Pat Rayment is expecting Spalding United’s friendly clash with St Ives Town to be their toughest pre-season test to date.
The Tulips welcome the Saints to the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field on Saturday (3pm) as the pair lock horns for the first time since the UCL Knockout Cup final of 2013. Spalding won 4-0 that day, but the Saints also secured promotion after finishing just above Spalding in a league that was won by Holbeach United.
Both sides have managed to make the successful transition to step four, with St Ives – now bossed by Ricky Marheineke – now in Evo-Stik League Division One Central.
Spalding boss Rayment said: “I don’t think there’s any question that they will be our biggest test so far.
“It’s the kind of friendly we want at this stage of pre-season and it should be a good game.”
Rayment will use the game to once again run the rule over triallist Jack Beckett, who was recommended to him by former Holbeach United boss Graham Drury.
Beckett, formerly of Hitchin, impressed in last Saturday’s 2-0 win over Holbeach United.
- Spalding will now travel to Deeping Rangers for a friendly on Tuesday night (7.45pm).
The scheduled game at Farsley Celtic on August 8 has now been cancelled too, making the Deeping trip the Tulips’ final pre-season clash before the league gets under way.
Spalding will also visit Pinchbeck United on Monday night (7pm).
- The Tulips cruised to a 3-1 victory at Boston Town on Tuesday night.
All of the goals came in the first half at Tattershall Road, with George Zuerner netting his first two Spalding goals and Tom Waumsley also on target.
Lori Borbely replied for the Poachers from the penalty spot.
