New trio are all on target as Spalding United make strong start to the season

Spalding United 3 Daventry Town 0

Brett Whaley has urged his Spalding United side to be more clinical in front of goal – despite seeing them cruise to a 3-0 win over Daventry Town in their Pitching In NPL Midlands Division opener on Saturday.

After a goalless first period at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field, second-half strikes from new signings Jordan O’Brien (pen 51), Bradley Rolt (58) and Elliott Sandy (62) gave the Tulips a well-deserved three points.

The kind of fixture Spalding dropped points regularly in last season, Whaley was pleased to get that first win on the board.

But he admitted that he’d like to see their dominance translated into more goals moving forward.

“It sounds strange to be complaining after a 3-0 win,” said Whaley, who wants his side to push for promotion this season. “But I was very disappointed at half time.

“We had a lot of the ball and created plenty of chances, but we just weren’t clinical enough.

“It has been a bit of a theme over the past few games, if you include the Biggleswade friendly.

“The second half was obviously much better and perhaps I can put things down to a lack of sharpness.

“But our end product has to improve, missing too many chances will end up costing us against a better side.

“That being said, I am pleased with the amount of chances we are creating.

“It’d be much worse for us if I was here saying we’re not creating enough.

“I also thought we looked good on the ball and controlled the game well, which is something we struggled with last season.

“If you’re targeting promotion, it’s important to get that first win on the board as soon as possible.

“We didn’t want to be chasing points after having a bad start, so it’s pleasing that we’ve ticked that off.

So, while we’ve got to do better moving forward, you can’t be too disappointed with a 3-0 win on the opening day.”

Tulips: Duggan, Hart, Marshall, Clifton (Floyd 78), Stainfield, Cartwright, Jones, Broccoli, Sandy (Hilliard 80), O’Brien (Draper 72), Rolt. Not used: George, Edge.

Attendance: 168.