The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding United manager Pat Rayment is considering bolstering his squad after a costly Lincolnshire Senior Trophy defeat at Stamford on Tuesday.
The Tulips head to Evo-stik Division One South leaders Newcastle Town on Saturday with serious concerns over Mitch Griffiths (ankle), Jordan Nuttell (dead leg) and Jordan Hempenstall (knee).
All three hobbled off in the 1-0 loss at Stamford – only the Tulips’ second defeat in 22 league and cup outings.
Rayment said: “I’m not disappointed in the performance – I’m more concerned about the injuries we picked up and those players look major doubts for Saturday.
“I might have to go back into the transfer market.
“I didn’t expect those injuries – it wasn’t a naughty game at all. It’s just something every manager has to live with.
“I still expect Saturday’s fit 11 to perform well for us.”
It could have been a very different outcome at the neat Zeeco Stadium if the Tulips had taken at least some of a host of first-half chances – Hempenstall being the biggest culprit.
First his touch let him down at a crucial point in front of goal after great link-up play with Nuttell and Jack McGovern, allowing Daniels keeper Andy Stevens to smother the ball.
Then the striker had his head in his hands after pulling a shot across the face of the goal with the net gaping.
A third great opportunity went begging when neither Hempenstall nor Andrew Tidswell could get anything on a whipped centre from Jamie Thurlbourne, which eluded the home defence.
Moments later Tidswell sent McGovern charging to the byline, but his pull-back missed Hempenstall’s run.
The Tulips paid the price for their profligacy when Lewis Carr fired the only goal on the hour.
Rayment said: “I’ve said for a while now that I don’t think we’ve got quite the cutting edge. We should have been ahead and the game should have buried.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle Town are one of the top sides which Rayment recently dismissed as serious title challengers. The Tulips’ 2-1 home defeat back in September still niggles him.
He said: “We got mugged in that game – it was absolute robbery. But credit to them – since we played them they have stayed where they are.
“The next four matches we have are against the three teams above us – Newcastle, Sutton Coldfield and Mickleover Sports – and a very improving Tividale.”
Striker Ryan Oliver and centre-half Nathan Stainfield return to the squad on Saturday.
Tulips: Duggan, Griffiths (Webb 52), Jackson, Stevens, Leary, Nuttell (Clarke 64), McGovern, Hall, Tidswell, Hempenstall (Waumsley 59), Thurlbourne.
