Spalding United cruised into the third qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday after seeing off nine-man Evo-Stik League First Division South rivals Coalville Town 3-0.
An own goal by Dean Freeman, Nialle Rodney’s overhead kick and a late Josh Moreman penalty fired the Tulips to a victory that will bank them £4,500 in FA prize money.
Spalding’s task was made a lot easier by the first-half dismissals of Nat Watson (33) and Jared Holmes (44), who both received straight red cards for bouts of unprecedented verbal abuse at referee David Advent.
It’s the first time the Tulips have reached this stage of the FA Cup in 11 years – and their reward is a trip to Midland League’s Premier Division Sporting Khalsa (October 11).
Based near Walsall, step five Khalsa won 3-2 at Evo-Stik League First Division South side Basford United on Saturday.
Spalding boss Pat Rayment said: “They had two players sent off because we were very much on top – it’s that simple.
“You can’t say things to the referee like those two lads sad, the red cards were just.
“After that we were always in control and the win was never in doubt.”
Traditionally, encounters between Coalville an Spalding have always been keenly contested – and Saturday was no exception.
The Tulips were near to taking an 18th minute lead when a Sam Murphy header was cleared from the line.
But five minutes later they were ahead. Adam Jackson’s neat forward pass sent Moreman on one of his trademark dashes down the left touchline. He breezed past a couple of defenders before unleashing a great shot from a narrow angle which deflected off Coalville defender Freeman and crept just inside the far post.
Within minutes the home team were down to ten players with Watson vehemently questioning a refereeing decision and receiving a red card for his outburst. An identical situation resulted in
Holmes following him to the changing room one minute before the interval, but there was still time on the clock for Rodney to increase the Tulips’ lead with a spectacular overhead kick.
The depleted home side made two substitutions for the start of the second period and one of them, Alex Dean was close to reducing arrears with a crisp 20 yards drive.
The Tulips, despite having numerical advantage, made life difficult for themselves with a number of loose passes and missed chances.
On 50 minutes Rodney had a good run down the right side and crossed perfectly for Michael Frew whose tame header was comfortably saved by Sean Bowles.
The home keeper, voted the best in the NPL for the last two seasons, rescued his side time and time again.
On the hour he was at full stretch to deny substitute Tom Waumsley, who had just replaced Frew, and minutes later plucked Adam Millson’s effort from just under the bar.
At the other end Michael Duggan was at his best to turn a shot from Danny Jenno over the bar.
However, it was the Tulips who ended the game on a high with a third goal when Moreman fired home from the penalty shot after Rodney had been tripped in the area.
Tulips: Duggan, Watson (Walker 61), Jackson, Spafford, Stainfield, Murphy, Banister (Lawlor 53), Millson, Frew (Waumsley 55), Rodney, Moreman.
MOTM: Jackson.
Attendance: 183.
