalding United Reserves 3-1 on Saturday.
The reverse is the Tulips’ seventh defeat of the season – and they slip to eighth in ChromaSport Peterborough League Division One as their poor league form continued.
To say the game was played amid windy conditions would be an understatement. Played on a 3G pitch, the game twice had to be stopped in the first half due to the goals (which were on wheels) moving off the goal-line.
However, it was the home side who dealt with the conditions much better.
In the first half, with the wind at their backs, Netherton looked to seize an early advantage.
Spalding’s stand-in keeper, Jack Chilvers, made an important save with his feet early on to keep the scores level.
Jamie Cartlidge had a couple of half chances when Spalding hit the hosts on the counter, but it wasn’t until just after the half hour that Quinney opened the scoring.
As Netherton overloaded the right-hand side of the penalty area, Quinney had time to pick his spot and drill his effort into the corner.
Then, bang on half time, Netherton took a massive step towards the three points as they scored twice in stoppage time.
The Tulips sloppily lost the ball on the half-way line and were caught three on three. The ball was played through to Quinney, who doubled his side’s lead along with his own tally.
Then, moments later, Jonathan Spink headed in the third for the jubilant hosts.
Despite striker Cartlidge scoring five minutes after the restart, Spalding weren’t able to match the home side’s possession in the first half, even with the wind.
In truth, it was a lacklustre display and a comeback never looked likely.
Kev Nottingham’s side are now four games without a win and are 12 points off the top two.
Spalding United Reserves: Chilvers, Haw (Harrison), Endersbee (c), Nichols, Phillips, Mroczka, Rose, Holland, Klos (Coles), McGuire, Cartlidge.
