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Spalding United beat Boston United in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup




The good times are continuing to gather pace at Spalding United.

Still unbeaten after 18 league games in the Northern Premier Midlands Division, the Tulips booked their place in the semi-final of the Lincolnshire Senior Cup on Tuesday night by claiming a higher level scalp.

They defeated National League North side Boston United 3-2 at the Sir Halley Stewart ground thanks to goals from Archie Jones, former Pilgrim Lewis Hilliard and Dylan Edge.

Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462503)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462503)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462527)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462527)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462531)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462531)

It was a deserved win for Brett Whaley's side in front of a crowd of more than 400 against a strong Pilgrims team who ply their trade two levels higher than the Tulips.

They were prepared to put their bodies on their line to keep the Pilgrims at bay while also showing a clinical streak at the other end as they made light of the recent enforced lay-off following the postponement of back-to-back league games.

Spalding had last been in action at the beginning of the month but they showed no signs of rustiness with a slick start which saw them create a couple of good early chances.

Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462560)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462560)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462562)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462562)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462519)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462519)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462558)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462558)

Sam Cartwright saw a looping header tipped to safety by Pilgrims goalkeeper Rhys Davies who was then in the right place to gather a shot from Danny Draper after the ball had broken for the Spalding midfielder in the box.

The Tulips then broke the deadlock after 14 minutes when ex-Boston player James Clifton outmuscled Tom Platt on the edge of the box before teeing up Jones who slotted home his finish past Davies.

The Pilgrims protested that they felt a foul should have been awarded but their appeals were waved away by Boston-based referee Alistair Wilson.

Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462556)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462556)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462533)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462533)

Spalding looked to take advantage as Stefan Broccoli dragged his shot wide of the far post after a strong surge into the Boston box.

However, the Tulips could only keep hold of their lead for three minutes as the Boston got back on level terms when Joe Starbuck's cross picked out Jordan Burrow and his lay-off was converted by Claudio Ofosu's tidy finish.

Boston looked to assert their authority on proceedings and Zak Mills flashed a header wide from a corner.

Spalding continued to show why they have the best defensive record in their division with both Aaron Hart and skipper Nathan Stainfield making crucial blocks.

And, when the Pilgrims did find a way through, they found Spalding's last line of defence in goalkeeper Michael Duggan in inspired form.

He produced a superb save to tip away a goalbound shot from Sheffield United loanee Starbuck as Boston finished the half with a strong spell of pressure.

Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462507)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462507)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462513)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462513)

However, it was the Tulips who went closest to regaining the lead on the stroke of half-time as Davies raced out of his area to head clear.

Broccoli collected the loose ball and looked to return it with interest, however, Pilgrims captain Platt was able to get back and head clear off the goalline to ensure the sides went into the interval on level terms.

Spalding introduced Josh Moreman and Edge at the break as part of their planned changes and the latter went close as he turned a Broccoli header from a Clifton free-kick goalwards but Davies was down to save.

Moreman showed his trickery by weaving into the box before drilling his shot over the crossbar while Harry Lewis lifted a decent opening wide of the Spalding goal.

More changes followed for the home side and they had an immediate impact as Lewis Hilliard netted Spalding's second goal less than two minutes after his arrival.

He collected possession on the far side of the area before slaloming his way through to goal and lifting his finish over the diving Davies with Keenan Ferguson's last-ditch attempt to keep the ball out of the net proving in vain.

Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462517)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462517)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462521)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462521)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462525)
Spalding United were 3-2 winners against Boston United. Photo: Chris Lowndes (61462525)

Boston further strengthened their ranks by sending on Scott Pollock and Jordan Crawford but Spalding continued to stand strong.

Duggan was down well to deny Ofosu before showing rapid reactions to keep out Starbuck's low drive at the back post.

While Boston enjoyed plenty of possession, Spalding carried a strong threat on the break and it needed a superb last-ditch challenge from Ferguson to deny Connor Peters on his Tulips debut.

Toby Hilliard went close with a header from Dan Bucciero's cross before Spalding scored their third goal with eight minutes remaining.

Lewis Hilliard was this time the provider as his raking pass sent Edge clear and he raced away before powering his finish past Davies.

It was to prove a crucial strike as there was still enough time for Boston to get another back with the goal of the game with two minutes left as Sam McLintock arrowed home a superb finish into the top corner of the home net from just outside the area.

It set up a grandstand finish but, despite Starbuck shooting over after cutting inside from the right, Spalding saw out the four minutes of stoppage time to add another memorable moment to what could potentially be an unforgettable season for the club.

Tulips: Duggan, Hart (Greenacre 83), Bucciero, Barker (Marshall 83), Stainfield, Cartwright, Jones (Peters 63), Broccoli (T Hilliard 63), Sandy (Edge 46), Clifton (L Hilliard 63), Draper (Moreman 46).

Pilgrims: Davies, Starbuck, Platt (Sheriff 86), Burrow (Crawford 63), Ferguson, Atkinson (Stevens 86), Solanke (Pollock 63), Mills (McLintock 46), Cummings (Mbeka 63), Lewis, Ofosu. Sub not used: Lovelace (GK).

Attendance: 413.



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