Spalding secure historic promotion with dramatic play-off final victory over Real Bedford

Spalding were trailing going into extra time at the end of the game but managed to rescue themselves from the spot and turn around the tie in extra-time to secure step two football for the first time ever. The match finished 4-2 with the majority of the sell-out crowd at the Sir Halley Stewart Field celebrating promotion thanks to goals from Yusifu Ceesay, Jack Roberts, Bartosz Cybulski and Ben Fowkes.

After pressure from both sides, it took until the 36th minute for the deadlock to be broken and it came from the head of Ceesay as he connected with Roberts’ corner.

Spalding held the lead at the break but were pegged back in stunning fashion fashion seven minutes after the restart when Ben Stevens blasted a long range effort right into the top corner.

Spalding pressed hard for the winner but were stung against the run of play in the 82nd minute when Josh Setchell was left free in the box. He shot towards goal and a diving Liam Moore could only deflect the ball into the net rather than away.

With Spalding chasing the game, they were immediately boosted by ten added minutes being shown on the fourth official’s board and within a further 60 seconds the referee was pointing to the spot with Ceesay brought down by a rash slide tackle.

Roberts stepped up and buried the kick right into the corner, sending the keeper the wrong way. With just seconds left on the clock, Roberts almost won the game for Spalding but his 25-yard free-kick clattered back off the top of the crossbar.

No matter, Spalding raced out of the blocks in extra-time and Cybluski’s turn and shot inside the six-yard box grabbed the lead back just three minutes after the resumption. They had Tosin Olapide to thank for a brilliant saving header to deny Conor Tee and keep the lead going into the final 15 minutes.

Spalding then soaked up pressure for the final half of extra time before sparking a quick counter with 118 minutes on the clock. Substitute Ben Fowkes kept his cool to slot home and spark wild scenes of celebration for Jimmy Dean’s men.

Spalding: Wilks, Sembie-Ferris, Olapade, Moore, Johnson, Thompson (sub McCammon), Roberts (sub Bendle), Pugh, Cybulski, Sani (sub Fowkes), Ceesay

Not used: Akanbi, White.