Reaction from Spalding United manager Elliot Sandy after his side’s victory over Bedworth United
Manager Elliot Sandy was pleased at how his side could mix up their type of performances as they landed a 'massive' three points on Saturday.
The Tulips were 1-0 home winners over second-placed Bedworth United in the table-topping clash at the Sir Halley Stewart ground.
The hard-fought home success saw Spalding open up an early three-point lead at the top of the Northern Premier League Midlands Division table following Saturday's victory.
It was a second successive home league win for the Tulips who had been 6-1 victors over Shepshed Dynamo the previous weekend.
Sandy said: "They are just as good as your 6-1 wins like last week.
"I just like how we have that mix where one week we can go and out-play sides at times but then we can get down to the nitty-gritty the next week.
"Bedworth are a very good, organised and strong side and we had to match them in that department for long periods and obviously it was a great goal from James Clifton which was the difference in the end.
"It's a massive three points and, although it's still early in the season, it keeps us on a good run and with a lot of positivity in the camp."
Clifton struck the vital goal after just nine minutes of the match to send Bedworth to their third league loss of the campaign.
It ensured the near-700 strong crowd went home happy as the Tulips fans turned out in force to back the club’s Under 16s go free initiative.
Sandy added: "Getting that early goal settled the nerves a little bit. It was a big game with an unbelievable turn-out of support.
"I know that the club has really promoted the day and the volunteers have really helped out.
"I just hope that new people who came will see that we're a good side who are doing well on the pitch at the moment. The more they come along makes for a better atmosphere for the players.
"It wasn't a 6-1 win like last week, but the fans have seen a different type of game where it's a hard-fought win and the lads are buzzing as they all put a great shift in."
The Tulips handed a debut to Peterborough United loanee Tyler Winters who has joined for a month to bolster Spalding's attacking options.
Marquee summer signing Dan Sweeney is due to have a scan this week on an injury which has kept him sidelined for the past month while fellow frontman Mikey Taylor has departed for Southern League Premier Division Central side Alvechurch.
Sandy explained: "We felt that we needed some more pace and younger legs at the top end of the pitch at times which is why we brought Tyler in.
"I thought he did really well when he came on. He looked strong, put himself about and I was really pleased for him as well."
Spalding continue their league campaign next Saturday with a trip to face Loughborough Dynamo.