Spalding United maintained their excellent festive month form with victory amid horrendous conditions in Nottinghamshire.
Victory over basement side AFC Mansfield at Forest Town Arena gave the Tulips a total of seven points from a possible nine from their last three games and elevated them another two places up the EvoStik NPL East Division table.
Playing conditions however, were far from ideal with an icy blast and heavy rain lashing down throughout.
Pretty football it was not, but nevertheless highly entertaining with both sets of players giving their all in search of precious points.
Experienced Tulips striker Leon Mettam said: “Without any doubt these are the worst conditions I have ever played in during my career. It’s been absolutely horrendous.”
The Tulips got away to a perfect start with a goal after just eight minutes.
An excellent break down the right side featuring brothers Bradley and Kieran Wells, who a few weeks ago were playing for The Bulls, won a corner kick – Kieran’s shot being turned away from the target by goalkeeper Jason White.
Tulips’ rising young star James Hugo switched from left side to the right and curled the ball in direct from the flag with his lethal left foot.
With play quickly switching to the other end, Tulips’ ‘keeper Michael Duggan intercepted a dangerous looking wing cross to prevent the home side homing in for a swift equaliser.
His home team counterpart made a good interception to deny Leon Mettam a touch in front of goal.
When the Bulls came again Grant Ryan, after weaving past a couple of defenders, sliced his shot well wide with the goal at his mercy.
But it was the Tulips who gained some breathing space with a second goal on 27 minutes.
Using the open spaces down the wing, Kieran Wells broke clear making tracks for goal. White advanced but had no chance to make contact with Kieran’s well struck shot.
Shortly afterwards the ‘keeper did manage to block another of Wells’ efforts.
As the first half drew to a close Duggan was at full stretch to turn a firm shot from Bulls’
Northampton Town loanee Joe Iaciofano away for a corner and then Kegan Everington was in the way to deflect another shot into touch.
Bulls did gain some reward for their efforts in the 57the minute when Iaciofano, clearly a couple of yards offside escaped to steer the ball home.
Play continued from end to end as the rain still lashed down, making it uncomfortable for players and the die-hard fans, including a small contingent from Spalding.
The scoreline was unchanged with differing emotions for both camps – the Tulips delighted with another three-pointer but the Bull’s disappointed to be further adrift in bottom position having not won a league game since September.
* Tulips: Michael Duggan, Conor Marshall, James Hugo, Jack Brownell, Ellis Humble, Neal Spafford, Kieran Wells, Kegan Everington (Luke White (82), Bradley Wells, Ben Davison, Leon Mettam (Liam Marshall (89). Subs (not used) Jenk Acar, Alex Smith. p MOTM Spafford.
* Attendance: 62
