Report: 4th XI Men vs Long Sutton 3s – October 04, 2025
Spalding Fours moved off the foot of East League Division 5NW with a superb home 3-2 win against Long Sutton Thirds and beating the opening record of last season of going without a win until the ninth game.
The hosts welcomed to the team, Isaac Davison who was now eligible to play in the league Despite playing in a far faster paced game and in an unfamiliar role, the diminutive 13-year-old had an excellent debut.
Spalding didn’t get off to the best start with Long Sutton’s pace and quick passing causing a few problems, but as time progressed, the home side grew into the game as they grew used to the pace. They took the lead, possibly slightly against the run of play, when Andy Barlow deflected home a Dave Burrell shot from a short corner.
This galvanised Long Sutton into action, and they equalised albeit there was small element of luck when James Giles tried to intercept a shot that only saw the ball deflect wickedly past Steve Thurlbourne in goal to level matters.
The next goal was to the away side and Spalding can only hold their collective hands up as they allowed time and space for a Sutton forward to drive into the D and shoot past Steve giving him no chance.
But the second half, was a different matter and was easily one of the best halves that Spalding have produced in a long time. They chipped away at Long Sutton and despite a couple of close calls, held their nerve to grind out a result with the defence of James Morris, James Giles, Kev Sawyer, and Sam Hicks solid.
The play was swifter; passing was accurate and movement off the ball was excellent. And this play led to the equaliser after a particularly good move. Andy Barlow started the move from the centre of midfield finding veteran Ed Sly. He then worked with the hard-working Alex Myland on the right-hand side of midfield before the ball found its way to Dave Burrell. His perfect ball found the ever improving Matthew Dorsett who cleverly deflected the ball past the Long Sutton goalkeeper to equalise.
Sam Willerton on the left-hand midfield had an excellent game, with key tackles and passing and set up some near chances for the home unit. 2-2 at this stage would be a good result against a far more experienced Long Sutton side with only two juniors in their ranks however the youth policy of Spalding again paid dividends with six juniors in the side.
Man of the match Jake Sawyer sealed the win with the match winning goal, and it was just rewards for an excellent display. He was left in acres of space at the back and was found with the perfect pass. This left him with a one on one with the Sutton custodian and calmly picked his spot and Spalding had three points in the bag at that stage.
Sutton pushed forward but couldn’t get past Spalding with Henry Gibbons also having a five-minute cameo at the end giving the home side their first points of the season.
Spalding travel to Kettering Thirds next week who are second in the table with a 100% record in a game that will be extremely tough on paper.