Spalding United enjoyed a win in their first ever match at step three on Saturday.
Sam Bennett’s second minute strike was enough to give the Tulips an opening day 1-0 win over Bedford in the Southern League Premier Division at the Sir Halley Stewart Field.
After a fine first half display against Bedford, Spalding showed the other side of their game in the second period, doggedly holding on to the three points.
Assistant manager James Clifton said: “The first games are normally always hectic but I thought the lads were brilliant in the first half.
“We were unlucky not to go in maybe two up, which would have been fair, but we had three very good chances.
“The second half was a different game. It was obviously very hot and the lads got a bit tired but they defended really well. There was a lot of balls in; long throws into the box that they had to deal with.”
Clifton was delighted to see fans respond to the club’s promotion, with almost 500 going through the Sir Halley Stewart gates and added: “It’s nice that we’re starting to pick up new fans, it was a tremendous attendance.”
Tulips v Bedford: Breeden, Ezewele, Warburton, Walker, Cartwright, Dawes, Barker, Clifton (Chettle), Winters (Graham), Ngandu (Hilliard), Bennett (Darlington). Sub: White
Attendance: 462.
Photos by Adrian Smith.
