The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Four-some Tydd St Mary beat Langtoft United Reserves 4-1 in the ChromaSport PDFL Division Two play-off final on Saturday to clinch a second promotion in as many seasons.
The Saints will play PDFL Division One football next season – alongside the likes of Crowland Town, Long Sutton Athletic and Moulton Harrox Reserves – thanks to goals from James Woods, Jason Bradshaw and Jordan Ainslie (2) at Yaxley’s In2itive Park 3G.
Langtoft started the stronger of the two teams and could have been 1-0 up after just two minutes, but the Saints weathered the storm and came back strong.
Then, on 17 minutes, the game completely changed as Tydd scored three goals in an electric six-minute period.
The first was scored by Woods when a searching ball into the box by skipper Will Kirkham saw him flick the ball past the keeper.
Moments later it was Bradshaw who converted a Darren Rawthorn corner, then Ainslie slammed home to make it 3-0 to Tydd on 23 minutes.
Langtoft then had two very good chances to reduce the deficit but poor finishing and some resolute goalkeeping by David Cooper kept the score at 3-0.
The Saints duly extended their lead on 41 minutes when a free kick found its way through to Ainslie. He wrong-footed the keeper and slotted into the bottom right-hand corner of the net for 4-0 at half-time.
Langtoft came out with the bit between their teeth for the second half and deservedly got a goal back after just two minutes of the restart when Tydd failed to clear their lines and the ball was bundled home for 4-1.
Co-boss Carl Wilson – who also saw his side win the Spalding Inter Services Trophy this season, said: “I am delighted with what we have achieved at Tydd St. Mary FC over the past five years – it is nothing short of outstanding.
“It was a very professional and disciplined performance and the lads did well.
“Division One football is where we belong as a first team, we have been saying that for some time now and we have finally made it.
“I couldn’t be happier – onwards and upwards!”
