Sweet 16 after a hard-fought win

Spalding United 2
Sporting Khalsa 0

Goals in each half from Dylan Edge and Sam Cartwright earned Spalding United a 2-0 win over Sporting Khalsa on Saturday – making it an impressive 16 games unbeaten in the Pitching In NPL Midlands Division so far this season.

Striker Edge opened the scoring after just four minutes at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field, before centre-back Cartwright confirmed the points for the in-form Tulips with number two 20 minutes from time.
It’s now ten wins and six draws from their 16 league games, leaving Brett Whaley’s side third in the table and now level on points with second-placed Halesowen Town, who were beaten 2-1 at table-topping Stamford on Saturday.
Saturday’s showdown started as something of a scrappy affair, but it was Spalding who found a moment of quality within an otherwise sloppy first 20 minutes.
It was Edge who swept the ball into the net on four minutes, following fine build up play from midfielder Stefan Broccoli and right back Aaron Hart.
The visitors had a great chance to level matters on 37 minutes, but sent a clear header from a corner flying over the bar – sparing the blushes of the home defence.
Injuries to stalwart duo Nathan Stainfield and Michael Duggan either side were shrugged off by both, before Khalsa went close to levelling the scores again.
From another set-play on the hour, a direct free-kick whistled just past Duggan’s upright.
The visitors were made to rue missing the target as, nine minutes later, Spalding wrapped up the win.
A delightful ball from James Clifton to the back post picked out Cartwright – who expertly looped the ball over the keeper for 2-0.
Hosts Spalding then fashioned another great chance to make it three, but Danny Draper somehow headed over the bar from close in following a brilliant Broccoli delivery.
In the end it mattered little, as the Tulips’ impressive knack of picking up positive results continued.
Meanwhile, midfielder Lewis Hilliard made his debut for Spalding as a second-half substitute having joined from higher-graded Peterborough Sports last week.
Hilliard, who has made ten appearances for Jimmy Dean’s side at step two of the non-league ladder, also lists Boston United among his former clubs.
He played a big part in the second goal against Khalsa, winning the ball back before offloading for Clifton to deliver for scorer Cartwright.
Whaley said: “I’m delighted to bring Lewis to the club, he’s an excellent footballer who’s experience of higher level football and winning things at those levels will help us kick on from a positive start to the season.”
On the move, Hilliard added: “I can’t wait to get started and help the club push on, I’ve played with or against a lot of the lads so it will be great to join them again.”
Next up for the Tulips is a trip to promoted Gresley Rovers, who are circulating just above the drop zone having come up from the UCL Premier Division North last season.
Gresley have won just four games so far this season, but three of them have come at home – so Whaley’s side won’t be taking anything for granted as they bid to keep the league’s only unbeaten record going at the Moat Ground on Saturday (3pm).
After that, the Tulips are back on the road as they start their December fixtures at mid-table Sutton Coldfield Town next Saturday.
Tulips: Duggan, Hart, Bucciero, Barker, Stainfield, Cartwright, Clifton, Broccoli (O’Brien 87), Sandy (Draper 69), Edge, Moreman (Hilliard 58). Not used: Palmer, Rolt.
p Attendance: 213.