The first National League North game in Spalding United's history takes them to Greater Manchester
Newly-promoted Spalding United will travel to Radcliffe for the first National League North game in the club’s history on Saturday, August 8.
The first home game follows against Oxford City on Saturday, August 15, and then ‘The Tulips’ host Macclesfield Town on Tuesday, August 18.
Manchester-based Radcliffe finished 13th in National League North last season. Oxford City finished 17th and Macclesfield were fourth.
Spalding, who have signed former Scunthorpe United and Boston United defender Michael Kelly, have been given a long and tough trip to South Shields on Bank Holiday Monday, August 31. They also face a long-haul midweek trip to Scarborough in November
Spalding visit King's Lynn on Boxing Day before hosting ‘The LInnets’ on Easter Monday (March 29). They finish their season with a home game against Morecambe on Saturday, April 24.
Fixtures
August: 8 Radcliffe (A), 15 Oxford City (H), 18 Macclesfield (H), 22 Chester (A), 29 Worksop (H), 31 South Shields (A).
September: 5 Southport (H), 8 Spennymoor (A), 12 Bedford Town (H)
26 Chorley (A)
October: 3 Marine (A), 17 Hebburn Town (H), 24 Hednesford Town (A), 27 Brackley Town (H), 31 Darlington (H)
November: 7 AFC Telford United (A), 21 Merthyr Town (H), 24 Scarborough Athletic (A), 28 Morecambe (A)
December: 5 Buxton (H), 8 Radcliffe (H), 19 Oxford City (A), 26 King's Lynn Town (A), 28 Harborough Town (H)
January: 2 Hereford (H), 9 Hebburn Town (A), 16 Bedford Town (A), 23 Chorley (H), 26 Scarborough Athletic (H), 30 Merthyr Town (A)
February: 6 AFC Telford United (H), 13 Darlington (A), 16 Brackley Town (A), 20 Hednesford Town (H), 23 Spennymoor Town (H), 27 Worksop Town (A)
March: 6 Chester (H), 9 Macclesfield (A), 13 Southport (A), 20 South Shields (H), 26 Harborough Town (A), 29 King's Lynn Town (H)
April: 3 Hereford (A), 10 Marine (H), 17 Buxton (A), 24 Morecambe (H).
Friendlies
New-look Peterborough Sports started their pre-season programme with a 3-0 win at Stamford-based Blackstones last weekend. The city side are preparing for life in Southern Premier Division Central in the 2026-27 season after four years at National League level.
New manager Graham Drury has introduced several new players to his squad and two of them, Jack Duffy and Jordan Cooke, scored on debut at Stones. Luca Miller also netted with all three goals arriving in the second-half. Sports were due to play at a second United Counties League club, Sleaford Town on Tuesday. See www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk for midweek match updates and Saturday fixtures.
Spalding United have effectively taken Sports’ place in tier two football. They continued their warm-up for competitive action with a 3-1 friendly home win over Boston Town. Yusifu Ceesay, Jack Roberts and Ben Fowkes scored for ‘The Tulips.’ Spalding have won both pre-season games so far, but face a tough task to clinch a hat-trick as National League side Scunthorpe United visit the Sir Halley Stewart Field next Saturday (July 18).
Vitor Vaz scored and was sent off as FC Peterborough went down 3-1 at home to higher level Bourne Town, while Kyial West and Charlie Wright scored as Netherton United went down 3-2 at home to Downham Town.
Yaxley drew 2-2 at home to Potton, but Stamford AFC postponed their game at Newark Town because of squad injury issues. ‘The Daniels’ are due to host AFC Rushden & Diamonds next Saturday.
Cup draws
Last season’s losing Peterborough & District League Senior Cup finalists Oakham United will host Crowland Town in the first round of the 2026-27 competition. Last season’s winners Netherton United are longer playing at Peterborough League level.
Senior Cup: Eye Rangers v Uppingham, FC Peterborough Res v Sawtry, Long Sutton Ath v Whaplode Drove, Moulton Harrox v Whittlesey Athletic Res, Oakham Utd v Crowland, Stamford AFC Res v Leverington Res, Warboys v Deeping Rangers Res, Youth Dreams Project v Ramsey.
Challenge Cup: Bourne Res v King’s Cliffe, Crowland Res v Stanground Cardea Sports, FC Parson Drove Res v Yaxley Res, Hampton Utd v NXT Gen, Langtoft v Stamford Bels, Oakham Res v Oundle Town, Thorney v Long Sutton Res, Thorpe Wood Rangers v Ketton Sports Prem, Tydd v Sutton Bridge Utd, Wittering v Park Farm,
Junior Cup: Glinton & Northborough Res v Thurlby, ICA Sports Res v Deeping Utd, Farcet v Moulton Chapel, Langtoft Res v Ketton Sports Dev.