Spalding United’s pre-season is underway and after beating National League side Boston United on Saturday they were comfortably beaten by League One Peterborough United on Tuesday.
In front of a fantastic crowd of 1,306, a very strong Posh side ran out 7-0 winners .
Jordan Wakeling netted the first two in the opening half for Darren Fergusson’s side who fielded a completely different team in the second period.
Ireland youth international and new igning from Fleetwood Town Cian Hayes’ double make it 4-0 on 65 minutes before Matik Mothersille, David Ajiboye and Joel Randall completed the seven in the opening stages.
“It was a really tough test. Peterborough are a fantastic side, probably a Championship side to be honest.
“They showed their quality, their pace, they’re sharp all over the pitch and to be fair to our lads I’ve told themdon’t get disheartened as I felt we gave it a really good go.
“We certainly competed for 60 minutes.
“The goals we gave away were a bit sloppy but when the opposition are as good as they are that’s going to hapen.
“They pick out balls that teams in our league simply won’t do.
“We’ve got to dust ourselves down and look to Saturday and the game against Rotherham United.
“Theses are the games the lads really want to play in and in front of lots of fans.
“It’s all a good experience for the players, for myself and there’s going to be times we have to sit in against teams and stop them playing.
“We won’t be judged on pre-season. We won’t be carried away by beating Boston and we won’t either by being beaten by Posh.
“The lads have been fantastic pre-season and I’m proud of them.”
That win the Tulips pulled off was an impressive 2-1 victory against newly-promoted Boston United on Saturday.
A trialist and Sam Bennett netted in the first half to see off the National League side.
A crowd of 503 witnessed the win and delighted manager Sandy said: “Boston are a top side from a couple of leagues above.
“They brought a strong side here but I thought we matched them for long periods.
“Defensively we were fantastic and to a man everyone put a real shift in.
“The football we played was superb, it was a joy to watch at times. We looked dangerous. We scored two and their ’keeper made a worldy..
“It’s pre-season so results mean nothing at this stage but as a manager it’s pleasing to see the work you put in on the training pitch that the lads have taken it in.
“I thought all the new lads were outstanding and have fitted into the group well.”
The Tulips are due to find out tomorrow who their first opponents at step three of the non-League system will be when the Southern League Premier Division Central fixtures are released.
Southern League spokesman Jack Moore said: “There have been a number of enquiries about when the fixtures will be announced. The 2024/25 fixtures will be released on Friday, July 19, subject to any unforeseen matters that may delay this.
“With the Premier League and EFL publishing later than usual, this has had a knock-on effect with the other leagues release dates.”
Pictures by Adrian Smith.
