"Bucks looking to continue growing into the season against the Tulips"

Match Date : August 24th, 2024 3:00 pm
Competition : Southern League Premier Central
Ground : Sir Halley Stewart Field
Kick Off : 15:00

The Bucks are back on the road next weekend, when Kevin Wilkin takes his men to Spalding in search of a first away win of the season.

The Tulips won the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands last year, winning 10 and drawing one of their last 11 games to pip Anstey Nomads by a single point (Anstey notching nine wins and two draws in the same time). Notably, Spalding finished as both the league’s best attack and best defence, racking up 98 goals in 38 matches while conceding just 33.

The man in charge at the Sir Halley Stewart Field is Elliot Sandy. The former forward first took interim charge of the Tulips in March 2023 after the departure of Brett Whaley. Sandy proceeded to lead United to the final of the Northern Premier League Midlands Division play-off where they were beaten in extra-time by Halesowen Town, but that was enough for him to be given the manager’s job on a full time basis.

Sandy has retained the majority of his promotion winning squad, while adding a handful of signings who bring plenty of Step 2 and 3 experience. Full back Josh Ezewele arrives from Halesowen, midfielders Callum Chettle and Jonny Ngandu join from Stamford and Darlington respectively, while defender Lewis White and forward Tyrone Lewthwaite both arrive from Kettering.

The Lincolnshire side continued their title-winning momentum with a 1-0 opening day win over fellow new boys Bedford, although a 4-0 thumping at Kettering on Tuesday may have since burst the Tulips’ bubble.

We last made the trip to Spalding in our very first campaign as AFC Telford United in 2004/05. That year the two sides played out a goalless draw at the News Bucks Head, with Bernard McNally’s side running out 2-1 winners in Lincolnshire, before the Bucks went on to win the Northern Premier League Division One playoffs that season. The Bucks travel to Sir Halley Stewart Field in slightly different circumstances this time around, with Kevin Wilkin’s men still looking to really kickstart their campaign. The Bucks had the division’s best away record last season, though, and a first win on the road for this campaign would help the Bucks shoot back up the early season table.

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Ticket prices: Adults £12 | Concessions £7 | U18 £4 | U11 Free

Website: www.spaldingunited.net

Ground Address: Sir Halley Stewart Field, Winfrey Avenue, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 1DA