TULIPS: Derby defeat for toothless Spalding
SPALDING UTD 0 BRIGG TOWN 2 (Clarke 13 & 74)
Thursday, 9pm - TOOTHLESS Spalding slumped to a hugely uninspiring derby defeat on Tuesday night.
For the second time in four days the tame Tulips failed to register a meaningful attempt on target, leaving the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field faithful largely unimpressed.
Lincolnshire rivals Brigg had no such problems, as well-taken goals from Robbie Clarke in either half bagged them a richly-deserved victory.
Player/boss Richard Scott said: "I thought the lads showed a massive improvement on recent performances.
"With a bit more composure and know-how I think we would have won the game."
"I understand that it's very frustrating to keep losing football matches but they keep coming back to try to put things right.
"We keep battling hard and I can't fault their effort and commitment."
Scott had vowed to send his side out in an attacking mood - but it was Brigg who made all the early running.
Striker Steve Owens should have opened the scoring inside 90 seconds, but he fluffed his lines after latching onto a hopeful punt over the top.
Luke Forbes blasted high and wide at the other end, before Brigg seized control of the game with a slick opener.
Left sider Dan Barrett - the stand-out player in the first half - slipped a lovely first-time ball through for pacey midfielder Clarke, who finished superbly with the outside of his foot.
A speculative effort from David de Oliveira trickled wide as Spalding looked to respond, but they were fortunate not to fall two behind after some calamitous defending.
Barrett pinched possession after keeper Max Flintoft and full-back George Cox left the ball to each other, but his shot from a tight angle rolled inches wide of the gaping goal.
Portuguese attacker de Oliveira once again looked the only likely Spalding scorer on the night, but he fired their best chance of the half over just before the break.
It was a similar story after the interval, with Brigg again a lick of paint away from sealing the points. Owens got in behind and beat Flintoft to the ball, but his angled drive crept past the wrong side of the post.
With Spalding showing no signs of restoring parity, Brigg then tried their best to throw them a lifeline.
A Forbes free-kick was flicked on by defender Scott Hellewell - and with keeper Andy Pettinger beaten, he was lucky to see the ball fly past the near post for a corner.
Spalding's only real chance of the evening game from a similar avenue, as centre back Victor Legendre scuffed a Forbes set-piece high and wide from just six yards out.
But a draw would have been incredibly harsh on Brigg, who played all the football.
Their decisive goal game from an aimless hoof forward though, as Clarke brought a route-one ball down from the heavens before slamming an unstoppable effort into the roof of the net.
Scott's charges remain eight points clear of relegation rivals Willenhall Town, but have now played two matches more.
It's now 28 defeats in 35 league games for Spalding this season, with a mammoth 96 goals shipped in the process.
How any side with that record has a chance of avoiding relegation is a mystery that would stump even Sherlock Holmes.
Tulips: Flintoft, Cox, Wetton, P Smith (Chagger 58), Balkwill, Legendre, Forbes, Toyne, de Oliveira, Webb (Hackett 89), Fitzgerald (Oliver 69). Not used: Field, Schulberg.
Brigg: Pettinger, Spafford (Cochrane 86), L Smith, Clarke, Hellewell, Jacklin, Spall (Parker 89), Lamb, Owens, Maxwell, Barrett (Chappell 50). Not used: A Smith.
MATTY Evans, Daene Bodie and Michael Emery all return to the squad for Saturday's trip to Quorn (3pm).
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Weather for Spalding
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
