The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
MONEY MATTERS: Pat Rayment is chasing an FA Cup windfall.
Spalding United have two things on their mind ahead of their FA Cup first qualifying round date with Holwell Sports – prize money and prestige.
The Tulips welcome the East Midlands Counties League Premier Division side to the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field on Saturday (3pm) and are expected to progress.
When it comes to the FA Cup, Spalding boss Pat Rayment is very matter of fact. He knows his side have no chance of winning it, but the glamour of a run in the famous competition could do wonders for the club’s status… and bank balance.
Indeed, the winners of Saturday’s clash will trouser £3,000 – and Rayment is also eyeing up a glamour tie against the likes of Boston United.
He said: “Tuesday’s win gives us a lot of momentum going into this one. I’m really looking forward to it.
“We look at the FA Cup the only way we can as a club at this level. We can’t win it, but winning a few more games would be of great financial benefit to the football club.
“Contrary to what some people may believe, there’s not a bottomless pit of money at this club.
“There’s also the prestige that comes with it. If we keep winning, we could get a tie against the likes of Boston United – which would be huge for us.
“We’re all buzzing at this club at the moment and this game can’t come soon enough.”
Spalding could be handed a big boost by the return of key striker Mark Jones from a nasty knee injury.
He’ll be in the squad, as he was at Coalville on Tuesday, but may not be risked.
Visitors Holwell upset higher-graded Retford United 3-1 in the last round, but currently find themselves in 17th place in the EMCL after picking up just four points from as many games this season.
