ROMULUS 1
SPALDING UTD 2
Goals either side of half-time earned Spalding United only their second away win of the Evo-Stik NPL First Division South season on Saturday – but it came at a cost.
Jordan Lemon’s 41st-minute cross was turned home by a Romulus defender at the Central Ground, before the in-form Jamie Jackson made it 2-0 on 49 minutes.
Harry Harrison (83) pulled one back for the bottom-of-the-table hosts, but the Tulips held on to win 2-1 and move up to sixth in the table.
There was a late blow for Chris Rawlinson’s side, though, with Neal Spafford forced off in the final minute with a torn calf muscle that will keep him out for a few months.
Rawlinson said: “It’s always nice to win away – our away form hasn’t been great this season.
“People will have looked at the fixture and felt we were overwhelming favourites, but their home form has been solid.
“I’ll be honest, we didn’t play brilliantly. There was a 30 minute spell either side of half-time that won us the game. We flattered to deceive at times, but the most important thing was the result.
“It was a windy day and Romulus is a tough place to go at the best of times.
“Our Bank Holiday results aside, I’m happy with how things have gone in the league so far.
“We’re one of many teams in the mix for the play-offs. We know we’re only a few bad results away from things changing, but overall I’m pleased with how things are going.”
Home captain Cameron Lee hit the bar on 28 minutes, but it was Spalding who went ahead on the 3G pitch at Coles Lane when Lemon’s cross was deflected into the net.
Jackson’s strike, which turned out to be the winner, was a real cracker as he raced clear and fired home a fine finish early in the second period.
Harris hit back eight minutes from time, but Spalding held on for a victory, which saw them climb four places up the table.
Tulips: Duggan, Walker, A Jackson, Marshall, Humble, Spafford (Fixter 90), Lemon, Beeson, J Jackson, Lockie (King 46), Acar. Not used: Neil, Millington, Maddison.
