Spalding United 0
Stamford AFC 2
Holders Stamford dumped Spalding United out of the Lincs FA Senior Trophy on Friday night as they grabbed goals in final minute of each half.
A scrambled 45-minute opener from Jordan Smith gave the Daniels a half-time lead at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field, before Ryan Robbins converted a last-minute penalty to settle the contest.
The defeat leaves Spalding without a fixture until next Saturday’s friendly with rivals Holbeach United, while Stamford advance to host Gainsborough Trinity in the second round on Tuesday night.
There wasn’t much in the tie, which very much had a pre-season feel – not surprising considering the first competitive game of the new season took place almost a month before the Evo-Stik League kicks off.
Player/coach Danny Hussey, who took charge of Tulips alongside assistant boss Marcus Ebdon with chief Pat Rayment missing, was happy enough with what he saw.
He said: “I was a bit disappointed with the penalty, I thought it was a bit of a ‘gimme’ if I’m honest.
“The lad just ran into Neal Spafford – and the ball was going out for a throw in. It’s just one of those things.
“To be honest, I’m not too worried that we’ve not got a game on Tuesday. I actually think that it’s a good thing.
“We’ve got a young side that needs to work on a few things. Games are great, but sometimes you need to work on things in training – and that’s what we’ll do.
“Were we ready to play Gainsborough? I don’t know, it’d be a tough one at this stage of pre-season.
“Marcus and I were really impressed with what we saw from the lads. They worked really hard and the shape was very good.
“Of course, there’s still plenty of improvement to come – but that’s what pre-season is all about.
“It did feel like a friendly game. They didn’t open us up at any stage, but we couldn’t really open them up either.
“Both teams had a few chances, but the two goals we conceded were sloppy really – but for those mistakes it was a 0-0 game.”
Spalding fielded a new-look side at the Sir Halley, with Paul Walker, Neal Spafford, Sam Murphy, Dan Lawlor, Adam Millson, Michael Frew and Josh Moreman all making their debuts.
There was nothing much between the sides early on, with the first chance falling to Evo-Stik League Premier Division outfit Stamford on the quarter hour.
An incisive break resulted in Smith getting in behind the defence, but keeper Michael Duggan was out well to save with his feet at the near post.
From the resulting corner, Stamford skipper Richard Jones flicked on a cross into the path of the lively Smith, but he could only nod over the bar.
Spalding’s first effort on goal was a curling strike from Millson after a fine break from Mitch Griffiths on the right.
But the Daniels hit back at the other end when Eddy Samba skinned two man and drove towards the box. His powerful effort was goal-bound, but a superb sliding tackle from Walker deflected it over the shot over the bar.
The Tulips’ best chance of the first period arrived on the 40 minute mark, with headers from Frew and striker Jordan Nuttell directing the ball towards a free Griffiths in the box. Unfortunately, the versatile right back could only head over from eight yards.
Stamford took full advantage of their let-off, as they got their noses in front on the stroke of half time. A quick thrown in on the right led to a close-range chance for Smith – and he scrambled the ball past Duggan, who couldn’t stop it crossing the line.
The second period wasn’t packed with quite as much action, as both sides began to tire.
Frew did head a decent opportunity wide at the back post following a deep cross, while at the other end Duggan did well to deny Cameron Powell after he flicked a dangerous James Jepson delivery towards goal.
The ever-impressive Duggan then had to be alert to keep out Jordan Neil’s near-post effort following a smart free-kick routine involving the talented Jepson.
But he could do nothing about Robbins’ penalty in the dying seconds. Awarded for a foul by Spafford on Smith following a powerful run, the St Kitts and Nevis international thrashed home the spot-kick into the top corner to send Stamford through.
It’s the second year on the spin that the Daniels have ended Spalding’s run in the competition – and they are now bidding to win the county cup for a third year in succession.
Tulips: Duggan, Griffiths, Jackson, Walker, Spafford, Murphy, Lawlor, Millson, Frew, Nuttell (Waumsley 68), Moreman (Rawdon 77). Not used: Zuerner, McKue, Hussey.
Daniels: Knight, Carr, Fox, Powell, Jones, Batchelor, Challinor (Clements 64), Jepson, Smith, Hall (Neil 81), Samba (Robbins 51). Not used: Staff, Nettles.
Attendance: 221
