A low-key start to the game on Non League Day as both sides tentatively tested each other in the opening 15 minutes, with the first meaningful effort falling to the visitors with Joel Carta receiving the ball just inside the box, steading himself and firing a goalbound shot arrowing towards the top corner but Michael Duggan in the Spalding goal was equal to the shot and tipped the ball over the bar. Just past the half way mark in the first half and Harborough Town defender Paul Malone gathers the ball in the centre circle, calmly slips past the advancing Tulips’ midfielder before finding Rhys Hoenes in the Spalding box who twists and turns and is unceremoniously brought down. Bees Captain Ben Williams sent Duggan the wrong way from the resulting spot kick. With the visitors in control it was against the run of play when deep into first half added time Spalding slip the ball through the Harborough Town back line and Archie Jones fired past the advancing Elliott Taylor.
The second half turned in Spalding’s favour as they applied the pressure from the start resulting in a 61st minute corner that James Clifton emphatically headed past Taylor. The game slowed despite Harborough’s efforts and a quick throw behind the visitors defence late on found substitute Harrison Poulter and with Taylor stuck in no mans land, and opting to retreat, Poulter barrelled towards him and slotted past Taylor’s outstretched hand from just inside the box.
With the game won Spalding slowed the game to further solidify their playoff place.
Spalding United (1) 3
Jones (45)
Clifton (61)
Poulter (84)
Harborough Town (1) 1
Williams (26 pen)
MOTM: Dylan Hill (Harborough Town)
Rating: 2 out of 5
