The first chance of the game fell to the Daniels two minutes in as Eliot Putman played the ball to Jake Duffy, who cut in from the wing but his curling effort was comfortably saved by Michael Duggan in the Spalding goal. Three minutes later and the home side had their first chance as former Daniels’ player Gary King played Luke White in on goal but he was denied by Danny Haystead. Five minutes later Reece Morris was denied by a superb save from Duggan after he ran through in on goal. From the resulting corner Joe Burgess’ looping header went just over. On the 22nd minute the Daniels had a deserved lead, Jake Duffy found Reece Morris with a clever pass, Reece’s cross found Sam Grouse whose header beat Duggan at the far post. The last chance of the half came five minutes before the end as Sam Grouse played the ball to Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson who curled over.
Five minutes after the break Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson had the first chance of the second half as he beat his man but he couldn’t beat Duggan. On the 64th minute Spalding levelled the game. A long ball out of defence beat Taron Hare leaving Luke White free to run in on goal before firing in across goal. Immediately after Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson had a chance to restore the Daniels’ advantage but his effort was an easy save for Duggan in the Spalding goal. With a quarter of an hour left to go a Jake Duffy free-kick found Jordan Smith whose header went just wide. Six minutes later and the Daniels had what would turn out to be the winner, a long Taron Hare throw-in fell to James Gillard whose shot was blocked but Jordan Smith was on hand to head in. A minute later and the Daniels should have made it three as a clever one two between Reece Morris and James Gillard saw the latter with just the last defender to beat, he did this but could only shoot wide with just the keeper to beat. In stoppage time Spalding had the last chance of the game as a long ball was flicked goalwards by George Zuerner but in the end it went just wide.
On the game manager Graham Drury commented that he was ‘really pleased to reach a final whilst still having 6 players missing and players playing out of position. I thought in the first half we passed the ball really well and the movement was sharp. Things still need sorting like set plays shape with and without the ball. It’s going to get down to an 18 man squad and to pick the first 16 man squad for Stocksbridge but of course it is nice being in this position as a manager not rather than not having enough players to choose from.’