Boston United 0
Spalding United 1
A late goal from Rhys Longville-Daley earned Spalding United an eye-catching 1-0 win at Boston United in the Lincs FA Senior Cup on Saturday.
Longville-Daley, on as a second-half substitute at The Jakemans Stadium, turned home from close range in the 90th minute to ensure the Tulips won Dave Frecklington’s first competitive game as boss.
The impressive victory sees Spalding progress to a semi-final at Evo-Stik NPL Division One South rivals Stamford on a date to be confirmed.
Both sides had chances early on, with Nathan Whitehead firing a clever 20-yard free kick over and Boston skipper Joe MaGuire heading a Jason St Juste cross wide.
Spalding keeper Michael Duggan then saved well at the feet of Lamin Colley, before Brad Barraclough lashed a 12-yard effort wide for Frecklington’s charges.
A spree of chances for Colley followed, with Duggan making one comfortably save from the striker before he then fired wide when through and flicked a Jay Rollins cross off target.
There was still time for the dangerous Barraclough to force a smart save from Chris Dibble at the other end as the sides went in level at 0-0 at half time.
It was all Boston early in the second period, with St Juste seeing a strong effort parried by Duggan and Rollins launching a deflected effort off the bar.
The Tulips came back into the game, though, with Barraclough shooting off target when well placed and Longville-Daley spurning another good opening.
Then, just when it looked like the game was heading to penalties, Longville-Daley took advantage of some hesitant Boston defending to prod home a late back-post winner for the Tulips – and get Frecklington off to a winning start.
Tulips: Duggan, Costa, Field, Varley, Stainfield, Spafford, Lockie, Whitehead, Waumsley (Longville-Daley 61), Barraclough (Butland 81), Thorpe (Bannister 46). Not used: Walker, Heeley.
Attendance: 428
- Holbeach United were held to a 0-0 draw by UCL Division One side Oakham United in their latest pre-season friendly on Saturday.
- Pinchbeck United won 5-2 at Long Sutton Athletic in a lively friendly at London Road on Saturday.
Tom Brooks and Liam Ogden both netted twice for Ian Dunn’s side, with a trialist getting their other goal.
