Spalding United 1
Stafford Rangers 2
Unbeaten Stafford Rangers handed Spalding United their first defeat of the new Evo-Stik League First Division South season on Saturday as they bagged a goal in each half at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.
Striker Ben Haseley struck in the 17th minute to give the visitors a deserved half-time lead, before Nathan Rooney’s classy 77th-minute effort looked to seal all three points for Stafford.
Spalding, who missed a host of good chances in the second period, pulled one back when Mitch Griffiths tapped home from close-range five minutes from time.
But any hopes of a comeback were extinguished in added time when goal-scorer Griffiths was dismissed for a nasty late tackle on Tom Morris.
Tulips chief Pat Rayment felt that his side, which featured returning captain Nathan Stainfield and new signing Ross Watson, did enough to merit a draw.
But he lamented a drab first-half showing and missed chances from sub Tom Waumsley in the second-half as they slipped to a rare home defeat.
Rayment said: “Well, it was a game of two halves really. We were second best first half, there’s no two ways about it really.
“They were first to every ball and we were second best in every department.
“But at half time I told them to dig in – and I thought we went out and created the better chances after that.
“We had some great opportunities, Tom in particular, but didn’t take them. At the other end, the two goals we conceded were very sloppy. The first one was, well, hoof ball wasn’t it? We got opened up by a bit punt and a flick on for the striker – it was schoolboy stuff.
“Then for the second goal we just didn’t clear our lines well enough. Even after going 2-0 down we had chances, so we’re only talking about fine margins here.
“On the red card, Mitch will know that it wasn’t a good tackle. When you leave your leg in like that you’re always asking for a red card. I do hope their lad is alright. I’ve got no complaints.
“You only have to listen to the noise they made in their dressing room to know that they consider coming here and winning a big deal.
“We’ll learn from this, we’re still a team in transition. All in all I’m disappointed with the first-half performance and the result, but I do think that a draw would perhaps have been a fairer result.
“I’m not worried. We’ve started much better than we did last year.”
In front of a season-high crowd of 205 at the Sir Halley, Spalding almost made the perfect start when they bundled the ball into the net inside the opening few minutes. The effort was, however, correctly ruled out for a foul by striker Charley Sanders on Rangers keeper Adam Whitehouse following a corner.
Then came a warning shot from Stafford, as midfielder Rooney half-volleyed an excellent pass through to dangerman Haseley, who fired an angled left-footed strike just wide of the post.
The Tulips didn’t get so lucky on 17 minutes, though, as a long ball forward was flicked on by Stafford skipper Christian Dacres and into the path of the speedy Haseley. This time the chance fell on his right foot – and he smashed a high effort into the top corner.
Spalding’s best moment of the first half came moments later, as Griffiths’ deep cross was met on the volley by Josh Moreman. His effort was thunderous, but wide of the far post. That was a rare blot on Stafford’s copybook, though. They had chances to extend their lead before half-time – including a wonderful sweeping move that concluded with rampaging right back Alex Melbourne working keeper Michael Duggan with a powerful effort.
Unhappy with his side, Rayment hauled Sam Murphy off on 35 minutes and threw striker Waumsley on in a bid to stifle Rangers’ domination.
It seemed to do the trick, as the first half of the second period was much more even – although Rooney did force another decent stop from Duggan after unleashing a low near-post effort.
A better chance fell to Waumsley minutes later, but he blazed well over following a clever scooped pass by debutant Watson. The offside flag spared his blushes, at least. Moreman, who was a little more subdued than his usual electric self, then flashed a 25-yarder wide as Spalding began to build up a head of steam.
The pressure continued and the Tulips soon carved out their best chance of the afternoon, with the ball dropping to Waumsley some ten yards out. He hit the ball well, but Whitehouse pulled off a superb acrobatic save to deny him.
Captain Stainfield, who was on fine form in his first outing of the season, was next to work Whitehouse with a header before nodding over from the resulting corner.
Stafford, however, were always a threat on the break. Rooney forced the excellent Duggan into another super save from one such attack, before grabbing goal number two on 77 minutes.
The Tulips squandered possession in their own half and Rangers worked the ball to the midfielder on the right. He sat Duggan down by turning back onto his left, before rifling an effort low past a host of defenders on the line.
That looked like being game over, but Spalding had other ideas. Strong play from Sanders in the penalty box looked set to bring him a goal – but when the ball broke loose Griffiths was on hand to tap home at the back post.
However, a horrible challenge from the winger on sub Morris saw his game end prematurely in the final minute – and Spalding’s hopes of a leveller went with him.
Tulips: Duggan, Walker, Jackson, Spafford, Stainfield, Murphy (Waumsley 35), Watson, Griffiths, Sanders, Lawlor (Banister 72), Moreman (Nuttell 81). Not used: Millson, Hussey.
Sponsors’ MOTM: Neal Spafford.
Attendance: 205
