The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Ilkeston 2
Spalding Utd 2
Pat Rayment was left cursing the lottery of a penalty shoot-out once again as his Spalding United side were dumped out of the Doodson Sport Cup in cruel fashion.
The Tulips twice led their Evo-Stik League Premier Division hosts in Tuesday night’s quarter-final clash thanks to strikes from Michael Leary (16) and Mitch Griffiths (48).
But they were pegged back on each occasion courtesy of a James Reid penalty (45) and Jake Wright’s 63rd minute effort, ensuring the tie would be decided on spot-kicks.
Spalding’s Jamie Thurlbourne hit the post with the first attempt of the shoot-out, but the two teams converted all nine of the others – meaning Rayment was forced to endure a fourth defeat on penalties in just over three years in the job.
Still, having seen his side lose their previous three games in all competitions, the Tulips chief was pleased with what he saw.
“I don’t know what I’ve got to do to win a penalty shoot-out here,” bemoaned Rayment. “That’s four I’ve lost now.
“I’m disappointed to be out of the competition, but it feels like we stopped the rot with this performance after two defeats in a row.
“The penalties were pretty high-end, neither keeper really had a chance.
“It was a good workout for us and I was impressed with Ilkeston, they look a very strong outfit. We were much improved from Saturday and I was impressed with Jordan Nuttell’s showing up front, he looked very sharp.”
Although the result didn’t quite go their way, the improved performance is timely for the Tulips ahead of Saturday’s visit of Evo-Stik League First Division South leaders Sutton Coldfield Town (3pm).
The table-toppers, who beat Spalding 2-0 on the opening day of the season, will arrive at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field some 14 points better off than Rayment’s side – although they’ve played seven games more. The Spalding supremo isn’t preparing for the clash any differently, but is respectful of Sutton Coldfield’s season so far.
He said: “They’ve been top of the league pretty much since day one and have a very experienced manager who knows what he’s doing.
“We’ll not prepare for the game any differently. But I do feel like the Ilkeston showing has got us firing again, just in time for what is a huge game in our season.”
Spalding may have to do without keeper Michael Duggan, who sat out Tuesday’s loss with injured ribs. He was replaced by on-loan Corby Town stopper Sam Donkin.
Adam Jackson misses out as he begins a three-game ban, while Jordan Hempenstall (knee) remains sidelined. Andrew Tidswell could return, while Rayment is also hoping to bolster his attack with the signing of a ‘physical presence’ in attack before the clash.
Tulips: Donkin, Leary, Jackson, N Stainfield (Hodge), Stevens, Hall, Webb, Griffiths, Waumsley (Adams), Nuttell (L Thurlbourne), J Thurlbourne. Not used: G Stainfield, McKue.
