Match Report - SCTFC 2 - 2 Spalding United FC

After a fantastic win last weekend, and with stretching an unbeaten run to 4, it was time to take on high flying Spalding United at Coles Lane.

This was with a view to not only extending the run, but also to start earning more points at home.

Stuart’s team for the match was as follows: Brown, Sawyer, Carter-Byrne, Lima, Beresford, Doyle, Byrne, Burgess, McSkeane, Hilton and Edmunds.

It was a steady start for both teams with some good movement and performances by all.

It took until the 15th minute before either side got any real opportunity, and Hilton was the first to grab it when a slip at the back enabled him to run on. He cut inside, but the shot came off the defender and slowed the ball down. It allowed Heath to smoother it before it could nestle in the corner of the net.

23 minutes in and Burgess sent a delightful through ball up field for Skeano to run onto. Neck and neck with the defender and only the keeper to beat, his long-range strike went across goal and just wide of the post.

Sutton won a free kick after a pull back on Burgess. Edmunds curled one to the back post for Lima, but the ball was cleared before it could be put over the line.

Right on half time and disaster struck for Sutton. Sawyer ended up on the deck and allowed Spalding to fore a ball across goal, which unfortunately went in off our very own Carter-Byrne. It put Spalding in the lead at half time.

0-1 Spalding.

No sooner had the second half started and Spalding doubled their lead. A free kick came in for Cartwright to volley into the bottom right-hand corner making it an uphill struggle for the Royals. 0-2 Spalding.

On 57 minutes Stewart made the first change of the afternoon bringing on Tague for Kyle Byrne. Hilton took the first shot of the second half for Sutton, as Edmunds set him up it allowed him to fire on the turn, only to see his effort go wide of the far post.

Carter-Byrne tried his luck from distance which caught Heath out who could only parry out and gathered at the second attempt, sadly no one from Sutton made the gamble for what would have been an easy tap in.

A free kick taken by Edmunds curled to the back post and was nearly met by Lima, but the ball skimmed under his feet just as he was about to pull the trigger.

Burgess saw his long-range effort saved well by Heath as Sutton had started to knock on the door, and now as Spalding were defending more and more.

On 75 minutes Antonio came on for McSkeane.

76 minutes in and Sutton pulled one back when Edmunds delivered a ball into the near post. Doyle managed to back header the ball home to put Sutton back in the game. 1-2 Sutton.

Some great footwork by Antonio earnt Sutton a corner. Edmunds whipped in a lovely ball which was met by Tague’s head, only to see the ball go inches wide.

It was all Sutton going forward, and Spalding were struggling to hold it together. Edmunds ran through the centre of defence, sideward passed to Tague, but it was over hit and forced him wide. He still got hold of the ball and put it into the box where Edmunds hit it just over the crossbar.

It was nearly full time and Hilton fired across goal, and at the back post was Carter-Byrne. He fired a shot, but the ball went into the side netting.

It was injury time and just as all hope of getting anything from the game was fading in with the mist of the wintery night sky, a long throw into the box was met by Tague. He directed the ball inside the far post to level the scores on the night. 2-2.

The crowd were buoyant as were all the staff and players. It was a draw which felt like a win.

An amazing game for all concerned, especially due to the adverse weather conditions. Well done lads and 5 games now unbeaten.

#COYR