UniBond League Division One
Sir Halley Stewart Field, Spalding, Lincolnshire
Tuesday, 8th March 2005, 7.45pm
Lincolnshire Poachers
In folk song circles they sing about the Lincolnshire Poacher and if they had been at Sir Halley Stewart Field for this game they would have seen one in action as Spalding poached all three points in a match totally dominated by the visitors.
One shot on target by Spalding resulted in a goal and even that was a mis-hit volley that could have gone anywhere but instead ended up in the back of the net.
The Tulips had sprung a surprise win at table toppers North Ferriby at the weekend and started the brighter in this game.
A long punt up field on 3 minutes by home keeper Ian Pledger found Adam Kerley but he put his shot well over the bar. Minutes later Liam Nimmo caught Gary White knapping and stole the ball off him but his finish was poor putting the ball straight to Gresley keeper Dale Belford.
Gresley began to take control and on 18 minutes Pledger did well to prevent Jamie Barrett's header from crossing the line after some good work from Aaron O'Connor and Emeka Ejiofor.
Five minutes later Gary White's long ball was only partially cleared giving O'Connor a half chance. The striker's shot lacked any power and was easily dealt with by Pledger.
Spalding took an undeserved lead on 37 minutes when Ian Dunn made headway down the left flank and his cross found Nimmo who mis-hit his shot but it ended up in the net.
Gresley went looking for an equaliser in the second period their play fully deserved.
Gary Browne did well to pick out Niall Hudson down the right and Nathan Tate got his head to a good cross but the ball went over the bar.
On 58 minutes a Gary White corner found Paul Wardle whose close range header was blocked on the line and minutes later Mickey Lyon's shot was just too high.
Spalding were looking shaky at the back and Andy Stanhope almost handed Gresley the leveler when his header landed just over his own bar and on to the netting.
Gresley pushed Wardle forward as they searched for their reward and the gamble almost paid off. On 84 minutes the defender's header had to be bundled away for a corner.
It was the turn of Spalding player manager Steve Walsh to almost give away their lead but a post denied his blushes after connecting with Gary White's corner.
Substitute Chris White had the last say after connecting with a Gary White long throw in but his glancing header ended up in the side netting.
Manager's View
"I'm bitterly disappointed with this result as we definately deserved to get something from the game.
"The last 20 minutes were comical. We had 10 men camped in their half but they had 11 behind the ball and we just couldn't force a breakthough.
"Credit to Spalding they defended very well and scored with their only real attack of the game. It was a sloppy goal to concede. We switched off for a minute and got punished.
"I can't fault our players. It would have been nice to have kept things going with a win but our effort, commitment and desire was magnificent.We have got to take the positives out of that performance."
