Curtis Thompson showcased his growing impact at Spalding United with a standout performance during their recent match against Leiston, helping his team secure a convincing victory. The 32-year-old midfielder, who joined Spalding from League Two side Grimsby Town during the summer, has been gradually finding his rhythm after a challenging start to the season.
Manager Jimmy Dean expressed his satisfaction with Thompson’s development, highlighting the obstacles the player faced upon his arrival. Thompson, who made 35 appearances for Grimsby last season, dealt with a family bereavement and a significant injury that affected his early contributions. Dean remarked, “Curtis had a family bereavement when he came in early doors and a bad injury last season and then had to get a couple of niggles out of his system as well as adapting to being part-time.”
Thompson’s breakthrough moment came during the recent home match against Leiston, where he scored his first goal for the club. His opening goal equalized after an early strike from Joao Rangel, setting the stage for a dominant first half by Spalding. Following Thompson’s goal, Josh McCammon put the Tulips ahead, and further goals from Bart Cybulski and Dion Sembie-Ferris ensured a comfortable lead at halftime.
Dean praised the team’s response after conceding the initial goal, stating, “I felt calm, and if we could settle ourselves down, then we would be fine. The rest of the first half was scintillating. We were really clinical and decisive in the moments when they presented themselves for a solid win.”
Despite the strong first-half performance, Dean was less impressed with the team’s display in the second half, which ended scoreless. He noted, “I wasn’t pleased at all with the second half. The distribution from the back was poor and, although we had good energy and kept pressure on the ball, we had no control of it.” Dean acknowledged that the team would need to improve their second-half performance to maintain their momentum moving forward.
Looking ahead, Spalding United will host Cleethorpes Town in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup on October 3, 2023, before continuing their campaign in the Southern League Premier Division Central against Worcester City on October 7, 2023. As the team aims to build on their recent successes, the continued development of players like Thompson will be crucial to their aspirations.
In conclusion, Curtis Thompson’s evolving role in the team reflects not only his personal journey but also the potential of Spalding United as they strive for success in the league.
