What does it take to stop Drayton? Amid the turmoil of manic managerial upsets, the uncertainties generated on who is taking over next, and the loss of leading players to new clubs and injuries, they just keep on winning. Even with 10 men.
This was Town’s second successive UniBond League South success with 10 men, assistant manager Steve McCormick having been ordered off for his first tackle on goalkeeper Steve Norris, moments after going on with the score 3-3 and 10 minutes left.
And just to complete the drama, Martyn Davies got a last minute winner from the penalty spot after man-of-the-match Nicky Porter had been fouled in the area.
“It was all pretty remarkable, especially as it was our fourth game in eight days,” said coach Mick Murphy.
“We’d spent four hours on the bus there and were 2-0 down approaching half-time after Jamie Haynes had had a penalty saved. We switched to a more attacking 4-3-3 and they just could not cope.
“The team spirit is tremendous, despite all the problems the club has had in recent weeks. The lads have got on with the job and played really well.
“We are now fifth in the table three points behind the leaders, Sheffield FC, with two games in hand and we have three in hand over the second and third placed teams, Kidsgrove and Rushall Olympic.”
The long coach journey took its toll in the early stages as second-from-bottom Spalding struck twice through their lively centre-forward, Simon Mowbray in the 16th and 26th minutes, the latter a bit of a gift from a mix-up between keeper Andrew Pryce and central defender Paul McMullen.
Porter pulled one back three minutes before the break with a 40-yarder and his ability to cause all manner of confusion by running at the opposition brought him an equaliser on 57 minutes, when he fired past Norris after the keeper had seen his defence evaporate.
Spalding’s third, just three minutes later, was a travesty. A long pass out of defence looked at least a yard over the touchline, but as Town eased off the ref waved play on and a delighted Mowbray completed his hat-trick with another gift.
After all they had been through, that could have been a killer blow – but Drayton’s Jason Francis, had other ideas, rising at the far post to head home a 3-3 equaliser from Porter’s corner three minutes later.
By Terry Morris
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