Bullish Spalding United boss Dave Frecklington is refusing to play down the significance of Saturday’s Lincolnshire Senior Cup quarter-final tie at Boston United.
The trip to The Jakemans Stadium (3pm) is the first competitive game of Frecklington’s reign, but the revamped competition falls so early in pre-season that it is often written off as just another friendly.
That’s not a view shared by the Tulips chief, who insists that he sees every fixture as a competitive one.
His side will be overwhelming underdogs against a Pilgrims side that ply their trade two levels higher than Spalding in the non-league ladder, but Frecklington is relishing the test.
He said: “In my mind, there is no such thing as friendly games.
“Yes, this game comes very early in pre-season – but it’s a competitive one and I want to see what this group of players are all about.
“I’ll not be looking to use the excuse of this being too soon for us, it’s a game we’re looking forward to.
“Obviously Boston United are very, very strong opponents for us. All logic suggests that I’ll be a very tough afternoon for us.
“But it’s a great place to go and play football and I hope that the lads are relishing the fixture.
“It’s a very early test of our mettle. If we can go there and come away with some sort of credit, I’ll be very happy.
“I’m interested to see how the lads adapt to the challenge and can’t wait for the game.”
The Pilgrims, still managed by ex-St Neots Town chief Dennis Greene, have overhauled their squad over the summer.
Having lost a number of key performers – including Dayle Southwell, ex-Tulip Mark Jones and Kaine Felix – Greene has made no fewer than 11 signings.
They are Shane Clarke, Nat Brown, Christian Dibble, Lamin Colley, Callum Chippendale, Joe Maguire, Courtney Wildin, Herve Pepe-Ngoma, Kalern Thomas, Jason St Juste and Waide Fairhurst.
So far in pre-season they have beaten ChromaSport UCL Premier Division side Boston Town 4-0, drew 1-1 with a Peterborough United XI on Saturday and lost to Lincoln City 3-0 on Tuesday night.
Frecklington knows it’ll be a very tough test for his Tulips, but is hoping his new-look side will impress nonetheless.
“As I touched upon earlier, Boston are a very strong side,” added Frecklington. “Dennis has had to make a lot of changes over the summer.
“But, from what I’ve heard, they were very impressive against Peterborough and they’ve made some quality new additions.
“Let’s face facts, Boston are a Conference North side that have aspirations to be a Conference Premier Division side.
“It’s going to be difficult for us to go there and win. But I’m confident that it’s a game that will benefit us immensely.
“Boston are a club that we can aspire to be like, there’s not a great difference between the two towns.
“One of the big attractions about coming to Spalding is that it’s a one-club town.
“We’re doing a bit of a rebuild here and hopefully we can capture the imagination of the people here.
“If we can show ambition and win football games, we should get a few more numbers on the gate.
“It’s a great challenge and one that I’m excited by.”
Spalding warmed up for the clash with a fiery 1-1 draw at King’s Lynn Town on Tuesday night. Michael Clunan’s penalty put Lynn ahead, only for Bradley Barraclough to level on his bow.
Another debutant, Matt Varley, was sent off moments later for a tackle that incited a big brawl.
The Tulips are back in friendly action at UCL Premier Division outfit Harrowby United on Tuesday (7.45pm).
- Spalding will enter this year’s FA Cup at the preliminary round stage and have been drawn away at Bury Town on August 20.
In the FA Trophy, the Tulips have been handed an away tie at Gresley in the preliminary round on October 8.
Should they win that, they will visit Lincoln United or Romulus in the first qualifying round on October 29.
