The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Nine points, seven goals and none conceded, it’s been a perfect Christmas for Spalding United.
The second placed Tulips are keeping the pressure on Pitching In Northern Premier League Midlands Division leaders Harborough Town.
And it’s everyone in the club who’s chipping in as witnessed on New Year’s Day.
A host of volunteers came to the Sir Halley Stewart to drain the water and ensure the game with Cambridge City went ahead.
And they were rewarded with one of the best performances from their team who dominated from start to finish in front of over 500 fans.
Sam Warburton’s curler from the edge of the area gave the Tulips a 22nd minute lead before Nathan Stainfield headed home from a corner on the stroke of half time.
Riley O’Sullivan then finished off a fine move to seal the win for Spalding in the second half.
“You get some surprise results around Christmas, but we’ve been very professional,” said manager Elliot Sandy. “Against Cambridge we dominated from the first minute.
“We looked dangerous in every attack, were solid in defence and we’re playing some football at the minute that was a joy to watch.
“Everyone’s happy but we want more.”
The Boxing Day victory over Hinckley Leicester Road was a particularly hard fought one against a side challenging in the top six.
Spalding started well with Warburton, O’Sullivan and Kyle Barker all going close.
It was Warburton who gave them the lead, making the deciding connection amid a goal-mouth scramble.
That proved to be decisive with Tony Breedon making some fantastic saves in the second half.
“Everyone put in a real shift after Christmas.
“We came out of the blocks and dominated the ball.
“The second half, fair play to Hinckley, they’re a good side and put us under pressure without really creating anything, because that’s how good our shape was.
“It was a really professional performance.”
The Saturday before Christmas Spalding made light work of Walsall Wood.
They’d already had a goal disallowed by the time Lewis Hilliard’s fine free kick gave the home side a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute.
The Tulips continued to create chances and made it 2-0 just before the break.
Again it was a Hilliard free kick which caused problems and though Walsall defended it originally, the ball fell to Jordan Graham to score.
James Clifton rounded off the scoring ten minutes from time.
Tulips v Cambridge City: Breedon, Warburton, Walker, Stainfield Cartwright, Westwood, Winters, Hilliard, Barker, O’Sullivan, Draper. Subs: Freeman, Clifton, Snedden, Graham, Curtis.
Attendance: 505
Tulips v Hinckley Leicester Road: Breedon, Draper, Warburton, Walker, Cartwright, Westwood, Freeman, Hilliard, Barker, O’Sullivan, Clifton. Subs: Stainfield, Snedden, Graham, Sweeney, Curtis.
Attendance: 166
Tulips v Walsall Wood: Breedon, Draper, Warburton, Walker, Stainfield, Freeman, Hilliard, Barker, O’Sullivan, Graham, Curtis. Subs: Cartwright, Westwood, Snedden, Clifton, Sweeney.
Attendance: 348
