The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Tulips boss Dave Freckington believes there is plenty more to come from his side after they made a winning start to their home campaign in the EvoStik League Division One South on Tuesday night.
Second half goals from recent recruits Jenk Acar and Bradley Wells guided the Tulips to victory and a tidy four-point return from their opening two league clashes.
However, they needed a crucial second half penalty save from goalkeeper Michael Duggan to prevent them going behind to the Nottinghamshire visitors.
And, after seeing his side squander a two-goal interval lead in Saturday’s league bow at Bedworth, Frecklington is hoping for greater consistency as the season progresses.
He said: “I was very disappointed after Saturday, especially with our second half performance.
“We were determined to put that right on Tuesday and our first half performance was everything that I wanted it to be.
“But again we didn’t start the second half well enough. We invited them onto us and let them cause us problems.
“We have got a new group of players though and they’re still getting used to what we want from them.
“We are not the finished article, but we’ve got the three points we wanted on the board and that will be good for our confidence.
“It was a true test of our character which we passed because we never stopped working hard.
“The back four and goalkeeper were really solid while Nathan Whitehead and Matthew Varley in midfield were big and strong and showed that they will take no prisoners.
“Bradley Wells has been outstanding. He’s a great finisher and his all-round game has been good with his hold-up play bringing others into the game.”
Spalding had made a bright start to the contest with Nathan Stainfield heading inches over the crossbar and Varley’s long throws causing numerous problems for the Carlton defence.
The best opportunity of the half fell to Wells after Whitehead’s slide-rule pass found him in space, but the in-form frontman dragged his shot wide of the far post.
Duggan and his defence had dealt comfortably with any threat Carlton had posed in the opening period, but the visitors took the initiative from the Tulips early in the second half.
And they had a gilt-edged chance to take the lead when Jason Field was penalised for a foul in the box, but Duggan came to his side’s rescue with a smart stop from Daniel Gordon’s spot kick.
The let-off seemed to rejuvenate the Tulips who took a 61st minute through Acar.
The Lincoln City loanee was released by Andrew Wright and, although he shot straight at Carlton custodian Jack Steggles, the ball squirmed from his grasp and Acar netted the rebound.
Whitehead went close to doubling Spalding’s tally with a stinging drive which brought a smart save out of Streggles.
Spalding then gained another reprieve with 14 minutes remaining as Duggan saved at point blank range to deny Carlton substitute Kevin Lusamba.
The ball looped up though into the path of the incoming Josh Rae but, with the goal at his mercy, he headed against the home crossbar.
And Spalding made the most of the Millers’ miss by doubling their advantage with just eight minutes remaining.
Wells latched onto a long clearance before lobbing the advancing Steggles for his third goal in two games since joining the club.
Spalding then came close to adding a third goal in the dying throes as substitutes Jonny Lockie and Tom Waumsley combined.
Teenager Lockie showed a blistering turn of pace down the right wing before crossing for Waumsley whose first-time effort cannoned back off the Carlton crossbar.
Spalding: Duggan, Walker, Field, Varley, Stainfield, Spafford, Downey (Lockie), Whitehead, Wells, Acar, Wright (Waumsley). Not used: Costa.
Attendance: 90.
Spalding hit the FA Cup trail on Saturday when they visit Ryman League Division One North side Bury Town.
Jordan Lemon returns to the Tulips squad after completing his suspension. The winners face an away trip to Mickleover Sports in the first qualifying round.
