GALLERY – Tulips get pre-final promotion boost

Spalding United went into Wednesday’s Lincolnshire County FA Senior Cup final on the back of a nine-point boost to their league promotion hopes.

The Tulips were due to take on Scunthorpe United at Lincoln City’s LNER Stadium after the Voice went to press (see next week’s edition for report and pictures) but were lifted when they learned Pitching In Northern Premier League title rivals Harborough Town had been deducted six points due to fielding an ineligible player earlier in the season.
Together with the three points earned from a 4-0 win over Sutton Coldfield on Saturday, that put Elliot Sandy’s men top of the table, with only two games remaining.
Tyler Winters swooped to put the Tulips ahead after 13 minutes but they had to wait until the last quarter-hour to make the points safe with a brace from Riley O’Sullivan, after 75 and 78 minutes, before Sam Bennett completed matters with two minutes to go.
Anstey Nomads could have taken top spot on Tuesday but their game in hand against Corby Town was postponed and will now be played this evening (Thursday).
Spalding are at Sporting Khalsa on Saturday before completing their regular season at home to Coleshill on April 27. Whether that will be their last game of the campaign or preparation for the play-offs remains to be seen.
Manager Sandy said: “We’ve got two games and we need to just worry about ourselves and try to win every one.”
Tulips: Breeden, Draper, Warburton, Walker, Stainfield, Dawes, Hilliard, Clifton, O’Sullivan, Winters, Sherif. Subs: Adegoke, Barker, Sandy, Bennett, Graham.
Attendance: 381.