spalding united are one win from step two after Yusifu Ceesay scored late in a 1-0 play-off semi-final victory over Halesowen Town on Wednesday night. The home crowd of more than 2,000 watched Spalding turn a tense tie into a home final against Real Bedford on Bank Holiday Monday.
Ceesay Breaks The Deadlock
Ceesay scored with 15 minutes remaining, turning home a low centre from Jack Roberts and Curtis Thompson. That finish settled a match that had been tight enough to leave Spalding waiting deep into the second half for a breakthrough.
Halesowen had chances of their own. Jason Cowley curled a shot just wide of the far post at the start of the second half, and Dan Wilks later produced an acrobatic stop to claw away a goalbound effort. Those moments kept the game alive until Ceesay’s finish arrived.
Jimmy Dean And Liam Moore
Spalding manager Jimmy Dean was dismissed from the dug-out after trying to prevent a quick throw-in being taken. Liam Moore returned to the starting line-up after missing the 4-4 draw at Worcester City over the weekend, a match in which Spalding passed the 100-goal mark for the league campaign.
The result also came against a Halesowen side that lost skipper Josh Smile to injury in the first half. Spalding handled that disruption better, then used the late goal to close out a semi-final that carried a clear prize: a place in the home final and a shot at step two for the first time ever.
Real Bedford Visit Next
Real Bedford are now the final hurdle at Spalding’s ground on Bank Holiday Monday. Another one-goal result would be enough to complete the job, after Wednesday’s win left the club one victory from the promotion target it had been chasing.
