Spalding United 0 Stamford 1
A first-half goal from striker Jonathan Margetts was the difference as Spalding United were dumped out of the Emirates FA Cup by rivals Stamford on Saturday.
In a derby between two teams that are being tipped to be in the race for promotion from Pitching In NPL Midlands Division this season, it was the Daniels who took the local bragging rights and FA prize money after a battling win at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.
There was little to choose between the South Lincolnshire rivals in the Preliminary Round clash, but the predatory instincts of in-form hitman Margetts proved to be the difference.
He was the first to react to a rebound on 26 minutes after Jake Duffy’s corner was headed onto the post by James Blunden and had the simple task of netting from close range.
Spalding boss Brett Whaley, who handed a start to striker Josh Moreman in the clash, almost saw his side level when Elliot Sandy forced a smart double save from visiting keeper Ben Heath.
After the break Tulips’ keeper Michael Duggan was forced to save twice from Margetts, while Spalding very nearly forced a replay when Stefan Broccoli’s late effort was superbly saved by a stretching Heath.
But it was Stamford who ended in the ascendancy and ex-Tulip Michael Frew almost made it 2-0 in added time, forcing another save from the excellent Duggan.
Tulips: Duggan, Hart, Marshall, Clifton, Stainfield, Cartwright, Jones, Draper (Broccoli), Sandy (Hilliard), Moreman (Rolt), O’Brien. Subs not used: Floyd, Edge.
Stamford: Heath, Burgess, Currie, Vince, Wright, Blunden, Coppola (Armstrong), Jake Duffy, Jack Duffy (Frew), Margetts, Johnson (Furey). Subs not used: Miller, Mellors-Blair, Challinor.
Attendance: 468
