Spalding United 1
Sporting Khalsa 2
Ten-man Spalding United crashed out of The Emirates FA Cup on Tuesday night as Sporting Khalsa came from behind to earn a famous 2-1 victory at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.
All looked to be going to plan for the Tulips when Mitch Griffiths lobbed home a 13th minute opener, but the game turned five minutes before half time.
That’s because Ross Watson was harshly sent off for collecting two yellow cards – and Khalsa instantly made their numerical advantage count with a 41st-minute leveller from Marvin Nisbett.
The scores remained level all the way up until 12 minutes from time, when sub Simeon Townsend headed the winner following a free kick on the left.
Step five Khalsa, of the Midland League Premier Division, will now host either FC United of Manchester or Buxton in the fourth qualifying round on October 24.
Assistant boss Marcus Ebdon The Tulips felt they did enough to progress and was left fuming at Watson’s red.
He said: “I’m devastated, I think we did enough to win the game – even with ten men.
“I thought we created a lot, while they just threw a few balls into the box.
“Without a shadow of a doubt, the red card has cost us. The referee didn’t do anything about the other tackles that have gone on, but has sent Ross off for, well, nothing really.
“It was very unjust. It was a nothing foul – and then to make it worse he’s (the referee) gone to one of their men and told them they’ve got one more chance after a similar tackle.
“He didn’t give our player a chance at all. There was nothing in the foul.
“Over the two ties we’ve had two opposites when it comes to referees. The difference between Saturday’s referee and this one is unbelievable.
“He wouldn’t book anyone on Saturday, but then in the replay it was cards for anything.
“We do feel like we’ve missed out on a big tie. Getting FC United of Manchester here (at the Sir Halley) would have been unbelievable. The gate would have been great, you can imagine 1,500 people at the game.
“It would have been unbelievable, but it’s not to be.
“The lads worked their socks off and we couldn’t have asked any more of them with ten men for 60-odd minutes.
“We just have to go again in the league on Saturday. The FA Cup run we’ve had has been exciting, bit to be honest it should have gone on for one more game.
“It’s a big disappointment and everyone at the club is gutted with the result.”
It all started so well for the hosts, who were backed by an uncharacteristically raucous crowd of 323 at the Sir Halley.
Indeed, the fans even set off a blue flare moments before kick-off – something of a rarity at the old ground.
Cheered on by the bumper support, Spalding went ahead when Griffiths raced in behind the defence and expertly lobbed keeper James Pemberton from just inside the box.
Griffiths almost doubled his money moments later when another lobbed effort – this time from much further out – clipped the post and dropped wide after Pemberton was dispossessed by Tom Waumsley.
Josh Moreman, the Tulips’ best player on the night, then saw an effort cleared off the line by Tim Jackson after rounding the keeper, before Watson’s late tackle near the half-way line earned him a somewhat harsh second booking.
Revitalised, Khalsa needed less than 60 seconds to haul themselves level. Spalding failed to deal with a high ball into the box and Nisbett took advantage with a close-range finish at the back post.
Despite being a man down, the Tulips did have the better chances after the break. Most of them came via Moreman, who looked unplayable on the left.
His best effort was deflected just wide after cutting in from the flank, while Waumsley headed a great chance over from the resulting corner.
With extra time looming, Khalsa got their noses ahead for the first time in the tie when Townsend deftly headed a free kick past the sprawling Michael Duggan.
Unlike Saturday, there was to be no late drama – with the best chance Spalding could muster being a wayward header from sub Nialle Rodney.
At the end it was hard not to be happy for Khalsa, who wildly celebrated their memorable win after the final whistle.
The Tulips must now pick themselves up for Saturday’s Evo-Stik League First Division South trip to Goole (3pm).
They will, at least, be boosted by the returns of Jake Newman, David Bell and Charley Sanders – all of whom were cup tied.
Tulips: Duggan, Watson, Jackson, Spafford, Stainfield, Millson (Lawlor 71), Banister, Murphy, Waumsley (Rodney 68), Griffiths, Moreman. Not used: Walker, Lockie, Hussey.
Attendance: 323
OTHER RESULTS
Evo-Stik League
First Division South: Belper Town 1 Loughborough Dynamo 2; Leek Town 5 Daventry Town 1; Lincoln United 1 Gresley 3; Newcastle Town 0 Stafford Rangers 0; Sheffield FC 3 Market Drayton Town 1; Tividale 1 Basford United 1.
ChromaSport UCL
Premier Division: Boston Town 1 Peterborough Northern Star 3; Deeping Rangers 4 Yaxley 2; Eynesbury Rovers 0 Newport Pagnell Town 3; Harborough Town 3 Cogenhoe United 0; Northampton Sileby Rangers 0 AFC Kempston Rovers 4; Northampton Spencer 1 Kirby Muxloe 2; Oadby Town 1 Desborough Town 2; Rothwell Corinthians 1 Leicester Nirvana 3; Wisbech Town 1 Sleaford Town 3.
Lincs FA Senior Trophy
Quarter-final: Bourne Town 1 Blackstones 2
