Spalding United 5
Mickleover Sports 1
Another incredible display of finishing from Tom Waumsley inspired Spalding United to an eye-catching Doodson Sport Cup victory over much-fancied Mickleover on Tuesday night.
Striker Waumsley, who is now into double figures for the season, fired four of the Tulips’ five goals (53, 75, 90 & 90+3) at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field as the hosts came from behind to breeze into round two of the all Evo-Stik League competition.
Ryan Oliver (55) was also on target for Spalding, who trailed 1-0 at half time after a hopeful Karl Demidh drive (37) left stand-in keeper Alex Pycock red faced on his debut.
In the end it mattered little, though, with Spalding worthy winners. Boss Pat Rayment was delighted with what he saw – and reserved special praise for Waumsley.
He said: “Up front, we’re causing teams a lot of problems. Tom’s performance is testament to the hard work that he puts in.
“You get out what you put in – and if you watch Tom, well you wouldn’t like to play against him. He doesn’t let up and he runs from the first minute to the 90th.
“His technique may not be the prettiest, but boy is it effective.
“At the same time, we’ve looked much more solid at the back since making a personnel change. We look solid all over the pitch and are creating chances.
“We got a nice compliment from their manager, who said we’re the best team in the league by a mile – and they are up there.
“I think we’ve got a good mixed of experienced players and young kids here and everyone has worked hard.”
The first half was an instantly forgettable affair, with neither side creating much on a wet night at the Sir Halley. The only highlight was the Mickleover goal, but debutant keeper Pycock will want to forget it in a hurry.
He looked set to gobble up a routine save from Demidh’s long range drive, but the ball squirmed under him and into the net.
It was a different story after the break, though, with the Tulips on fire in front of goal. Waumsley hauled them level with an inch perfect half-volley that he placed superbly into the corner.
Spalding’s second was a cracker too, with Oliver lashing home a much different half-volley in off the near post, leaving keeper Chris Martin helpless.
Waumsley effectively ended the game as contest with another super finish 15 minutes from time. He superbly swept the ball into the corner after Jordan Nuttell collected Jack McGovern’s pass and drove into the box.
Mickleover’s Stephen Kasmala was then sent off for kicking out at Adam Jackson – and it triggered a late collapse. Spalding Sub Lewis McKue hit the post from close-range, before deftly crossing for Waumsely completed his hat-trick with a wonderful header into the corner.
Amazingly, there was still time for the striker to race through on goal and lash number five into the far corner as he breezed past Andrew Tidswell at the top of Spalding’s scoring charts.
The Tulips now turn their attention to league matters in Evo-Stik League Division One South and the visit of Norton United on Saturday (3pm).
Tulips: Pycock, Griffiths, Jackson, N Stainfield, Stevens, Webb (G Stainfield 77), McGovern, Hall, Oliver (Nuttell 66), Waumsley, J Thurlbourne (McKue 83). Not used: Hussey.
Attendance: 94
MOTM: Waumsley
Doodson Sport Cup
Fist round results: Ashton United 1 Salford City 1 (Salford win 5-4 on penalties); Belper Town 3 Grantham Town 1; Blyth Spartans 0 Frickley Athletic 2;Brighouse Town 2 Stocksbridge Park Steels 1; Carlton Town 0 Barwell 4; Coalville Town 1 Stamford 1; (Coalville win 4-3 on penlties); Droylsden 6 Trafford 0; Gresley FC 4 Loughborough Dynamo 2; King’s Lynn Town 0 Lincoln United3; Market Drayton Town 1 Leek Town 3; Mossley 1 Northwich Victoria 5; Nantwich Town 2 Stourbridge 3; Newcastle Town 3 Halesowen Town 0; Ossett Albion 0 Spennymoor Town 3; Prescot Cables 1 Buxton 2; Romulus 0 Sutton Coldfield Town 3; Scarborough Athletic 0 Farsley AFC 2; Sheffield FC 5 Ossett Town 3; Spalding United 5 Mickleover Sports 1; Witton Albion 4 Kidsgrove Athletic 1; Workington 3 Skelmersdale United 0.
