Spalding United braced for a severe test of their credentials

Pat Rayment rates Spalding United’s next three games as the biggest of his near four-year reign as manager.

The fifth-placed Tulips welcome fellow unbeaten Evo-Stik League First Division South title hopefuls Stafford Rangers to the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field on Saturday (3pm), before also hosting big-hitters Belper Town on Tuesday (7.45pm).

The third of three huge home games is then an FA Cup clash with high-flying Evo-Stik Premier Division outfit Nantwich Town the following Saturday.

With Rayment wanting his Spalding side to challenge for promotion this year, he reckons he’ll learn a lot from the trio of tough tests. And, with key duo Nathan Stainfield and Dan Banister back at his disposal following lengthy absences, the Tulips chief is gunning for three wins.

“Having these three games in succession is a big as it gets,” admitted the ex-Peterborough United professional. “It’ll offer us great guidance as to the season ahead.

“I can’t remember a bigger run of games during my time here. It’s very exciting.

“Stafford will be very, very tough. They’ve got a squad of around 22 players and vast experience at this level.

“They’re going for the title, so it’ll be the perfect test for us. They’re probably down as favourites, but they’ll remember coming to our place and getting absolutely mullered 4-0 last year.

“Equally, Belper on Tuesday are a team that I expect to be up there.

“I’ll keep saying it, but there’s 50-60 per cent more still to come from my side.

“We’re a team in transition, but I expect them to rise to the occasion this week.

“Having Nathan and Dan back is a massive, massive boost to us all too.”

Stainfield and Banister won’t be the only fresh faces at the Sir Halley on Saturday.

The Tulips have also snapped up versatile defender Ross Watson following his release from King’s Lynn Town.

The right back was part of the Spalding squad that won the UCL Premier Division title in 2013/14 – and Rayment feels he’ll add vital experience to a young squad.

Rayment added: “Ross will be a very, very good signing for us. We’re a side short on experience, so he’ll bring plenty of that too. He’s been part of a side that has won this league before, so that is also a massive bonus.

“Let’s be honest, we’ve got a bit of a kindergarten squad with so many players under the age of 23. He fits the bill perfectly.”

Watson had a brief spell with Holbeach last summer before re-joining Lynn.