Spalding United 1
Heanor Town 0
Photo by ADRIAN SMITH
A moment of magic from Tom Waumsley kept Spalding United in the FA Cup mix as they saw off a talented Heanor Town outfit on Saturday.
Waumsley’s explosive effort four minutes before the break settled the extra preliminary round clash at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field – and banked the Tulips the best part fo £2k in prize money.
But the win came at a cost, with talisman defender Nathan Stainfield picking up a wrist injury that will likely keep him out for up to six weeks and Ash Burbeary damaging his hamstring.
Despite the injury blows, Spalding supremo Pat Rayment praised the efforts of his side – and felt they could have won by more.
He said: “Heanor are a very good side, but I always felt we were pretty comfortable if I’m honest.
“We should really have scored a few more. Tom Waumsley scored a fine goal that you wouldn’t really expect him to get, but then missed a few great chances.
“I’m pleased we’ve got through to the next round and an FA Cup run is never a bad thing.
“We are counting the cost of the game though as Nathan Stainfield picked up an injury that will keep him out for a while.
“Of course, it’s pleasing to get back to winning ways.”
Visiting Heanor, arriving on the back of three straight victories in the Northern Counties East League (step five), offered the Tulips a stiff challenge with some robust and direct play.
Indeed, only an exceptional block on the line by keeper Michael Duggan prevented them taking a 37th minute lead.
But the Tulips also had their chances in the first half before getting their goal.
Master marksman Andrew Tidswell saw a header drift inches wide and Ash Burbeary slotted a strike just past the post with the Heanor keeper stranded.
The opening goal when it did arrive, was a stunner.
Slick build-up play on the right side involving Tidswell, Jamie Thurlbourne and Chris Hall allowed Mitch Griffiths to deliver perfectly for Waumsley – on as a substitute for the injured Burbeary – to expertly dipatch the ball like a rocket into the roof of the net.
Waumsley went close to notching a second just minutes later, but this time keeper Ian Deakin was equal to the test.
Spalding had more exciting moments in the opening stages of the second half too.
Goalscorer Waumsley was full of running, while midfield maestro Chris Hall twice brought saves from Deakin.
At the other end, a handball offence just outside the 18-yard area spelled danger for the Tulips, but Jared Holmes’ free kick failed to get through the defence wall.
Heanor skipper Nick Hall sent in a piledriver on 67 minutes which looked destined for a top corner of the goal, but Michael Duggan somehow pulled off a flying save to deny him.
Heanor pulled out all of the stops in the closing minutes in an attempt to take the tie to a replay, but the Tulips held on with a training session looking more inviting than a trip into Derbyshire on Tuesday night.
There were some exceptional displays in the Tulips side, none more so than new signing Luke Thurlbourne in midfield and Kern Miller, Adam Jackson and Michael Duggan in the heart of the defence.
But it was Stainfield who walked off with the man-of-the-match award after playing a large slice of the match with a suspected broken wrist following a heavy fall.
Despite that blow, Spalding can now look forward to a home clash with Holwell Sports in the next round on Saturday week (3pm).
They beat Retford United 3-1 on Saturday.
Tulips: Duggan, Leary, Jackson, Miller, Stainfield, L Thurlbourne, Griffiths, Hall, Tidswell (Webb 82), Burbeary (Waumsley 32, Thomas 89), J Thurlbourne. Not used: Bore, Roberts.
Attendance: 188
