It’s two wins out of two for Spalding United in a fine start to the Pitching In Northern Premier League campaign.
The Tulips were 3-1 winners at Walsall Wood on Saturday before seeing off Rushden and Diamonds 2-0 at The Sir Halley Stewart on Tuesday night.
They had to work for the victory in both games.
Walsall Wood were the Central Midland League champions last season, making their bow in the Midlands Division.
On a difficult pitch the Tulips started well despite losing Danny Draper to an early injury.
Draper had earlier had an effort saved by the keeper before Spalding took a 14th minute lead from the spot.
On his league debut Dan Sweeney was bundled over and he dispatched the resulting penalty for the Tulips’ first goal of the season.
He went close again moments later but his effort was saved by Wood keeper Keiran Boucher.
The hosts came more into the game later on in the half as another debutant in goal, Tony Breedon, kept out an Alex Bradley free kick.
Two goals early in the second half effectively sealed the win for Spalding after they came out for the second half all guns blazing.
Wilson Carvalho ended a fine move by the Tulips to make it 2-0 in the 57th minute.
That was before Sweeney netted his second finishing a ball in from Sam Warbuton.
Walsall netted a late consolation to make it 3-1.
Manager Elliot Sandy described that as the only disappointment but described the performance as “fantastic”.
“They were right at it from the start,” he told the club’s social media channel. “Scoring three goals away from home is what you’re looking for and we had some other really good chances and their keeper made some really good saves.
“The first game of the season is always difficult, it’s a tough place to come and they’re a side who didn’t given in and will get some decent results.”
Spalding were even more dominant against Rushden and Diamonds on Tuesday night in front of a brilliant crowd of 470.
They utilised the immaculate looking Sir Halley Stewart playing surface that the club have spent so much time and effort in improving over the season.
Despite creating numerous chances though, the Tulips had to wait until deep into the second half to seal the win.
The first half was goalless despite Warbuton’s brilliant touch and half volley slamming against the upright, Sweeney being denied and Dan Clifton, Lewis Hilliard and Steph Morley seeing efforts just go over.
Spalding were nearly hit on the break but Johnston put it over the bar when clean through.
The breakthrough came close to the hour into the second half.
Morley’s free kick to the back post was looped back over the keeper by Sam Cartwright before nestling into the side of the net.
A lovely Spalding move ended with Sweeney having his effort well saved before the same player was denied in a scramble at the back post.
The clincher came five minutes from time.
Again it was a ball to the back post, this time the impressive James Clifton rising highest at the byline and nodding across for Jordan Graham’s simple head in to the net from a couple of yards out.
Rushden hit the frame of the goal late on but Clifton was denied a Spalding third by a fine save.
“It was a good performance,” Sandy said. “Rushden came with a game plan to try and make it difficult for us and to be fair they did it really well.
“First half we had a lot of the ball without hurting them.
“I said at half time we were forcing it and to keep the ball and dictate where want to be in the final third.
“We also said about set pieces and a great delivery from Morley and header from Cartwright puts us in the lead and we settled into the game after that and dominated.”
Next up it’s the FA Cup with Shepshed Dynamo the visitors to the Sir Halley on Saturday.
“It’s always a nice distraction from the league and we’ve lads who have done really well in the competition in the past and they’ll be wanting to get as far as they can.
“It’s massive for the club with the funds available and for the fans really. There were nearly 500 v Rushden so hopefully they’ll come out again and support us against a really tough Shepshed side.”
Tulips v Walsall Wood: Breedon, Draper (Hilliard 11), Warburton (Morley), Walker, Stainfield, Cartwright, Barker, Clifton, Sweeney, Graham (Taylor), Carvalho. Subs not used: Curtis, Peters.
Attendance: 106
Tulips v AFC Rushden and Diamonds Breedon, Carvalho, Hilliard, Warburton, Walker, Morley, Cartwright, Barker, Clifton, Sweeney, Graham, Carvalho. Subs: Taylor, Curtis, Bucci, Sandy.
Attendance: 470
