Spot-on Mettam earns Spalding United a draw on Easton’s bow as boss

Ossett United 1
Spalding United 1

By Ray Tucker

Draw specialists Spalding United picked up another Evo-Stik NPL East Division point on Saturday as they held high-flying hosts Ossett United 1-1.

The Tulips – under the charge of new permanent boss Matt Easton –were 1-0 down at half time at the Ingfield Stadium after an Adam Priestley effort.

But Leon Mettam’s spot-kick early in the second half ensured that Spalding bagged a sixth draw from seven league matches.

On Saturday they turned in a tenacious display, solid in defence and always showing a willingness to attack against a well-drilled home team who demonstrated clearly that they deserved their top-of-the-table placing ahead of kick off.

The Tulips, though spending huge chunks of the game protecting Michael Duggan’s goal, were, man for man, superb all over the pitch and it would be unfair to select one for the man-of-the-match honours.

The opening passages of the game were evenly contested, with Spalding having the first real shot at goal when Neal Spafford’s well-struck effort from just outside the home area rose just over the home crossbar.

But it was the home side who took the lead with a rather fortuitous goal on 18 minutes.

The ball was played low into the Tulips’ goal area and somehow found its way through a gaggle of legs before reaching leading scorer Priestley, who toe-ended it just inside the far post.

Shortly afterwards they were denied by a super reflex save by Duggan following a free kick situation.

The Tulips, however, were back on level terms four minutes into the second half.

Goalkeeper Brett Souter failed to hang onto the ball and the alert Mettam homed in – only to be upended by Priestley to concede a penalty which the Tulips’ frontman dispatched confidently.

The home team came back strongly with a period of intense pressure, though.

Jack Fixter’s crucial challenge denied Marko Basic while Corey Gregory saw his lofted shot dip just over Duggan’s bar.

Just after the hour mark Duggan punched the ball solidly from a Gregory corner and the follow-up shot rattled a post.

Still, the Tulips showed eagerness to get forward themselves.

Teenage full-back James Hugo, always willing to make runs down the left flank, brought keeper Souter back into the action to deal with his shot from just outside the home area.

In the end neither side could fine a winner, leaving Spalding winless and costing Ossett top spot in the table.

The Tulips are back in action at Stamford on Tuesday night (7.45pm).

Tulips: Duggan, Fixter, Hugo, Spafford, Miller, Zuerner (Brooks 83), Floyd (King 73), Davison, White (Humble 90), Mettam, Lockie.

Attendance: 455