Spalding United F.C.

BRAVE TULIPS LOSE TO RAUNDS
On Bank Holiday Monday, the Tulips were unluckly not to get a point out of their encounter with Raunds. The first team has lost some seven players through injury or suspension. The game started with total domination from Raunds and they were soon 2 - 0 up through a clumsy strike and a debatable penalty. The Tulips pulled one back however and went into the second half looking like a better side. The third goal from Raunds was a great set piece from a corner, which was emulated by Spalding's second (too late) consolation goal which was neatly headed home by Steve Williams. The final score, 2 - 3 to Raunds.

WEBSITE NEEDS MATCH REPORTS

I'm looking for someone to provide the website with match reports. Could this be you? If you attend matches, and don't mind writing a small amount about the game, please contact me (via em@il). I can't get to all matches, and it would really good if someone could help out in that way!!

TULIPS HAVE GREAT START IN THE DOC MARTENS

The first match of the season has ended in victory for Spalding United. The Tulips emphatically beat St. Leonards FC at the Halley Stewart Field by 4 goals to 1. The match was fairly even handed, but the major difference between the two teams was the amount of chances that Spalding created. The fans were delighted when Darren Cundy put the Tulips ahead after 5 minutes, in a manouvre that was replicated almost entirely for Simon Mead's 56th minute goal in the second half. The other two goals came courtesey of Mead's head from corner kicks in the 42nd and 67th minutes. A mention should also go to Dominic Revill, whose shot in the first half ricocheted off the crossbar. Mark Wilson, a new signing, had very little to do in goal - All credit to Spalding's defence which was firing on all cylinders this afternoon! St. Leonard's goal came in the 26th minute, and was a screaming shot from around 25 yards out, which Wilson had little chance of saving. St. Leonards were unlucky however not to have been awarded a penalty in the last few minutes of the match. All in all, the match was something of a fairy tale start for the Tulips in their Southern League Campaign.

New Season Ticket Offers Revealed: Season Ticket : adult Ł100. Pensioner/under 16 Ł75. Includes entry to the ground for all Dr Martens League fixtures and complimentary match programme. Note that this does not include entry for cup games. Season Tickets paid for by 23rd July include entry to pre-season friendly games. Please note this ticket does not include entry for cup games.

Munton and Rowbottom leave: Darren Munton and Martin Rowbottom have both left Spalding United. Martin Rowbottom is emigrating to New Zealand, while Darren is to be player-manager of Cottesmore.

St. Leonards in Opening Day Fixture: The Tulip's opposition for the first match of the new season is to be St. Leonards, a Hasting's based team (Their ground is situated 6 metres from Hasting's Ground). The match will be on Saturday August 14th, at the Halley Stewart Fiel in Spalding and kick off will be at 3pm. The team really appreciate a good crowd atmosphere, and so please come and watch if you can. Here's hoping the Tulip's have a good start to the 1999/2000 campaign.

Somerfield to sponsor MOTM: It has also been announced that Somerfield Stores Ltd. will be sponsoring a Man of the Match Competition at every home game this season. Any winners will be presented with a bottle of champagne by Spalding's Somerfield manager, Carl Hird. The Spalding Somerfield is situated next door to the Halley Stewart Field, and their car park has often been the recipient of wayward balls from matches!

Tulips Announce New Sponsors: Spalding United have announced their new sponsors for the 1999/2000. The new sponsor will be Spalding based company, Geest. Geest are a multinational fruit and veg importer, who are now also one of the UK's premium prepared salad manafacturers. The new sponsor for the Under 18s will be Fesa UK.

FA Announces opponents for Trophy and Cup: Spalding United will be facing Doc Marten's Midland and West Division Sides, Rocester and Shepshed Dynamo in the FA Trophy and Cup respectively. Last season Spalding met Rocester in the FA Vase and were victorious 5 - 2. Rocester have also been promoted into the Doc Marten's League this season, from the Interlink Express Alliance League, and so it will be interesting to see how they fare against one another this season.

Hinchingbrooke Finalists meet again: Having beaten Barton Rovers in the final of the Hinchingbrooke Cup in the 1998/99 season, Spalding have been drawn to play them again in this years competition, but this time in the first round!! The draw has generally gone in Spalding's favour though, as all our games would be played at home, if we get further than the first round. Last year, the final went the Tulips' way winning 2 - 1 at St. Neots, with Barton Rovers scoring their consolation goal in the 95th minute.

Kings Lynn in the First Round of the Doc Martens Cup: Spalding have drawn Doc Martens Premier League side Kings Lynn the first round of the Doc Martens league Cup. This will be an extra local derby for the Tulips this season.