WORKSOP MATCH REPORT

Worksop Town 1-4 Spalding United   December 7, 2019
A Kevin Bastos hat-trick helped Spalding United to an impressive 4-1 victory over Worksop Town at Sandy Lane. Worksop Town came into the game on the back of an emphatic victory over Cleethorpes Town last Saturday, however they performed poorly as they welcomed Spalding United. Worksop nearly gifted their visitors a fourth-minute lead as David Reay sliced a clearance into the path of Joel Brownhill who carried the ball forward before poorly firing over the bar from the edge, despite Reay only just returning back to his line. Moments later, Worksop were denied an opener as Craig Mitchell directed Lee Hill’s header towards the target, however Owen Betts was in the right place to clear on the line. Spalding were awarded a penalty in the twentieth minute as Reay tripped Joel Brownhill in the area. Brownhill stepped up and fired the spot-kick into the roof of the net for the opener. Spalding began to tighten up early after the penalty and limited Worksop’s fluidity down the channels. Worksop’s next best chance came through Steven Wankiewicz who headed wide from a Steven Woolley free-kick. On the half-hour mark, Ben Richards was denied by Wankiewicz as the defender cleared Richards’ downward-header off the line. The Tulips got their second of the game with their next attack. Worksop failed to properly clear their lines which allowed Scott Floyd, who replaced the injured Jamie Jackson in the opening quarter, to break back into the area and drill a cross into the middle and Kevin Bastos got a toe end on the ball and to poke it into the back of the net. United did very well frustrate Worksop and to go into the break with a two-goal lead. Worksop were desperate for a foothold in the game to try and mount a comeback, however they were architects of their own downfall with unforced errors. Spalding added a third thanks to another Worksop mistake. A simple pass was intercepted by Bastos who ran forward, rounded the ‘keeper, and coolly slotted home his second.Bastos then got his third of the game from the away side’s second penalty. Jenk Acar was thwarted by the challenge of Wankiewicz, which left the referee with no option but to point to the spot. Bastos was delegated the responsibility from which he fired under Reay. Bastos was then given his marching orders as the winger was sent off for a heavy and high challenge on Deegan Atherton. The Tigers pulled a consolation back with twenty minutes to go, as Steven McDonnell curled home a superb effort from the edge which looped over Michael Duggan and into the back of the net. Kegan Everington went close to adding a fifth as the midfielder saw his drilled attempt saved by Reay down low. The game lacked discipline which showed with ten minutes to go as Wankiewicz was sent off for a late foul on Acar as he looked to break down the right. At the death, Lynton Karkach connected well with James Gregory’s high-ball into the centre, but Duggan was equal to it as the ‘keeper saved down low. Spalding United slowed down the tempo of the game for the remaining minutes to see out an impressive win at Sandy Lane.
By Devon Cash
Attendance: 342    Goals: Worksop, McDonnell (71’); Spalding United, Brownhill (21’), Bastos (33’, 54’, 58’)
Worksop Town: David Reay, Ben Rhodes, Lee Hill, Steven Woolley, Deegan Atherton (Harry Holland), Steven Wankiewicz (s/o 82’), Daniel Patterson, Jack Brownell (Lynton Karkach), Craig Mitchell (Connor Brunt), Steven McDonnell, James Gregory. Unused Subs: Kyle Jordan, Matt Templeton.