BASFORD UTD 2
SPALDING UTD 1
An unfortunate early own goal by skipper Adam Jackson proved to be the difference between Spalding United and unbeaten league leaders Basford United at Greenwich Avenue on Saturday, writes RAY TUCKER.
After a week of upheaval and uncertainty that saw manager Chris Rawlinson’s have his playing budget slashed, the Tulips just about deserved a share of the Evo-Stik NPL First Division South points after a hard-fought and entertaining encounter.
Rawlinson had commented earlier that he would not have, due to the circumstances, wanted to field an inexperienced team at this level to get a real battering.
As it happened he had the satisfaction of having a full regular squad at his disposal – and they did not disappoint.
Jackson’s seventh minute gift to the home side – slicing an attempted clearance past helpless keeper Michael Duggan – was a real blow.
But the team dug in to deny the league leaders, who stand ten points clear of the field and have yet to face defeat.
Once again new signing Ben Davison was prominent for the Tulips, showing a real appetite for the game and, for the second game in succession, he won the Tulips’ man-of-the-match honours.
Weathering the early onslaught well, the Tulips settled to match their hosts in effort and possession and carve out a few scoring opportunities.
They were close to an equaliser on 16 minutes when Cenk Acar’s well delivered low cross whizzed inches wide of the far post.
Then, mid-way through the half, Adam Jackson’s 25-yard effort almost caught home keeper Saul Deeney off guard, but he reacted well to clutch the ball just beneath the crossbar.
Jamie Jackson also went close with a low shot and, minutes before the break, he was denied by Deeney after connecting with a typical Lee Beeson delivery from the right side.
But for all of their effort the Tulips conceded a second goal on 69 minutes with Basford substitute Matthew Thornhill threading a way through the defence to give Duggan no chance with a crisp finish.
Shortly after, only a fine fingertip save by Duggan, turned a stinging drive from Robert Duffy over the bar to keep the Tulips in the game.
At the other end of the pitch, promising play by the visitors failed to reap reward and the team had to wait until the second minute of added time to get on the scoresheet when Gary King was provided with a tap-in opportunity.
The Tulips had given their all and overall their contribution to an entertaining encounter deserved to have been rewarded with a share of the points.
Instead, their reward was dropping down a few places to tenth in the table – albeit still within striking distance of the play-off positions.
Tulips: Duggan, Lemon (Fixter 84), A Jackson, Marshall (Maddison 84), Walker, Humble, Beeson, Davison, J Jackson, King, Acar (Lockie 77). Not used: Smith.
MOTM: Ben Davison.
Attendance: 169.
