Rayment relieved as Spalding United raise their game when it matters most

Spalding United cashed in on a dream start on Saturday as they extend their unbeaten start to the new Evo-Stik League First Division South season to three games with a 2-1 win over Tividale.

After dominanting the early stages at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field, Neal Spafford’s second-minute header gave the Tulips the earliest of leads.

Pat Rayment’s side took their foot off the gas and allowed spirited Tividale to level through Ashley Jackson (47), but Josh Moreman’s 77th-minute winner made sure of a deserved three points for the hosts.

Chuffed boss Rayment said: “I’m very happy with the performance, we looked very comfortable if I’m honest.

“We’ve done superbly to put an indifferent pre-season behind us. There’s more to come for sure, but I was worried that we’d start poorly this year.

“However, the lads are really stepping up to the plate and we’re having a great start to the season.

“The most pleasing thing for me is that we looked very solid in defence. Apart from when we switched off for their goal, we didn’t look like conceding.”

The Tulips won three successive corners to start the game – and from the third centre half Spafford was on the end of Dan Lawlor’s cross to power a six-yard header past a helpless Tom Turner.

Lawlor himself was near to extending the lead shortly afterwards but was denied by the outstretched legs of Turner.

HEADS WE WIN! Neal Spafford rises to nod home Spalding’s opener. Photo by MARK GOODALE

Then, from yet another corner, the excellent Jordan Nuttell could only watch as his firm header zipped inches over the bar.

The pressure continued as an excellent cross-field ball by Spafford found Moreman free on the left. The pacey winger made tracks for goal, only to be denied by a near-post save by the busy Turner.

Tividale, however, dug in deep and gradually worked their way into the game, although never really pressured the home goal until three minutes before the interval when they won a corner which was comfortably cleared by Spafford.

However, they were back on level terms immediately after the break with Jackson connected with Jason Chilton’s cross from the left touchline and dispatched the ball like a rocket into the net.

It was a wake-up call for the Tulips and they were near to regaining the advantage shortly afterwards when keeper Turner saved Michael Frew’s shot with his legs.

The strong wind blowing straight down the pitch made ball control difficult, although the ball spent more time in the air than on the ground with Tividale using long ball tactics to cut out the midfield, where the Tulips had dominated in the opening half.

The home defence, however, with skipper Adam Jackson leading by example and Spafford, Mitch Griffiths and Paul Walker, the match sponsor’s choice for man of the match, were largely in control.

Of the two teams the Tulips always looked the more likely to add to their score and the 77th minute saw Moreman direct a neat ball from Nuttell into the net to secure the extra points.

Spalding visit Sheffield FC on Tuesday night (7.45pm), with new signing Charley Sanders, from Wisbech Town, expected to be in the squad.

Tulips: Duggan, Griffiths, Jackson, Walker, Spafford, Lawlor, Millson (Rawdon 87), Nuttell, Frew, Waumsley (Zuerner 64), Moreman (Barlow 90).

SOS (Specialist on Site Services) MOTM: Paul Walker.

Attendance: 149.