Spalding United 1
Nantwich Town 0
Josh Moreman’s brilliant first-half goal was enough to earn Spalding United an impressive Emirates FA Cup scalp on Saturday.
The speedy striker netted on 20 minutes at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field to dump Evo-Stik League Premier Division big-hitters Nantwich Town out of the competition.
The win banks the Tulips £3,000 in prize money and secures them a trip to Evo-Stik League First Division South rivals Coalville Town in the second qualifying round.
Should they win that one the prize will be a whopping £4,500 – and Spalding would be just two more wins from a place in the first round proper.
Boss Pat Rayment said: “Naturally, I’m delighted with the result. Results-wise, against a Nantwich team that are chasing promotion in the league above, it’s probably the best win of my time here.
“I thought we deserved our victory too, it was no fluke.
“The lads worked hard without ever finding their best form – which is massively encouraging.
“The draw for the next round isn’t very exciting for either side, but both teams know they can progress.”
This first qualifying round tie was a cracking game of all action football, with play constantly flowing from end to end and both goalkeepers kept busy.
Premier Division Nantwich opened strongly, as expected, but got little change from the home backline of Paul Walker, Adam Jackson, Neal Spafford and Vic Couzens’ man-of-the-match Nathan
Stainfield. Behind them, keeper Michael Duggan not once shirked his responsibilities.
Moreman was near to giving the Tulips an even earlier lead following a neat flick-on by Michael Frew, with a shot that was deflected into the side netting. At the other end, the visitors’ Matt Bell could have done better from a good position but fired aimlessly wide.
The better chances were coming from the Tulips, though. After their settling in period Spafford went on a good weaving run into the opposition area and forced a good save from Terry Smith.
The home lead, when it arrived, was thoroughly deserved.
A brilliant cross-field ball from the impressive Spafford found Moreman wide on the left side. He gathered the ball perfectly and set off on one of his trademark dashes down the line, weaving past defenders as he approached the box before unleashing a shot from a narrow angle to give keeper Smith no chance.
One minute before the interval Duggan produced an excellent save to claw Lewis Short’s goalbound close-range header from the jaws of a top angle of the woodwork.
Inspired by the impressive Matthew Kosyco, Nantwich enjoyed a lot of second half possession, but were repeatedly denied room in the final third to unduly trouble Duggan, although on two occasions the keeper was tested by Kosyco.
The Tulips were still very active through the midfield and into attack, but despite some good efforts, were unable to add to their single goal advantage.
Tulips: Duggan, Walker, Jackson, Spafford, Stainfield, Lawlor (Millson 52), Griffiths, Murphy, Frew (Waumsley 63), Banister (Watson 58), Moreman. Not used: Nuttell, Hussey.
Vic Couzens’ MOTM: Nathan Stainfield.
Attendance: 158
Match sponsor: Wayne Mitchell.
