Buoyant boss Matt Easton has warned his Spalding United side not to underestimate rivals Stamford ahead of Saturday’s Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field derby (3pm).
One of the promotion favourites pre-season, Stamford find themselves in ninth position and are closer to 15th-placed Spalding in the table than they are leaders Morpeth Town.
Tulips chief Matt Easton rates the Daniels as one of the best teams in Evo-Stik NPL East Division and saw his side battered 4-0 in the reverse fixture.
Spalding also lost 2-1 against Graham Drury’s side in the semi-final of the Lincs Senior Cup back in July, with Easton adamant that his charges will do all they can to stop a clean sweep this weekend.
He said: “I’m aware that this is a big derby game for the fans and that Stamford have got the better of us in recent times.
“After the win on Saturday, I’d of course love to build on that and get another three points. But the objective for us has to be to avoid defeat here.
“A draw or win would keep our momentum going and that has to be the aim.
“As for Stamford, I’m not sure why they aren’t a bit closer to the top. They have some of the best players in the league and a really good manager who knows his way around this league with his eyes closed.
“It’s a good club and everything would seem to be in place for them to do well.
“They’ve just signed Gregg Smith, who for my money will be the best striker in the league. There aren’t many better defenders than Kern Miller, while their midfield is strong, too.
“I’d have thought that they’d be closer to the play-offs, but that’s not happening at the moment.
“For my money, they’re one of the best sides we’ve faced and I’ll be expecting a tough game on Saturday. I’ll be telling the lads the same.”
Easton, whose side sit six points clear of the solitary relegation spot, welcomes back two key players to the fold for the derby with attacking duo Leon Mettam and Jenk Acar fit to return.
The Spalding supremo feels that their presence in the matchday squad will be as crucial as last weekend’s 2-1 win at relegation rivals Carlton Town.
“Having those two back will be huge,” added Easton. “Going forward, they are massive players for us.
“They are influential players for the team and it will give everyone a boost when they’re back.
“We could have rushed them for the Carlton game, but decided not to. Having them back will be as important as the Carlton win.”
Stamford come into the game on winning form too, having defeated basement side Gresley 2-1 on Saturday.
Former Spalding striker Smith, who netted on his debut last Saturday, could miss the clash after being shown a red card.
Easton admits that it would be a big boost for his charges if the former Boston United powerhouse missed the derby duel.
