Reaction from Spalding United manager Elliot Sandy after their victory over Boston United

Manager Elliot Sandy was full of praise for his Spalding United squad after ringing the changes for their Lincolnshire Senior Cup semi-final success over Boston United on Tuesday night.

The Tulips boss made seven changes to his starting line-up following the weekend win over Gresley Rovers in the Northern Premier League.

But the players stepped up to the mark to overcome a youthful Boston side in the semi-final clash at the Sir Halley Stewart ground.

Sandy said: "It was the sort of game that we're not used to in our league.

"Even though Boston had a lot of young lads in, they train every day and play total football as such.

"They are very sharp, good footballers and I think it took us a while to get to grips with them.

"Obviously we made a lot of changes as well which doesn't help but, at times, our shape was fantastic.

"We were organised and, although they popped it around, they didn't really cut us open or create too much. We defended the box well.

"We tried a few things and some players got good minutes so, all in all, it was a good work-out for the whole squad.

"I said afterwards that I was proud of the whole squad because it is hard sometimes when you haven't had a lot of game-time and you're thrown into matches like this. You have to perform and we did that."

Tyler Winters gave Spalding an early lead before two goals in the last nine minutes from James Clifton and Dan Sweeney secured Spalding's place in the final.

It is the second successive season that Spalding have reached the final of the county showpiece.

They were beaten in the final last year by Grantham Town with Sandy seeking an improved showing when they take on either Cleethorpes Town or Scunthorpe United who play their semi-final at the end of the month.

The Spalding boss added: "I am someone who wants to win every game.

"We had a defeat in the final last season which was really disappointing but we're going to look forward to it and enjoy the night.

"Hopefully we can give a better account of ourselves than last time. I was part of the side that played last time and I was obviously manager as well and I don't think we did ourselves justice."

Spalding return to league action on Saturday with a home match with Lye Town.