SPALDING UNITED | UP AND RUNNING

Dramatic first win of the season

Spalding United secured their first victory of the season in dramatic fashion at the weekend.

Finding themselves two goals behind going into first half stoppage time at Bromsgrove Sporting, Josh McCammon was able to pull a goal back before the break and then Bart Cybulski levelled matters with just over ten minutes remaining.

After a red card for Connor Johnson just five minutes later, you would be forgiven for thinking that the Tulips would look to shut up shop and hold on to the point that they had. Not so. They pushed for a winning goal and it duly arrived at the death courtesy of a low free-kick from Jack Roberts.

“We didn’t start the game anywhere near where we would have liked,” admitted Roberts. “But Macca scored a great goal right on the stroke of half-time and it sent us into the interval in good spirits.

“The Gaffer just told us to trust each other and opportunities would come our way. We were able to regroup and whilst it took us a while to find the equaliser, we just knew that the game was ours for the taking, even though we went down to ten men.

“To set up the equaliser and then go on to score the winner late on was a great feeling!”

Dion Sembie-Ferris added: “Those first ten or 15 minutes were totally unacceptable, particularly after the instructions that we were given by the Gaffer.

“We started to play some good football as the opening period went on and the goal just before half-time was so important.

“It gave us a massive lift and we went on to dominate the second half, moving the ball a lot quicker than we had done in the first half.

“As Jack says, it was only a matter of time before we equalised and then going down to ten men didn’t worry us either. We kept the pressure on and there looked like only one team would win it as the clock ticked down.

“Robbo was electric in that second half and as a team we really showed some fight. That said, we don’t want too many of these scenarios where we have to come back from two goals down!”

Both players played their part in bringing home their first three points of the campaign having suffered a 2-1 reverse at newly-promoted Real Bedford on the opening day before sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Harborough Town in their next outing.

“As a group we understand that we still have gears to go through,” continued Roberts. “Hopefully this win can send us on our way now and we can find some form in what is going to be a tough League this season.

“The standard really does get better each year, but we have the personnel here to do well. As a club we have our eyes on promotion and why shouldn’t we? We’ll take it game-by-game and look to keep accumulating points.

“From a personal point of view, I just want to keep making a contribution.”

There was a nod of agreement from Sembie-Ferris. “The most important thing is to be consistent with performance levels. When I first joined the club last year, I didn’t make the impact I wanted to. I am desperate to help the club be successful and the only way I can do that is by being spot-on with my performances week in, week out.

“We have a very talented squad here and a successful manager who has operated at a higher level; everything is in place for us to challenge amongst the leading pack and we have to work hard to be able to achieve our objectives.

“It’s been a tough start. Yes, we’re only three games in and we’ve got four points to our name, but our standards are set very high.

“There are going to be more twists and turns than people think this season. It’s a strong League this season and the competition will be intense with everyone capable of beating each other. We have to focus on making sure we’re at it and do what we’re capable of.”

Their road trips continue on Saturday with a trip to Stourbridge.

IMAGE: Spalding United FC

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