The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Matt Easton wants Spalding United to get back to winning ways this week after seeing his side suffer their first loss of the BetVictor NPL South East Division season on Monday.
A second-half penalty from Daniel North (77) fired Lincoln United to a 1-0 home success over the Tulips, who had previously boasted a 100 per cent record in the league.
Having also lost 4-2 at home to Dereham Town in the FA Cup on Saturday, Easton is hopeful that his charges will be back on-song against Market Drayton Town at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field on Saturday (3pm) and at Ilkeston Town on Tuesday (7.45pm).
The Tulips have a weekend off after those two games and the boss hopes he’ll have a full strength squad available following that enforced break.
He said: “We probably should have been 2-0 up at half time. I thought we did OK on the day in tough conditions and played some good football in parts.
“We missed a few one-on-ones; had we taken those chances, it’s a different game.
“It wasn’t a great day overall, but it’s hard to be too tough on the lads. We took a few chances on the fitness of some places due to the amount of injuries that we’ve got and it almost paid off.
“I’m not going to be too hard on the lads, we’ve got a small squad and a lots of injuries.
“Overall I’m happy with the start. I’d say we probably need at least one win from our next two games to keep the momentum going.
“It’s not essential, but it’d be nice to get back on winning form. We’re set-up to take on anybody and we know that we can create chances to hurt other sides.
“If we can get past these two games unscathed, we’ll all of a sudden have plenty back and available after our weekend off.”
The Tulips had the better of the first half at Lincoln, with Jenk Acar missing an early one at the near post following Lewis Brownhill’s through ball.
Acar then saw an even better chance cleared off the line by Mark Gray, while Kegan Everington saw his back-post header saved by Michael Emery.
Jamie Jackson also worked Emery after being slipped through by Acar, before Lincoln came into the game.
They were awarded a spot-kick 15 minutes from time when Taron Hare committed a foul, allowing North to slot home.
Scott Floyd fired wide as Spalding looked for a leveller, but the Whites held firm to secure what was their first league success of the season.
Meanwhile, Josh Spencer, Charlie Hart, George Zuerner and Archie Moyses all miss Saturday’s clash with winless Market Drayton.
Tulips: Duggan, Hare, Spafford, Richards, Hugo, Zuerner (Hart 36 mins, Ramsden 78), Everington, Floyd, Brownhill, Acar, Jackson. Not used: Holliday, Frain, Smith.
Attendance: 213.
