2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (James Bedford)
Manager Jimmy Dean is urging his Spalding United side to impose themselves on title-chasing AFC Telford in a massive match for both clubs on Saturday. The Tulips make the trip to Shropshire looking to maintain their push for a play-off place in the Southern League Premier Division Central. Dean's side travel to the New Bucks Head on the back of a three-game winning run to face a Telford team whose 11-match unbeaten streak has taken them up into second spot in a tightly-congested race for promotion.
Spalding were impressive 5-0 victors over Lowestoft Town on Saturday which backed up less-than-convincing wins over Biggleswade and Hitchin. Dean said: "I did come away scratching my head a little bit from the games against Biggleswade and Hitchin but I left Lowestoft feeling confident. "It was fantastic performance and where we need to be.
"I'm not looking at the opponent in any game but at us and what we do. "We now need to go and try to impose ourselves on a side that is flying. "They've got a great manager for a great club with great fans and it will be a really difficult game but we've got to back ourselves because we've had a big turnaround in our fortunes away from home.
" Dean was also full of praise for the versatility of experienced campaigner Glenn Walker who was forced to make a late change in positions in the weekend win when Joe Nyahwema was injured in the warm-up. Walker is one of the few players to remain at the club from last season after being signed by previous manager and close friend Elliot Sandy. Dean commented: "Glenn did really well in another new role for us and it was a change that we didn't really want to make because Joe has been fantastic for us.
"Glenn has got everyone's respect at the club and, wherever we ask him to do, he does it. "He is obviously one of Elliot's best mates so it would have been a really difficult situation when I came in but he's been a gentleman. "Glenn has always given everything wherever I have asked him to play and I can't speak highly enough of the man.
"He's a fantastic footballer and a fantastic human being and we're lucky to have him at the football club. "I feel privileged to be working with him and I'm not getting carried away by saying that because he's been fantastic and it's why he's the club captain." Spalding go into Saturday's match in eighth place in the table but just two points adrift of the play-off spots.
Fifth-placed Harborough Town - who occupy the final play-off spot - travel to face league leaders Bedford Town this weekend. Midfielder Callum Chettle wasn't included in the Tulips' squad last weekend having signed for United Counties League Premier Division North title-chasers Eastwood CFC..
