One Point Gained Or Two Points Lost? Only Time Will Tell

The concession of another agonisingly late equaliser denied the Tulips a win on the road in Yorkshire on Saturday afternoon...

Match Report by Tulips' Press Officer, Mr Ray Tucker

A super strike by Tulips' skipper Leon Mettam secured a precious point for the Tulips’ in their bid to keep just outside the relegation positions inthe Northern Premier League Evo-Stik East Division.

In a tense encounter, with points at a premium for both teams, Mettam broke the deadlock on 61 minutes, collecting the ball in space following a flowing right-side movement, and converting with a precision shot into a top angle of the home goal.

Heartbreakingly, the Tulips held on to their advantage until the sixth of TEN minutes of added-time at the end of the contest when Ryan Blott levelled the scores with a low-driven free-kick from fully 25 yards. The agony of missing out once again to a late goal was on the faces of players and the travelling support, but on reflection a draw was a fair result considering The Pikes had failed to convert a 10th minute penalty – Blotts’ effort from 12 yards crashing against the woodwork, and shortly afterwards another goal area 'gift' having been squandered.

The Tulips worked hard throughout on a beautifully manicured but sloping (four feet from side to side) pitch, but scoring opportunities were few & far between. Their best effort came midway through the opening half with Jenk Acar ending a typically speedy, jinking run with a fine shot, only to see ‘keeper Harry Foulkes deny him with a superb fingertip save in full flight.

In the opening minutes of the second period Michael Duggan performed heroics to turn Danny Earl’s lobbed shot over a top angle of the goal, and the Tulips began to command a greater share of the action. Attacking movements, prompted by the midfield artistry of Kegan Everington, Taron Hare and Jack Brownell, were becoming more frequent and Mettam’s 61st minute strike was a direct result.

Play from then on switched from end to end with solid defensive work from both teams. The Tulips worked hard to stem the threat of The Pikes and Duggan kept the slender advantage intact as the minutes ticked away with another crucial save.

But deep into added-time The Pikes claimed a share of the points with Blott’s free kick from way out finding its way into the net without getting a touch from anyone.

Team: Michael Duggan, Taron Hare, Liam Marshall, Jack Brownell, Jack Fixter, George Zuerner, Archie Moyses, Kegan Everington, Leon Mettam (Charlie Hart, 80 mins), Jenk Acar (Luke White, 68 mins), James Hugo (Scott Floyd, 55 mins). Sub (not used): Alex Smith

Tulips' Man-of-the-Match: Michael Duggan

Att: 142

REMAINING HOME FIXTURES

Saturday 13th April 2019
NPL Evo-Stik East Division
Spalding United v Loughborough Dynamo
KO: 3.00pm

Easter Monday 22nd April 2019 - Our final home match of 2018/19!
NPL Evo-Stik East Division
Spalding United v Brighouse Town
KO: 3.00pm

Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field
Winfrey Avenue
Spalding
Lincolnshire
PE11 1UL

2018/19 Admission:
Adults: £8.00
Concessions/Students: £5.00
Youths (12-16): £2.00
Accompanied U12s: FREE!