Spalding United 0
Gainsborough Trinity 0
(penalties 5-6)
Unlucky Spalding United bowed out of the Integro League Cup after a 6-5 penalty-shoot out defeat to higher-graded Gainsborough Trinity on Tuesday night.
Neither side managed a breakthrough in the regulation 90 minutes at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field, meaning spot-kicks were needed to seperate the Lincolnshire duo.
Although Scott Floyd, Kegan Everington, keeper Alex Smith, Ben Richards and George Zuerner all netted from 12 yards, youngsters Dan Mason and, crucially, Elliott Ramsden missed to allow Trinity to book their place in the next round.
Spalding also lost Jenk Acar to a hip injury, meaning he’ll miss Saturday’s home clash with Worksop Town (3pm).
Tulips boss Matt Easton admitted that the defeat won’t worry him or his side, who had won four games in a row ahead of the clash.
He said: “It was a bit of a nothing game if I’m honest. Both teams managed to give game time to some younger players, which is great.
“But it was a bit nondescript; you never like losing, but we’ll not shed any tears about this one. It wasn’t a classic.
“We got what we wanted from the game and there are plenty of positives, albeit one big negative with Jenk Acar aggravating his hip injury.
“The main positive is that the likes of Elliott Ramsden, Ted Holliday and Dan Mason got valuable game time, which is vital for their development.
“But we’ll now lose Jenk for Saturday, which is a big blow. That’s just how it goes.”
Tulips: Smith, Floyd, Hugo, Brookes, Richards, Hare (Frain 65), Ramsden, Everington, Acar (Mason 46), Zuerner, Holliday. Not used: Duggan, Spencer.
