Spalding United beat Boston United in a pre-season friendly

Spalding United got their pre-season programme off to a winning start with victory over National League newcomers Boston United on Saturday.

The Tulips ran out 2-1 winners in their opening friendly at the Sir Halley Stadium in their first match since being crowned Northern Premier League Midlands Division champions last season.

A first half goal from Spalding's only trialist of the opening period had given the Tulips the advantage at the interval.

Boston hit back to equalise through Martin Woods before Sam Bennett's back post header gave Spalding the initiative again.

The Tulips had started the first half with seven members of last season's squad in their starting line-up along with new signings Josh Ezewele, Jonny Ngandu and Lewis White.

Ezewele and the impressive Ngandu linked well in the opening exchanges before Boston's Frankie Maguire flashed a shot just wide of the home goal.

Tulips goalkeeper Tony Breeden was then brought into action with an excellent save from Dan Mooney's well-struck shot.

Spalding's trialist striker then dragged a shot wide after lively burst before he broke the deadlock after 20 minutes.

A pass from Kieron Dawes released the trialist who slotted his finish past the advancing Cameron Gregory in the Pilgrims' goal.

Gregory then produced a flying save to keep out a shot from Ngandu before Breeden was equal to a low shot from Mooney after a rapid raid from Dylan Hill.

Mooney had another effort deflected wide after a well-worked Boston move before the Pilgrims came close to equalising on the stroke of half-time when Jacob Hazel hit the crossbar with an effort at the back post.

Both sides made changes at the break with Spalding introducing Glenn Walker, Sam Bennett, Tyler Winters and Callum Chettle.

Two of the replacements combined early in the second half with Walker's strong run and cross finding Bennett whose header brought a brilliant reflex save out of Boston's second half goalkeeper Jake Lovelace.

Ngandu curled a shot just wide after persistent play from Winters helped create the opening before Boston equalised in the 64th minute.

The Pilgrims were awarded a free-kick out wide on the right and Martin Woods whipped his shot into the far corner of the Spalding net past replacement goalkeeper Jake West who had only entered the fray moments earlier.

However, parity lasted just seven minutes before Spalding regained the lead as a cross from their second half trialist was headed home at the back post by the diving Bennett.

Winters went close to adding a third moments later as his shot went just wide of the far post after a smart turn and shot.

Attendance: 503.