Brett Whaley reckons that Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup tie with Stamford will serve as a true indicator as to how much of a force Spalding United will be this season.
The South Lincolnshire rivals will clash for the first time this season at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field (3pm), with FA prize money and the prospect of a lengthy run in the famous competition going to the victors.
However, both sides will also be gunning to secure promotion from Pitching In NPL Midlands Division this season, something Stamford have been accustomed to over the past few years under Graham Drury.
For the Tulips, they are being talked about in the same breath as their rivals for the first time in a while – and Whaley is looking to put a marker down.
“I’m hopeful that we’re a lot closer to them now than we have been,” said the Tulips chief. “Personally, I thought Stamford were the best team in the league last season – certainly in the second half of the campaign.
“They’ve made a few changes there and lost a few players, but we know the players that they’ve brought in are of a good quality.
“One thing about Stamford is that they’ve been a very settled side in recent seasons, so it shouldn’t take long for them to bed their new players in.
“I do think we can go into this game with confidence, though. Pre-season went well and it’s good we’ve got a league win under our belt early in the season.
“I think it’s one of those early season games that are going to show us where we are; Stamford are a great barometer for what we’re looking to achieve.
“It’s an FA Cup game, but in reality this should show us if we’re near the kind of quality we need to compete in the league.”
Whaley is under no illusions about the benefits of going on a handy run in the FA Cup.
Teams as far down the non-league ladder as Spalding and Stamford know that they can’t win the competition, but money-spinning runs bring both financial benefits and money-can’t-buy notoriety.
Indeed, Stamford reached the first round proper themselves back in 2016.
“The FA Cup is a nice break and distraction from what you’re looking to achieve in the league,” added Whaley. “I know we’re not going to win, but there’s always a chance of a big draw if you go far enough.
“You can get pre-occupied with league games and the weekly grind, so it’s nice to have a derby in the cup that we can enjoy.”
Whaley is hoping that striker Josh Moreman will return, while James Clifton is also expected to shake off the knock he picked up in the 3-0 win over Daventry on Saturday.
Ben Seymour-Shove, Matt Sparrow and Sam Spencer are expected to play for Deeping Rangers on dual forms.
Stamford were 2-0 winners at Bedworth United in their league opener and then defeated Harboroygh 3-1 on Tuesday night.
