Spalding United 4
Barwell 1
Relentless Spalding United delivered a real statement of intent on Tuesday night as they humbled higher-graded Barwell to march into the last eight of the Doodson Sport Cup.
Another double from Andrew Tidswell (17 and 87) and further strikes from Mitch Griffiths (24) and Lewis Webb (90) fired the Tulips to glory against a Barwell side that are sitting above the likes of King’s Lynn Town and Stamford in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division.
Sub Guy Hadland did set up a nervy finale with a 65th-minute header, but Spalding never really looked like losing in front of what sadly was the lowest crowd of the season at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field (just 64).
The Tulips could now face a quarter-final against FA Cup giant-killers Warrington Town or Merseyside-based big-hitters Marine – but boss Pat Rayment believes his side can match anyone in the competition on their day.
He said: “After Saturday’s postponement we looked like we really wanted to play – and we were at it from the start. We could have won by more really.
“They went gung-ho a bit at the end with six players up, which made for an exciting finish, but I don’t think 4-1 flattered us in any way.
“I’m not being arrogant, but with the ability I have in that dressing room I have to say that I expected to win the game.
“There’s no two ways about it, my players relished the test of playing a side at a higher level and we really rose to the occasion. There’s another two levels in a lot of the players at this club.
“I welcome this run in the Doodson Cup. It allows us to play Saturday, Tuesday all the way through – and I can rotate my squad.
“We look at the competition as another stepping stone – and it’s nice to be measured against the likes of Barwell. We’ll raise our game against better sides because it suits the kind of players we have here.
“The only disappointing thing was the amount of people at the game, but I can’t do anything about that. Hopefully they’ll come on Saturday.
“My team would do better at a higher level, I have no doubt. We’ve got to get out of our current league first – but if I’m honest, I don’t think my team would be too far off a play-off position in the league above.”
It took just 17 minutes for Spalding to break the deadlock at a chilly Sir Halley, with defender Nathan Stainfield crossing for a sliding Tidswell to convert at the back post.
Number two arrived just five minutes later. This time Tidswell turned provider as he beat the Barwell offside trap and squared the ball past keeper Dom Richards for Griffiths to calmly slot into the unguarded net.
Visitors Barwell never let their heads drop, though, and they twice worked Michael Duggan thanks to headers from Alex Tomkinson and Jon Stevenson.
The Tulips could have gone into the half-time break 3-0 up, but Tidswell directed a Jack McGovern cross wide at the near post.
There was an even better chance for the hosts to extend their advantage early in the second period, too, as Griffiths expertly slipped in Tom Waumsley. The striker never really looked like finding the net and pulled his effort wide of the near post.
You wondered if Rayment’s side would rue those wasted opportunities when Hadley superbly headed a corner into the net at the near post some 25 minutes from time.
That triggered a Barwell onslaught, with man-of-the-match Duggan acrobatically tipping a Nigel Julian piledriver over and Declan Towers nodding a great chance wide from the resulting corner.
The Tulips kept their cool, however, and sealed their progress with two fine goals in the closing stages.
Sub Ryan Oliver unselfishly teed-up Tidswell for number three after rounding the keeper, allowing his strike partner to fire in off the underside of the bar from close range.
Midfielder Webb then raced through to rifle the final goal under Richards in added time as Spalding further enhanced their growing reputation as one of the Evo-Stik League’s most upwardly mobile clubs.
Tulips: Duggan, Leary, Jackson, Stevens, N Stainfield, Webb, Griffiths, Hall, Tidswell (Hempenstall 87), Waumsley (Oliver 60), McGovern (Clarke 79). Not used: J Thurlbourne.
Tuesday’s other results
Doodson Sport Cup: Ilkeston 2 Lincoln Utd 1; Stafford Rangers 2 Rushall Olympic 2 (pens 5-6).
UCL Premier Division: Cogenhoe United 0 Thurnby Nirvana 2; Deeping Rangers 3 Harrowby Utd 1; Eynesbury Rovers 2 Peterborough NS 2; Long Buckby 3 Oadby Town 2; Northampton Sileby Rangers 4 Harborough Town 1; Sleaford Town 5 Boston Town 4.
