DOUBT: Paul Walker. Photo by JAKE WHITELEY

Rawlinson: Spalding United’s poor away form has to turn soon

Spalding United have a great chance to improve upon their miserable away record when they travel to Evo-Stik NPL First Division South basement side Sheffield FC on Saturday (3pm).

The Tulips haven’t picked up as much as a point away from home since last October, but boss Chris Rawlinson feels that “the law of averages” suggests that the run has to end soon.

The Tulips chief is boosted by the return of captain and leading scorer Gary King for the trip to The BT Local Stadium, but knows not to underestimate the world’s oldest football club.

However, the Sheffield pitch was under deep snow as recently as Thursday and the match is in obvious danger of postponement.

“It’s one of those games we can look at and feel we’ve got a chance to end our away run,” admitted Rawlinson. “The law of averages would suggest that we’ll have to pick something up soon.

“To be honest, I don’t think that Sheffield deserve to be bottom – they’re better than that.

“But that’s this league for you, it’s tough. They’ve draw a few too many games.

“We’ll certainly not underestimate them and I’d take a draw if you offered it to me now.

“We’ll go there and look to win, but we need to break this run of losing away from home.”

The Tulips should have Conor Marshall back from injury, but striker James Tricks has been released.

Influential right back Paul Walker is suffering from sciatica and is also a doubt after being forced off in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Market Drayton.

See www.spaldingvoice.co.uk for updates on the status of the fixture.

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