The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The Tulips extended their unbeaten start to the season and moved into second position in the EvoStik Division One South following Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Loughborough Dynamo at the Sir Halley Stewart Field.
They are one of three teams all on 13 points with just goal difference keeping the Tulips off top spot.
Leaders Witton Albion and third placed Romulus shared the points in a 1-1 draw at Coles Lane.
Saturday’s game at the Halley Stewart was defence orientated with scoring opportunities for both teams down to a minimum as a result.
But the goals were worth waiting for – all three excellently executed with the Tulips forced to come from behind to secure all three points.
Dynamo, playing some good passing football, drew first blood with Louis Keenan getting on the end of a perfect cross from the impressive Jack Oldham to beat goalkeeper Michael Duggan with a firm far post header on 30 minutes.
Just a few minutes earlier Dynamo shot-stopper Liam Sharpe did superbly to beat away a solid shot from Andrew Wright.
The Tulips however, were back on level terms on 57 minutes with Bradley Wells notching his 10th goal of the season with a brilliantly executed lob over a bewildered Sharpe.
The ever active Wells, nominated man-of-the-match by sponsors The Allium Alliance, was in the mix to put Cenk Acar through for the deciding goal five minutes from time.
Play throughout was from end to end with visiting Dynamo playing some neat passing football but being thwarted by a home defence, reputedly one of the best in the league.
The visitors, though, were worthy of their 30 th minute lead.
owever, the Tulips had their moments in front of goal with Dynamo needing two goalline clearances to retain their advantage.
Looking for more pace from his strike force, Tulips boss Dave Frecklington introduced teenager Jonny Lockie ten minutes after the break and the change had an immediate effect with some penetrating runs down the right wing and only some key challenges by defenders denying him of the final crosses he was looking for.
But Lockie’s efforts did much to unlock the Dynamo rearguard and create much needed space which led to the equalising goal.
Jordan Lemon took possession just inside the home half and picked out Wells with a superbly judged pass.
The striker controlled the ball beautifully and jinked past his marker and beat the advancing Sharpe with a text book finish.
Superior fitness began to reap its rewards for the Tulips with Dynamo subjected to increasing pressure.
Chris Gray came to their rescue when Wells broke free on the edge of the area and then some lack of mobility allowed Nathan Whitehead to blast the ball inches wide following a corner.
Lockie, put on a run by skipper Nathan Stainfield’s intelligent through pass, saw his angled shot slide inches wide of the far post.
The Tulips got the goal they deserved for their second half dominance with just five minutes remaining.
The ever alert Wells was quick to react when the ball squirmed free of a defender and his neat flick on was icing on the cake for Acar who worked space just inside the area to glide the ball inside a post, giving keeper Sharpe no chance.
Tulips: Michael Duggan, Paul Walker, Jason Field (Sam Downie 44 mins), Matt Varley, Nathan Stainfield, Neal Spafford, Jordan Lemon, Nathan Whitehead, Bradley Wells, Cenk Acar, Andy Wright (Jonny Lockie 55 minns). Subs (not used) Chris Hamilton, Brad Barraclough, James Cullingworth.
Allium Alliance MoM – Bradley Wells.
Attendance: 92.
