Dave Frecklington is hoping that Spalding United’s incredible form in Evo-Stik NPL Division One South can inspire an Emirates FA Cup upset on Saturday.
The Tulips travel to Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division outfit Mickleover Sports (3pm) for a first round qualifying clash – and are in buoyant mood after back-to-back wins over Northwich Victoria and Stamford over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Mickleover should prove a tougher nut to crack as they sit eighth in the league above Spalding with three wins from six games.
Tulips chief Frecklington sees the FA Cup as a way to raise vital funds for the club and sees the tie as a ‘win-win’ scenario, with nobody really expecting his charges to pull off a famous upset.
He does, however, hope to have player/coach Chris Hamilton and Lincoln City loanee Jenk Acar available for the trip to Derbyshire.
That would serve as a welcome boost for a Spalding squad that is low on numbers but high on quality.
Frecklington said: “I’m hopeful that Chris Hamilton might be available and Jenk Acar is also hopeful that he will be fit. But it comes too soon for Brad Barraclough.
“With the injury problems that we’ve got, it’s important that we got through the first round with regards to the budget and getting prize money in.
“It’s one of those games that you look at and think ‘OK, let’s try to win so we can get the extra funding in’.
“I went to watch Mickleover last week and they are a bit indifferent at the moment.
“They are a very good footballing side and play a diamond formation, which seems to hurt us at times.
“It’s win-win for us really, we’re away from home again but go there with loads of confidence. Let’s see what we can do.”
The Tulips last played Mickleover in 2015, drawing 2-2 at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field in March and losing 2-1 at Station Road in February. Sports went on to win the league and clinch promotion.
