Spalding United one game away from history after play-off semi-final success
Spalding United are one game away from playing in the sixth tier of English football for the first time in their history.
Jimmy Dean’s side moved to the brink of history on Wednesday night (April 29) with a 1-0 play-off semi-final victory over Halesowen.
Spalding, who were runners-up in the Southern League Premier Division Central, hosted ‘The Yeltz’ who finished 15 points behind them in fifth, and were deserved winners in front of a bumper crowd of 2,048.
A single goal from Yusifu Ceesay 15 minutes from time was enough to secure a play-off final date with Real Bedford on Bank Holiday Monday (May 4) after their 3-1 victory over Kettering Town on Wednesday night.
After a slow start, where the visitors dominated the ball in the early stages, Spalding grew into the first half and began to create the better chances.
Plenty of blocks were flying in from the Halesowen centre-halves as Ceesay, Bart Cybulski and Maniche Sani were all denied.
Spalding through they had taken the lead late in the half but in the midst of an almighty goalmouth scramble, neither Cybulski nor Sani could turn the ball over the line.
Spalding continued to carry the momentum into the second half but it took until the 75th minute for the breakthrough to come. At last, the extra quality of Jordan Roberts made the difference and he fired a great ball across the face of the goal that Ceesay was gleefully waiting to tap in.
There was a late scare for Spalding as former Posh man Tyrone Barnett rose highest from a ball into the box but ‘keeper Dan Wilks get down well to cover the effort.
In the regular season, Spalding drew 3-3 at home to Real Bedford in December and lost 2-1 away on the opening day in August.
- Yaxley were beaten 2-0 in Wednesday night’s Hinchingbrooke Cup final by Eynesbury Rovers. Dean Dummett and Lewis Lynn scored the goals in the match that took place at St Ives Town.