The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The three-way fight for the Pitching In Northern Premier League Midland Division title involving Spalding United could face some off-the-pitch drama.
Leaders Harborough Town, have been found guilty by the FA of having twice played a player in a league fixture who was meant to be suspended.
Rather than deduct the points Harborough received from the games they won 4-0 and 2-0 and award them to respective opponents, Gresley Rovers and Bedworth United, the governing body has instead decided to fine Harborough £100.
The player in question, Connor Kennedy, has also had another game added to his suspension.
Clubs though could appeal the punishment decision.
The results from the affected games could have ramifications at both ends of the table with Kennedy scoring in Harborough’s 4-0 win at home to relegation threatened Gresley on January 27 when he was meant to be suspended.
Spalding United CEO Leigh Porter declined to comment on the matter.
The Pitching In Northern Premier League could still award a points deduction though.
Tulips manager Elliot Sandy reiterated the Tulips can only control what they do on the pitch after they did just that at Quorn on Saturday, with two goals in the last nine minutes seeing them come from behind to win 2-1.
The first half was an even affair against a play-off chasing side.
The Tulips came closest mid-way through when Sam Warburton hit the post.
Quorn were ahead two minutes into the second half, taking advantage of a defensive cock up for Paddy Webb to score.
The Reds had further chances to double the lead, but the Tulips’ late show proved decisive.
With nine minutes remaining Warburton beat the offside trap and raced through on goal before squaring to Tyler Winters to score.
Spalding pushed forward looking for a winner and they got it in the 89th minute.
There were plenty of limbs flying even before Glen Walker poked home what could provide a vital goal come the end of the season.
“I think we got away with one,” said ‘proud’ manager Elliot Sandy. “The goal we gave away wasn’t great. It happens.
“We’ve thrown a lot forward, brought Sam Evans and Winters on and we had to go for it.
“To be honest I thought the lads looked out on their feet but to pull that result out of nothing is fantastic.
“We’ll play better, well we better play better, over the next three games, but it’s about three points at this stage of the season.
“The boys really dug deep and did well against what is a really good side.”
Spalding are back at the Sir Halley Stewart on Saturday with Sutton Coldfield the visitors in a 3pm kick off.
Harborough won their game in hand 3-0 at Lye on Tuesday to go two points clear at the top ahead of them playing Quorn.
Third placed Anstey Nomads also won on Tuesday and are two points behind the Tulips still with a game in hand.
“We need to stop looking at Harborough, Anstey and those teams around us and concentrate on ourselves,” Sandy said. “We’ve got to look to put three wins in a row because there’s going to be twists and turns.
“They’re all like cup finals at the moment.
“The fans have been brilliant for us and really helped us against Quorn.
“That’s what we need, positivity. They’ve seen the players give absolutely everything for the club and the badge so stick with us.”
Tulips: Breedon, Clifton, Warburton, Walker, Stainfield, Dawes, Hilliard, Barker, O’Sullivan, Graham, Adegoke. Subs: Draper, Sherif, Curtis, Bennett, Winters.
Attendance: 251.
