Spalding United

ANOTHER clean sheet but the Tulips were disappointed not to have gained all three points after being denied a blatent second half penalty at Leading Drove on Saturday.
Tom James, a 62nd minute replacement for Troy Farden, was brought down in full flight by Ricky Hailstone as he entered the 18 yard area but the referee ignored the many appeals. Only minutes later the same pair were in a tangle again, but this time just outside the area and on this occasion awarded the Tulips a free kick which unfortunately failed to bare fruit.
But generally the game was something of a damp squib with little to warm spectators on a cold and breezy afternoon.
Yaxley, battling for points to preserve their Premier Division status, were the quicker out of the starting blocks and were twice denied by the in-form Nick Conroy who saved well from former Tulip Peter Smith and the ever dangerous Lewis Stone.
The Tulips best effort came mid-way through the opening half with home ‘keeper Lea Jordan just getting a fingertip to Ryan O’Loughlin’s 20-yard free kick to turn the ball over the bar. Ten minutes later a Greg Smith effort was blocked on the line by Jordan and Simon Mowbray’s follow-up attempt was deflected away for a corner.
The Tulips back line of Josh Ford, Simon Ashton, Glen Fuff and Callum Earls dealt well with Yaxley’s advances while Jake Thompson and Matt Brady were like terriers in the midfield.
Ashton was near to breaking the deadlock on 48 minutes with a firm header from O’Loughlin’s corner which was cleared from the line.
The Tulips got stronger as the game progressed but were unable to get the breakthrough despite good efforts by Mowbray and a late far post header by Smith which found the side netting.
Team: Conroy, Ford, Earls, Thompson, Ashton, Fuff, Farden (James 62 mins), Brady, Smith, Mowbray, O’Loughlin (Harris 76 mins). Subs (not used) Lyon, Allen, Hussey.
The Tulips play their first home game since December 10 (following four away) when they entertain Thrapston Town. This is followed by away games at King’s Lynn (21st) and Kempston Rovers (28th).
February fixtures are: 4th St Ives Town (Home), 11th Holbeach (away), 18th Newport Pagnell (home) and 25th S and L Corby (away)