Spalding United’s assistant manager Lewis Thorogood is calling on the town to get behind his side for six games he says are “as important, if not more important” than recent promotion play-offs.
The Tulips host play-off chasing Ossett United at the Sir Halley Stewart on Saturday and go into the game two points above second from bottom Carlton who have a game in hand.
It’s all part of an epic Evo-Stik East relegation fight which sees just seven points separating the bottom seven.
With fine margins potentially proving vital, Spalding’s assistant manager Thorogood has made a plea to the town (and Peterborough United season ticket holders) to show their support for the Tulips.
“I want to appeal to the people of Spalding to get behind the team,” he said. “It’s a proper non-league club with wonderful people behind it.
“This run of games is as important if not more important than the play-off games two years ago.
“Keeping hold of our league status is huge.
“We need the people of Spalding to come and support us.
“Our match day hospitality is top drawer and if they bring the family they will have a fantastic day. Even 20 to 30 more people through the door has a massive difference and it’s a cliche, but we want them to be our 12th man.”
With Peterborough United not playing this weekend, Spalding are doing a special offer for their season ticket holders who can get their football fix at the Sir Halley for just £5 for adults and £2 for children if they show their season tickets.
Thorogood hopes a bumper crowd will help Spalding bounce back after a late 1-0 loss to fellow relegation threatened Stocksbridge last Saturday.
“Both teams cancelled each other out,” Thorogood said. “We squandered a couple of decent chances in the first half including two one-on-ones.
“They should have had a player sent off for an off the ball challenge in the area but the referee said he’d forgotten which number committed the foul.
“We had things go against us and we should have taken the points.
“It makes Saturday vital and we’ve got six games left, three at home, and it’s all in our hands. It’s down to us to get us out of this situation.
“Ossett will be a totally different game against a very well supported team who have good players and who play attacking football.
“We have to be stronger, quicker – match them man for man, make it hard for them and not give them time on the ball.
“We did very well at their place restricting them to long range efforts and we’ll have to go with a game plan that we’ll be working on in training.”
Thorogood says he will make changes and that after three games without a goal in their three defeats during March, he’s looking for his side to be more clinical in front of goal.
One particular person who Thorogood hopes will be able to attend and lift the players is manager Matt Easton who is “on the mend” according to Thorogood after illness.
“We’re all missing him,” Thorogood said.
