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Spalding United host Royston Town in the Southern League Premier Division Central




Manager Jimmy Dean wants his players to use the positivity currently surrounding Spalding United to help fuel their push for honours this season.

The Tulips have turned around their fortunes since Dean took over the helm of the Southern League Premier Division Central club.

Arriving with Spalding in the relegation zone, Dean has transformed the Tulips who now find themselves just three points adrift of the play-offs and six shy of top spot.

Spalding celebrate their second goal against Stratford on Saturday. Photo: Chris Lowndes
Spalding celebrate their second goal against Stratford on Saturday. Photo: Chris Lowndes

They are on a 10-match unbeaten league run and have recorded victories in their last four league games to boost their bid for a top five finish.

Dean said: "It's all positive at the moment and we have to use that now and run with it.

"We've been playing catch-up since the day I came in but we're getting there.

"I said that we were in a relegation battle when I arrived because we were and it felt like that.

"It was really tough but Andrew (Killingsworth, Spalding chairman) has allowed me to get a good side together and my staff are fantastic.

"We've got a fit and organised side and we're chasing the play-offs."

Spalding are currently top of the 10-game form guide after a win of six wins and four draws which has returned 22 points.

They now face Royston Town at the Sir Halley Stewart ground on Saturday with the Crows also enjoying a decent spell themselves.

The Hertfordshire side were unbeaten in five games before losing 2-0 at home to high-flying Harborough Town on Saturday.

Dean added: "It will be a tough game.

"Royston are a side that I really rate highly and they've been one of the form teams in the league over the past 10 games.

"They will be dangerous and it's going to be a tricky contest."

Spalding will check the fitness of Kieron Freeman who came off injured during the first half of Saturday's win over Stratford Town.

Maniche Sani was also withdrawn as a precaution as Spalding swapped their entire front four during the latter stages.

Dean explained: "We have to be positive but injuries can change seasons.

"We've got to look after the players because injuries will play a big part.

"We're obviously in a good place but there is an awful lot of work still to do."

Spalding were 3-0 home winners over Stratford on Saturday after a superb first half display laid the foundations for the victory.

Goals from Joe Nyahwema and Darnell Johnson gave the Tulips a two-goal interval lead before Sani struck after the break to end any hopes of a Bards comeback.

Dean said: "We turned over a side who came here second in the league.

"It was a fantastic result considering where we've come from.

"It was a really pulsating performance in the first half and we should have had more goals.

"The third goal in the second half came at the right time for us and, if they were going to chase a game, then we've got tools to really expose that.

"We did that on the transitions and, after that, it was all about control to kill the game and we did that superbly because we've had a really difficult spell of games.

"The balance between attack, defence, control and locking the game off when we're going forwards is really good now."

Spalding have arranged their Lincolnshire Senior Cup semi-final against National League North side Scunthorpe United for Tuesday, February 4.

The winners of the clash at the Sir Halley Stewart ground will face either Cleethorpes or Stamford in the final.



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