Goals either side of half time from Bartosz Cybulski in response to Josh Castiglione’s opener gave Spalding United a 2-1 win over Bedford Town.
There was never much difference between the two sides, but the Eagles grew increasingly frustrated as they struggled to create good chances in the second half and Spalding’s individual quality told.
Bedford enjoyed a lot of territory in the first ten minutes, but it was Spalding who had the first chance of any description, with winger Jack Roberts firing into the side netting after a step over.
In the 12th minute, a mazy run from Castiglione down the right-hand side allowed him to find George Moncur in the box, who could only allow Peter Crook to make a relatively simple save.
Three minutes later joy was found down the right wing again as Laurie Walker pumped the ball up the field and it went over the Spalding defence. Castiglione latched onto the loose ball and knocked it around Crook, who then hauled him down. This didn’t stop the ball trickling in though and Bedford had the lead.
The home side responded to the opener well, with Roberts heading over and Alfie Bendie forcing a save from the edge of the box and they were threatening an equaliser without completely dominating.
Five minutes later the Tulips went close as a cross from the right was diverted by the Eagles’ Anthony Stewart towards goal, and Walker had to respond quickly to save with his legs.
The equaliser came on the stroke of half-time to reflect the pattern of the game. The ball was played out to the wing and Joe Payne, who had already been booked for a late challenge, was left exposed and unable to prevent the move developing.
Spalding got in behind and Roberts delivered a ball across the face of goal which Cyblulski got to first and toed home.
Three minutes into the second half Spalding took the lead. The Eagles struggled to deal with another cross-field ball and Ben Fowkes got in behind. He had plenty of time to pick out Cybulski who was free in the box and easily found the net.
Just before the hour mark the striker could have had his hat-trick but was denied by a strong Walker save.
The Eagles’ efforts to get back in the game were admirable and committed, with Moncur and Junior Gyamfi making the game their own and being thwarted by some determined Spalding defending.
However, there was a growing sense that the game was drifting away as the hosts ran down the clock effectively and won fouls in areas that killed Bedford’s attacks.
The final whistle was eventually blown and Bedford’s four-game winning streak came to an end, but there were positives to take away. It was another very competitive performance against a team playing well, and there was a good debut for Tarik Gidaree from off the bench.
