The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Coalville Town 1
Spalding United 2
WINNER: Michael Leary (right) sealed Spalding’s win at Coalville. Photo by ROB SAVAGE
Ecstatic Pat Rayment lauded Spalding United’s best result of their Evo-Stik League First Division South campaign so far after seeing his side come back from a goal behind to win at Coalville Town.
Jed Davies had put the hosts 1-0 up early in the second period at Owen Street on Tuesday night, but Tom Waumsley and skipper Michael Leary hit back to seal a famous victory for the Tulips.
Having thrashed Kidsgrove Athletic 5-0 on Saturday, it’s now back-to-back league wins for Spalding, who also registered their first away win of the season in Leicestershire.
Usually a hard taskmaster, Tulips chief Rayment couldn’t hide his delight at the performance his depleted side put in as they climbed up to ninth in the table.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic,” beamed the Spalding supremo. “The lads are really starting to step up to the plate at this level now.
“This result is incredible for us against a side that will be up there come the end of the season. But what pleases me even more is the performance – we could easily have won by more.
“The lads have really galvanised themselves after a few bad results and this is a real statement win. I’m just really happy with the team.
“To do this with the likes of Chris Hall, Nathan Stainfield, Ash Burbeary and Mark Jones missing is really impressive.
“We’re now getting points on the board. It’s vital that we do that now so we are in the hunt when our injured players come back.”
Spalding felt they should have been ahead at half time, with Mitch Griffiths denied by a stunning goal-line clearance from Jamie McAteer after he had rounded the keeper.
It remained goalless until just after the break, when Town’s Davies lashed home an emphatic finish past Michael Duggan after a cross from Cam Stuart.
But Spalding refused to lie down and levelled when Andrew Tidswell crossed from the left for strike partner Waumsley to finish from close range.
Better was to follow for the visiting Tulips in the closing stages, as Coalville keeper Sean Bowles spilled a free kick right into the path of Leary, who fired home to secure perhaps the most significant win of Rayment’s reign at the club.
Tulips: Duggan, Bore, Miller, Leary, Jackson, Griffiths, Webb, L Thurlbourne, Waumsley (G Stainfield), Tidswell, J Thurlbourne. Not used: Jones, McKue, Roberts.
Attendance: 142
Tuesday’s results: Evo-Stik League First Division South: Brigg Town 1 Rainworth Miners Welfare 2; Carlton Town 3 Goole AFC 0; Chasetown 1 Newcastle Town 1; Coalville Town 1 Spalding United 2; Lincoln United 2 Loughborough Dynamo 4; Mickleover Sports 2 Romulus 0; Norton United 0 Tividale 1; Sheffield FC 3 Gresley FC 1; Sutton Coldfield Town 4 Market Drayton Town 1.
UCL Premier Division: Desborough Town 2 Oadby Town 1; Thurnby Nirvana 2 Harrowby United 1.
