If only the Vikings’ home form could match that of their travels then they would not be scratching around just outside the relegation zone. A sixth win on the road – and a fifth clean sheet – was just reward for a hard working team display.
Player Manager Nigel Danby once again reshuffled his pack with a full debut for Keiron O’Brien at left-back, James Bonarius moving inside to replace Danby who has been suffering with a heavy cold.
Godwin Douglas returned in place of Wayne Benn and Alex Nesovic replaced Steve Davey.
The reshuffled Goole defence was breached a couple of times in the opening ten minutes as Helenga broke through twice, pulling his first shot wide and bringing a good save from Chris Hill for the second.
Goole came into the game and had the better of the rest of the half with Mark Willoughby prominent on the left hand side. Jamie Jackson headed wide from a Rob Constable corner and then James Chafer volleyed inches wide before a big scramble in the home goalmouth was cleared for a corner.
Pictures by David Robinson

Willoughby had Goole’s best chance when he got on the end of a good cross only for the keeper to save with his legs and then save at full stretch from a header by the same player.
The Vikings finally took the lead on 49 minutes when Jackson got on the end of a Constable throw in and the home defence were only able to get the ball to the edge of the box where Godwin Douglas took his time and placed the ball confidently in to the back of the net.
For a while after the goal Goole were driven back by the home side and it took some strong defending with Jimmy Gore dependable as ever in midfield and the two centre backs Chapman and Bonarius giving everything and both taking very nasty knocks – Liam Chapman ended the game with a bump the size of an egg on his forehead.
Goole got back on top though with Nesovic having a really good half and Jackson as ever never giving the Spalding defenders a moment’s peace. Willoughby was again denied by a superb save from Howling before the second goal on seventy five minutes. A long clearance by Constable was cleared by Nesovic and his well timed pass was controlled by Willoughby who knocked the ball past the keeper for a hugely deserved first goal of the season.

As I said, a good team performance from Goole with O’Brien making a solid debut at left back and everyone making a contribution. Now for Woodley and we do owe them one for that midnight goal back in October!
Finally a mention for the referee, Mr Coote, who officiated in a commonsense manner with no cards and allowed plenty of honest tackling.

Goole: Hill,Constable,O’Brien,Gore,Chapman,Bonarius,Chafer(Danby),Douglas, Jackson,Nesovic,Willoughby. Unused subs: Benn, Davey