Robertson grabs winner in basement battle
Willenhall Town 1
Spalding United 0
FOR the first time in 12 games, Willenhall Town recorded a victory to earn a valuable three points on Saturday, writes Matthew Wood .
The league's bottom two started slowly, with only efforts from Spading's Luke Forbes and Town's Nathan Howells troubling either goalkeeper.
It took until the 33rd minute for the next effort of note and even then it was only a lack of communication between Town keeper Matt Jones and defender Andre Calder that saw the ball evade them both, before drifting wide.
Two minutes later, Spalding's Billy Oliver should have done better from 12 yards, but shot straight at Jones.
The second half was livelier and the breakthrough came on 61 minutes.
A goal kick from Jones bounced to Howells, who showed good skill to work his way into the area, before picking out the run of Nick Robertson, who had a tap in from close range.
Spalding almost hit straight back, as a corner from the left saw a flicked header go just wide, while Willenhall almost added a second after good play down the right set Robertson clear, but Michael Emery saved the shot.
Spalding had two excellent opportunities in a row, firstly Alex Fitzgerald was set clean through, but Jones came off his line well to block.
And two minutes later the keeper was alert after the ball bounced past both centre backs.
Jones blocked the initial effort, before the rebound was fired into the side netting.
After both Andy Toyne and David De Oliveira shot over the bar, Fitzgerald had Spalding's best chance of the game, but could only head over.
Willenhall almost sealed the game in the 85th minute, as Howells' shot from the edge of the area went just over the bar.
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