Spalding United 2 Wisbech Town 0
In-form Spalding United made it three wins from as many Pitching In NPL Midlands Division games on Tuesday night as they defeated neighbours Wisbech Town 2-0.
It was a sweet success for Tulips chief Brett Whaley, who was taking charge of his side for only the eighth time after leaving the Fenmen to take the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field hotseat.
Spalding led 1-0 at the break thanks to another strike from leading scorer Jordan Macleod in the final minute of the first half.
They then doubled their advantage 11 minutes from time when central defender Nathan Stainfield powered home a trademark header from a corner.
The victory keeps Spalding 11th in the standings, but their winning streak has seen them move to within three points of eighth place.
They started well, with Ben Seymour-Shove seeing an early effort deflected wide.
But Wisbech, who are battling relegation the season, steadied the ship and there was little between this sides in the first 20 minutes.
The Tulips always boasted more firepower, though, and they took the lead right at the end of the first period when Macleod tapped home following great work from Seymour-Shove.
The second half served up few chances, but Spalding keeper Michael Duggan had to be at his best to deny Toby Allen an equaliser.
Wisbech were made to pay for that miss, with dominant defender Stainfield rising highest to bury Ben Starkie’s delivery in the 79th minute.
It was far from a classic, but Whaley’s side did what was expected of them.
Next up for Spalding is a home date with high-flying Carlton Town on Saturday (3pm).
Whaley has plenty of respect for the sixth-placed side and feels it’ll take a top performance to beat them.
Tulips: Duggan, Floyd, Bucci, Marshall, Stainfield, Cartwright, Jones, Starkie, Edge (Koroma 64), Macleod, Seymour-Shove (Adams 84).
Attendance: 335.
