The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Matt Easton wants his Spalding United side to use last Saturday’s remarkable 7-3 victory over Pontefract Collieries as a springboard towards survival.
The Tulips produced their best performance in recent memory to smash the Evo-Stik NPL East Division title hopefuls at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field (see page 37), but Easton insists that his side can’t afford for it to be a one-off.
New signings Rudy Musambo, Isaac Cooper and Romario Martin – all from Hednesford Town – made a great impact on their debut, but the boss feels he always had a squad capable of producing much better than the league table suggests.
“Obviously, last weekend was a great day for us all,” said Easton, whose side sit 16th in the table. “We were as solid as ever and worked really hard.
“Pontefract thrashed us earlier in the season, but we returned the favour – and it just shows what we’re capable of really.
“Yes, the new lads helped. They come all the way from near Birmingham, but just want to play football. We can offer them that.
“But, in truth, the result just shows what we can achieve as a group. I’ll not get carried away, we need to be much more consistent.
“I want to see us use this result to go on and get a few more wins, which should get us clear of the relegation zone.
“At the moment, it’s too close for comfort really.”
Despite their upturn in form, it seems that Spalding have seen the last of the popular Ben Davison in blue.
The former captain has asked to be released by the Tulips after indicating that he’d like to join rivals Lincoln United – who Spalding coincidentally visit this Saturday (3pm).
NEW SKIPPER: Leon Mettam will lead from the front. Photo by JAKE WHITELEY
Easton named striker Leon Mettam as the new club captain last weekend and fully expects Davison to get his wish and join Lincoln; but insists that the club won’t sanction his exit until after this weekend’s derby.
“Lincoln can’t approach Ben as he’s already turned them down once this season,” added the Tulips chief. “But he’s indicated a desire to go to Lincoln.
“Ben has been a great servant to the club and is very popular here, so I’ve got no problem sorting that for him.
“But we’d be daft to allow it to happen a few days before we play them.
“There’s no problem here at all. Lincoln have been very respectful and, actually, the two clubs have a good relationship.
“We have a lot of players that have played for the other side, so it’s always a tasty fixture when it comes up.
“With Ben leaving, Leon has stepped up as captain.
“He’s a really professional guy and has the respect of the dressing room.
“I know that he’ll lead from the front for us.”
Spalding go into the game without Conor Marshall, who is currently on holiday.
Winger Jenk Acar has also had a scan on his injured knee this week and the club are waiting for the results.
But midfielder George Zuerner could make a welcome return to the fold after being given the all-clear following his worrying head injury.
Striker Kieran Wells has left to club to join Hednesford Town, but new signings Musambo, Cooper and Martin should all be available.
