Spalding United share the spoils after a six-goal shootout, Dadzie dazzles in FC Peterborough win, Stones are sinking fast
Spalding United’s title hopes took a minor knock after a fantastic game of football at home to fellow Southern Premier Division Central promotion contenders Real Bedford at the Sir Halley Stewart Field.
It finished 3-3 in a game of fluctuating fortunes with the visitors also hitting the woodwork three times. There were nine cautions and a late red card for Spalding centre-back Connor Johnson.
‘The Tulips’ trailed 1-0, led 2-1 after goals for Bart Cybulski and Alfie Bendle, then fell 3-2 down before Cybulski rescued a point in a Saturday showdown.
"It was a crazy game of football between two good sides who both had a real go at it,” Spalding boss Jimmy Dean told Lincs Online. “We showed our quality and, when we got things correct, the game favoured us but, when we weren't switched on to what we needed to do, they got control and the game favoured them.”
The draw kept Spalding top of the table, but second-placed Harborough – 3-1 winners at Needham Market today after losing for the first time this season last time out – are just three points adrift with three games in hand.
Spalding are next in action at home to struggling neighbours Stamford AFC on Saturday December 27. Stamford’s scheduled game at Alvechurch today was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. Next-to-bottom Stamford are 11 points from safety.
Bourne Town thought they had snatched a decent Northern Premier MIdlands Division point at Coleshill when Sam Bayly made it 1-1 with seven minutes to go, but the home side found an injury time winner. Bourne are now back in the relegation zone.
Blackstones’ alarming slide down the United Counties Premier Division North continued after a 4-0 home defeat to Wisbech Town. Sam Bennett bagged a hat-trick for Wisbech against a team who are now third bottom after picking up just one point in their last seven matches.
Will Barnes rescued a point for Deeping Rangers at home to Gresley with a 25-yard screamer into the top corner.
March Town moved level on points with leaders Nuneaton in the Premier Division South after a 4-1 success at home to Daventry. The goals were scored by Matthew Foy, Florian Tsaguim, Liam Hook and Rueben Marshall. Yaxley went down 3-0 at home to Coventry United.
FC Peterborough moved up a place to fourth in Division One North of the Thurlow Nunn League. Derrick Dadzie scored two first-half goals and Ayman Trabelsi also netted in a 3-1 win over Needham Market Reserves at the Millfield Autoparts Stadium.
FC Peterborough are at local rivals Whittlesey Athletic next Saturday (December 27). Whittlesey went down 3-2 at Halesworth Town today. Jack Kent scored both their goals.
Peterborough Sports were heavily beaten at home by Scarborough Athletic in their National League North fixture.
Results
National League North: Peterborough Sports 0, Scarborough Athletic 4.
Southern Premier Division Central: POSTPONED Alvechurch v Stamford AFC; Spalding Utd 3 (Cybulski 2, Bendle), Real Bedford 3.
Northern Premier Midlands Division: Coleshill Town 2, Bourne Town 1 (Bayly).
United Counties Premier Division North: Blackstones 0, Wisbech Town 4 (Bennett 3, Fridd); Deeping Rangers 1 (Barnes), Gresley Rovers 1.
United Counties Premier Division South: March Town 4 (Tsaguim, Foy, Hook, Marshall), Daventry 1; Yaxley 0, Coventry Utd 3.
Thurlow Nunn Division One North: AFC Sudbury Res 3, FC Parson Drove 5; FC Peterborough 3 (Dadzie 2, Trabelsi), Needham Market Res 1; Halesworth Town 3, Whittlesey Athletic 2 (Kent 2); Holbeach Utd 2 (Wright 2), Long Melford 2.