Spalding United strike late to win the battle of the Southern Premier Division Central titans, FC Peterborough hit FC Parson Drove for six

The big game between the top two at the Sir Halley Stewart Field attracted a bumper gate of 1,170 and most went home happy as Spalding secured a 3-1 win.

A goal from Curtis Thompson gave Spalding the lead before former Tulips striker Riley O’Sullivan equalised for the visitors 15 minutes later.

But it was the home side who finished the stronger as Maniche Sani fired them in front 15 minutes from time before big Bart Cybulski wrapped up the win in the dying moments.

It’s left Spalding nine points clear of Harborough who have four games in hand, the first of which is at home to rock-bottom Stamford AFC on Tuesday (January 13). Stamford’s scheduled fixture at home to St Ives Town today was postponed.

Spalding gave a debut to Peterborough Sports loanee centre-back Ryan Fryatt. Their Posh loanee Noah Freeman has returned to London Road.

Thompson opened the scoring on 16 minutes after meeting a half-cleared corner with a crisp shot from the edge of the penalty area. After Cybulski had come close to making it 2-0, O’Sullivan levelled on the half hour with a shot into the top corner.

Posh loanee David Kamara’s chance to put Harborough in front was ruined by a fine Thompson block, before home ‘keeper Dan Wilks made a brave stop to thwart former Sports man Elliot Putman.

Spalding regained the lead on 75 minutes after Sani accepted a pass from Dion Sembie-Ferris and fired into the bottom corner and Cybulski turned home from close range to extend his side’s unbeaten run to 11 games and to inflict just a second defeat of the season on Harborough.

Elsewhere there were many postponements, but FC Peterborough hit local rivals FC Parson Drove for six at the Millfield Autoparts Stadium in Division One North of the Thurlow Nunn League.

Vitor Vaz, David Yisah, Ayman Trabelsi, Michael Goncalves, Soltan Musa and Toby Marumahoko scored for the city side who are fourth.

Whittlesey Athletic were held to a 1-1 home draw by AFC Sudbury Reserves in the same division while Wisbech Town also drew 1-1 with Heanor in the United Counties Premier Division North after conceding a late leveller. Blackstones were beaten 2-1 at third-placed Newark Town after taking a lead into the break thanks to a Callum Davies goal.

Peterborough Sports were without a National League North fixture and a win for Oxford City today means the city side have slipped back into the bottom four.

RESULTS

Southern Premier Division Central: Spalding United 3 (Thompson, Sani, Cybulski), Harborough Town 1; POSTPONED: Stamford AFC v St Ives Town.

Northern Premier Midlands Division: POSTPONED: Bourne Town v Sutton Coldfield Town.

United Counties Premier Division North: Newark Town 2, Blackstones 1 (Davies); Wisbech Town 1 (Lennon), Heanor Town 1; POSTPONED: Deeping Rangers v Hucknall Town;

United Counties Premier Division South: POSTPONED: Aylestone Park v Yaxley; March Town v Nuneaton.

Thurlow Nunn Division One North: FC Peterborough 6 (Vaz 2, Musa, Yisah, Trabelsi, Marumahoko), FC Parson Drove 2; Whittlesey Athletic 1, AFC Sudbury Res 1. POSTPONED: Holbeach Utd v Haverhill Borough.