Spalding United boss Brett Whaley has tipped rivals Stamford for promotion ahead of their all-South Lincolnshire clash at the Zeeco Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
Both sides harboured hopes of at least reaching the play-offs before a ball was kicked at the start of the season – and the Tulips even handed the Daniels a thrilling 3-2 defeat at the Sir Halley in the reverse fixture back in September.
However, it hasn’t quite worked out for ninth-placed Spalding, who make the short trip to Borderville some 19 points behind Graham Drury’s side who are fourth in the table and just six points off the top with seven games left.
Whaley feels that Stamford are perfectly equipped to take the next step up the non-league ladder, but is hoping to derail their promotion bid on Saturday.
“Stamford are a very good side,” said the Tulips boss. “They were very good last season too, but have added to their squad nicely and have done well this year.
“You only have to look at their ground and facilities to see that they would have no problem going up and being a Step Three side.
“On paper, this is one of the hardest fixtures of the season for us.
“But, as we’ve proven in recent weeks and months, going away to teams at the top end of the tabe isn’t something that we find difficult.
“Of course, we don’t underestimate them and, just because we’ve been to the likes of Halesowen and Belper and won, doesn’t mean we can do it again.
“We have a way of playing against the better sides that, at this moment in time, seems to be working very nicely for us.
“We know that we’re capable of beating anyone and the lads will go there with no fear.
“I’d expect one of our harder games of the season and we’re all very much looking forward to a good derby game.”
With just over a week to go until the transfer deadline, Whaley added that he’s not currently inclined to make any changes to his squad as he continues to run the rule over what he already has at his disposal ahead of next season.
But he did say that the deadline can cause a “chain reaction” in player movement if any significant moves happen elsewhere, admitting that he could “never say never” if the right player became available.
One man that is freshly available is midfielder Stefan Broccoli, who has served his two-game suspension and is back in the squad for the game at Stamford.
The Tulips come into the game on a run of just one defeat in their last seven, while the Daniels are unbeaten in their last three.
