An early goal from full back Tosin Olopade saw Spalding United sign off their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 win at National League South side Chelmsford City.
Jack Roberts hit both bar and a post in a good test of the Tulips’ readiness for the step up in class, which begins on Saturday with a trip to Radcliffe for their National League North opener.
The win followed a disappointing midweek defeat to a youthful Coventry City side but manager Jimmy Dean said the team had learned more from that defeat than their otherwise unbeaten warm-up campaign.
“We probably should have scored at least another two but they will say the same,” said Dean. “However, the result doesn’t matter. We did a session on everything that went wrong against Coventry and I was pleased with the result and performance.
“We had to be clinical in our moments when we got the ball and we got better and better with the ball.
“It was perfect for us against step two opponents, ready for what comes next.”
Spalding have been missing a traditional frontman for most of the pre-season due to Bart Cybulski’s injury and Saleem Akanbi’s illness but Dean said his team had adjusted well. “Every team I’ve had has scored a lot of goals. I don’t want to be reliant on one player for goals. We need people who can contribute goals from all over the pitch.”
As for promotion to the second-highest level of non-League football, Dean knows his team must hit the ground running if they are to avoid a season of struggle.
“We have to be better disciplined than we were last year and be more composed on the ball than we were. We need more energy and aggression when we’ve not got the ball. We have to be clinical in attacking moments.
“It’s going to be a challenge but it’s business now. We’ll make our game plan and go with it.”
Dean made a late addition to his squad with the arrival on a month’s loan of midfielder Sam Straughan-Brown, 19, from League One side Doncaster Rovers.
☐ Spalding United will be wearing a new sponsor on the front of their shirts for the 2026/27 campaign.
Drainage service providers Dalrod will be on both home and away kits as part of a two-season partnership.
Dalrod’s Dave and Jo Lane said: “We’re incredibly proud to become the main shirt sponsor. This partnership is about far more than football. It’s about supporting a club that genuinely makes a difference within the community.
“The work carried out by the club, from youth development to community engagement, aligns perfectly with Dalrod’s own values.”
Tulips chief executive officer Leigh Porter, thanked the Lanes and everyone at Dalrod for their support and added: “Dalrod have been fantastic supporters for a number of years and this new partnership represents a significant step forward.”
