Former Spalding RFC scrum-half Kevin Wand insists the 1st team should have nothing to fear in the NLD Cup on Saturday.
Town host fellow Midlands One East side Market Rasen and Louth at Memorial Field (2pm) in a welcome respite from league action.
Last month Town took a 62-0 pasting at Rasen, but their two most recent performances have shown that they are not ready to just accept their fate of relegation. However, Wand knows this weekend’s first-round tie will be a tough proposition.
He said: “We took a bit of a beating over at Rasen recently, but there’s not the pressure of the league for the lads this weekend so hopefully they can go out and express themselves.
“It would be nice to have a cup run, but it’s going to be a big ask.
“We always seem to play better at home so hopefully that will be the case again.”
Wand has seen the pretty miserable campaign in its entirety but insists there are bright spots.
New Zealander open side Liam Richardson was man of the match on his debut in the 31-20 defeat to Paviors last weekend.
Wand said: “Liam is a typical Kiwi. There’s no fuss, he just gets on with it.
“Tom Duerden (second row) is playing well and Will Shields has a bright future.
“He’s learning his trade, but is developing and his confidence is growing every week. He has good attitude and a good work ethic.”
Shields (17) is understudy to Rob Lucas at scrum-half but has also featured on the wing.
