Spalding United ready for a testing October as they bid to show their mettle

Boss Brett Whaley reckons Spalding United will be in a great position to challenge for honours this season if they can negotiate a tricky October and stay unbeaten.

The Tulips are one of only three teams to still be unbeaten in the Pitching In NPL Midlands Division and sit in third place after a very busy September.

And they welcome one of the other two, leaders Halesowen Town, to the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field on Saturday (3pm) for the undoubted game of the weekend.

Halesowen have won all seven of their league games so far this season, with the Tulips five points back having won four and drawn three of their clashes.

The fixture is a great chance for Whaley’s side to deliver a statement win – and the boss is in a confident mood.

“This is the start of the next phase of the season,” said the Spalding supremo. “August and September were so busy for everyone.

“To be still unbeaten in the league and still in the FA Trophy is a really good start for us. October isn’t as busy, so we can do more on the training pitch. But the fixtures are all tough ones, so it’ll be a chance for us to discover how good we are.

“If we can get past these games against Halesowen, St Neots, Corby, Loughborough Dynamo and Bedworth United and still be unbeaten we’ll be in a great position to challenge for trophies ahead of the run up to Christmas.

“Likewise, we’ve got Stafford Rangers coming up in the FA Trophy and you never know how far we can go in that.

“We feel very confident as a group going into the Halesowen game, to still be unbeaten at this stage gives us plenty of belief.

“Obviously they are going very well too and it promises to be a good game.”

The Tulips could hand a debut to new signing Morgan Penfold, who was on the bench in the 1-0 win at Dereham in the FA Trophy on Saturday.

Penfold is an attack-minded player who lists Peterborough United and AFC Barrow amongst his former clubs.

He said: “After training with the lads for the last few weeks it’s clear to see the potential at the club and I’m really happy to be able to contribute to a successful season.”

On his new signing, Whaley added: “I’m delighted to welcome Morgan to the club. He’s such a talented lad who’s last two seasons were at step one and league two.

“He’s been unlucky with injuries, hopefully he’s over all that now and we see him working back to his best.”

Spalding will be without striker Dylan Edge for the clash after he was sent off in last weekend’s 1-0 FA Trophy win at Dereham Town.

But defender Jack Withers is back in training with the squad and right back Aaron Hart is jogging again after his nasty injury.

Meanwhile, Spalding’s Lincs FA Senior Cup quarter-final against Boston United has been scheduled for Tuesday, December 20 at the Sir Halley (7.45pm).

• Spalding are holding a Sports Celebrity Dinner featuring former England and Liverpool winger John Barnes at the South Holland Centre on Thursday, October 20 (7pm start). You can book a table of ten for £695. Call 07921 699072 or email commercial@spaldingunited.net for more information.