The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Tydd St Mary and Spalding Town both pulled off Spalding Inter Services Trophy upsets on Saturday as they set up a final showdown at Carter’s Park in April.
ChromaSport PDFL Division Three outfit Tydd stunned Division One rivals Long Sutton 2-0 at London Road, while Division Two promotion hopefuls Town knocked off Sutton Bridge United, another Division One team, 1-0 at Memorial Park.
Tydd were certainly underdogs before they made the short journey up the A1101 to take on Danny Goddard’s Magpies in the most eye-catching of the semi-final showdowns.
However, the Saints started superbly and went ahead on eight minutes when Stu Easey delivered a delightful ball into the Sutton box for Scott Pemberton to flick into the path of Darren Rawthorn, who volleyed home from just four yards out.
Sutton did rattle the woodwork at the end of the first half as they looked to get back into the game.
The hosts also kicked off the second period much the stronger, with Tydd keeper David Cooper doing well to get his fingertips to a Matt Cawthorn free kick.
Dangerman Cawthorn then hit the bar five minutes later as Sutton continued to knock at the door.
However, it was Tydd who wrapped up a memorable derby win when a clever short corner between Nick Ainslie and Nicholas Reims caught out the Magpies defence – allowing Reims to dance into the box and score the decisive second goal.
The other semi-final was more of a stormy affair, with hosts Sutton Bridge finishing the match with just nine men.
Markus Parry struck the only goal in the first half for Town, who held onto their lead well.
They were helped by red cards to Barry Osborn (two yellows) and Kieren Lally (straight red), but won’t care one jot.
Cup specialists Town will take on Tydd in the final in April, but the pair will also go head-to-head this Saturday for a place in the ChromaSport Intermediate Shield final.
That last-four clash will take place at Spalding’s Castle Sports Complex (1.30pm).
