Spalding United 0
Grantham Town 1
Spalding United player manager Elliot Sandy has vowed to give the fans something to cheer about this season after a disappointing showing in Tuesday’s Lincolnshire County Cup final.
The Tulips lost 1-0 to Grantham Town at Lincoln City’s Sincil Bank after a fine 56th minute strike by Elliott Durrell from the edge of the area.
The Tulips had the better of the first half with Dylan Edge going close early on and Nathan Stainfield having an effort well saved before the break.
But in a game of few chances they were unable to create a clear cut one after falling behind as the team second from bottom in the Pitching-In Northern Premier East division held on for the win.
“It was one of those games,” Sandy said. “We had such a positive result at the weekend and all the players earned the right to get the shirt for the big cup final and we should have been buzzing and full of confidence. It didn’t happen and we didn’t play how I know we can.
“That’s something we’ve probably seen too much of this season. We’ve had really good results and not followed it up, so it’s something we’ve got to work on.
“We had the better of the first half without creating many good chances.
“Grantham came into it a lot more and maybe shaded the second half, but throughout it was a game of very few chances.
“The one bit of quality from Durrell, who has always been a really good player, decided the game.”
It’s now about at least securing a play-off spot for Spalding who got back to winning ways with a 3-1 home victory over Harborough Town in the Midland Division on Saturday.
The Tulips bounced back from the previous midweek’s 1-0 defeat to Corby, by coming from behind to beat Harborough with goals from Archie Jones, James Clifton and Harrison Poulter from the bench.
The 18-year-old striker joined on loan from National League side Scunthorpe United before Harborough but was unavailable for Tuesday.
Also having come in on loan is Miguel Ngwa from Northampton Town, a product of the League Two club’s academy.
With five games left, The Tulips remain third but are now 11 points behind leaders Stamford who look set to be crowned champions
Sandy’s side are nine points clear of sixth placed Coleshill as they look to finalise a play-off place.
They could go a long way towards doing that by beating fourth placed Boldmere St Michaels.
“We’ve got to go again as we’ve still got a hell of a lot to play for this season,” Sandy continued. “It’s Boldmere next who are right behind us in the league and we’ll be playing on the astroturf so it’s going to be a completely different game.
“We’re in a great position and at the start of the season the aim was for promotion.
“The cup final came along as an added incentive and I’m particularly gutted for the fans who were absolutely brilliant.
“Hopefully we can push on now and give them something else to cheer about.
“It doesn’t matter how you get up, it’s about getting promoted and we’ve some big games coming up.
“We’ve had a few of those recently and not got the results so I’ve been looking around at my players and seeing who is able to step up and be counted when they’re needed.”
Sandy has also added to his coaching team with Stephen Walker coming in.
A Spalding spokesman said: “The UEFA B qualified coach has had successful spells at Bromsgrove Sporting, Stratford Town and Coalville Town where he experienced promotion from step four to step three via the play offs”
Tulips v Grantham: Duggan, Peters, Warburton, Barker, Stainfield, Cartwright, (Draper 68), Jones (Hilliard 76), Clifton, Sandy (Rolt 60), Edge (Broccoli 61), Ngwa (Ansu 85). Subs not used Palmer, Bucciero. Attendance: 856.
Tulips v Harborough: Duggan, Peters, Warburton, Barker, Stainfield, Cartwright, Jones (Draper 76), Clifton, Sandy (Poulter 69), Edge), Ngwa (Broccoli 78). Subs not used Rolt, Hilliard. Attendance: 249.
