Spalding United Reserves crashed out of the ChromaSport PDFL Chairman Championship Shield after a 5-1 hammering at Wittering in Saturday’s quarter-finals.
With a depleted squad forced to play on a heavy pitch, it was a nightmare scenario for Tulips boss Kev Nottingham in what was their first game in four weeks.
Things looked even for the first 25 minutes as neither side created much.
The hosts edged the possession, though, as they looked to play the ball out from the back patiently.
With Spalding struggling to deploy their offside trap, Wittering finally went ahead five minutes before the break.
The hosts forced a corner and, frustratingly for Spalding, it was converted when a close range header went unchallenged and found the net.
They doubled their lead five minutes after the restart, this time direct from a breakaway when Spalding failed to deal with a long ball.
With the confidence the two-goal lead gave Wittering, the momentum shifted rapidly their way.
They were more committed to winning the ball back and were first to every loose ball.
In possession, they drove forward in waves.
Indeed, last-ditch tackles and saves from Ash Elderkin were all that prevented the scoreline being extended.
With 25 to go though, Spalding were given a lifeline.
Sub Matt Cannon drove into the box and cleverly pulled a ball back to Jack Chilvers, who side footed his shot through the hands of the home goalkeeper from just inside the box.
At 2-1, Spalding had a chance of at least forcing extra time.
But as they pushed forward they became even more vulnerable to the home side’s counter.
In the space of 18 minutes they were punished severely, conceding three further goals.
Wittering didn’t let up and Spalding just ran out of steam as they failed to mount a comeback.
Tulips: Elderkin, Philips, Endersbee, Nicholls, Braybrook, Chilvers, Haw, Rose, Fife, Cartlidge (Harrison), Mroczka (Cannon).
Saturday: Langtoft United Reserves v Spalding United Reserves (2pm).
