Daniel Piccaver’s first-half header was enough to earn Tydd St Mary a 1-0 win at Spalding Town on Saturday as they booked their second cup final date in as many weeks.
Just seven days after stunning Long Sutton Athletic in The Spalding Inter-Services Trophy semi-final, the Saints progressed to the final of the ChromaSport PDFL Intermediate Shield with another impressive away victory.
With the wind at their backs in the first half, Division Three side Tydd started much the better against Division Two Town at the Castle.
However, it was visiting keeper David Cooper who was forced to make the first big save of the game on seven minutes.
The big moment of the game arrived on 27 minutes, though, as Tydd’s Will Kirkham floated a lovely free kick into the Spalding area for Piccaver to send a looped header over Town keeper Brendan Taylor and into the net.
Minutes later Tydd almost scored their second when a lovely near-post corner by Nick Reims was well met by the head of Darren Rawthorn, but Taylor pulled off a top save.
With the wind advantage with Town after the break, Tydd knew their hosts would come at them.
They didn’t disappoint, but were almost caught out when Lowe – who cut an isolated figure in attack for the Saints – narrowly fired a shot wide of the left post with Taylor beaten.
With the Tydd back four superbly marshalled by man-of-the-match Piccaver, Spalding struggled to get any real shots on target and resorted to long throws and long balls into the box.
On 78 minutes Town should have equalised when, following a goalmouth scramble, ex-Tydd skipper Gary Booth blazed over the bar from two yards. Then, with just nine minutes remaining,
Piccaver cleared a shot of the line and Jason Powley blocked another effort.
Tydd boss Carl Wilson said: “This was a great team performance by the lads today.
“Every player to a man stood up strong and played their hearts out. I am very proud to be a small part of this great squad of players.”
The Saints can now look forward to an exciting final against another Division Two side Whittlesey Athletic A, which is due to be played late April or early May.
