A place in the top ten is the target for Spalding United as they head into their final game of the Evo-Stik NPL First Division South season on Saturday.
The Tulips play host to Leek Town at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field (3pm), with a victory likely to guarantee them a place in the top half of the table.
Tenth place is still up for grabs, but Spalding will need to beat Leek and hope results go their way for that to happen.
Boss Marcus Ebdon is hoping that his side can build on last weekend’s morale-boosting victory at Newcastle Town and has hopes they can put on a show for the fans.
The ex-Peterborough United professional could even give himself a run-out, with his squad likely to be quite depleted.
“Neither side has very much to play for,” admitted Ebdon. “But I’m very much looking forward to the game.
“It’s all about pride for us, we want to finish the season well in front of our own fans and try to make sure we finish in the top half.
“We put in a very strong performance in the away game against Leek (won 3-0), so hopefully it’ll be a case of more of the same.
“It’d be good to do the double over them, Leek are a very strong side. It’d be a real feather in our cap.
“The squad is looking a little thin on the ground, but we’ve still got enough quality to win the game.”
Amongst that quality Spalding have at their disposal is skipper Nathan Stainfield, who was once again named in the Evo-Stik NPL Division One South’s team of the season.
It’s the second year on the spin that the talismanic central defender has been picked in the team of the year – and Ebdon isn’t surprised by the accolade.
“He’s a class act,” added the Spalding boss. “If he’s still here next season, I’d imagine that he’ll be in that team again.
“For me, there’s no better defender than Nathan in this league or the one above.
“He stands out head and shoulders above the rest of the defenders.”
Stainfield will be amongst the favourites to win an award at Spalding’s end of season awards night, which will be held straight after the Leek game at the Tulips’ Social Club.
You can follow @Andrew_Clucas on Twitter for live updates from Spalding’s final game of the season, with team news and scoreflashes from 2.45pm.
