Spalding United v Leiston FC / 22.10.24

Tulip supporters leaving the ground Tuesday night wondering how we really didn't get anything from the game, six players missing from either injury or suspension had Jimmy shuffling his pack again, two more additions to the squad made the starting 11, Kieron Freeman and Khanya Leshabela.

A mistake by Tony Breeden could have cost us after 20 min but the ball rolled wide, the Tulips soon woke up and came close to scoring after dominating. A Lamine cross from the right found Connor Tomlinson who was denied by a fine save, Bart then headed wide from a Dawes cross, Hilliard fired over the bar before Bart had his next effort saved from point blank range. A minute later, the big front man had the ball in the net but was ruled out for handball...

Defensive errors however raised there head again this time Kieron Dawes uncertainty led to the opening goal for Leiston. Our luck with referee decisions recently has gone against us and on the stroke of half time official Ruddock waved away a penalty shout when Bart seemed clearly pulled back.

Leiston increased there lead on 51 min, Dawes couldn't stop a cross from the left which was despatched with some ease at the far post. If nothing else, Jimmy has installed some fighting spirt and our lads continued to look for a way back in. A corner on 72 minutes found Bart who spun and this time his shot beat the impressive visitors keeper. Tulips fans now in good voice looked for a share of the spoils with Tyler, Joseph and Sani now on the home side looked for the equaliser, the best chance came and went when Sani from six yards out lifted his shot over the bar the defeat keeps us one point of the bottom 4 whereas 3 points would have put us in 11 place, its fine margins in football as we all know.