The Bucks kick off a busy November at the SEAH Stadium on Saturday, 7th November, when they host Spalding United in one of four home matches scheduled for the month. Kevin Wilkin and his team will seek to extend an unbeaten run of four matches when the Tulips arrive in Shropshire, and maximum points for the Bucks would see them overtake the visitors, further consolidating in mid-table, but with an eye to using it as a springboard to go higher. The Bucks have won three of their last four matches and with back-to-back road wins at Hereford and Southport in the bag, stretching that to three wins on the spin is, naturally, the Bucks' aim. Doing so would be a fitting way to mark a milestone for Kevin Wilkin and his staff. The Spalding fixture marks Kevin's 200th competitive fixture as manager at the SEAH Stadium. Standing in his way will be a familiar face or two. Spalding boss Jimmy Dean was the architect of Peterborough Sports' rise to Step 2, earning him the manager's role at Scunthorpe United. When that came to and end, he was soon installed at Spalding and his track record of building attractive, competitive sides that challenge was enhanced further by Spalding's promotion last season. The Tulips are settling nicely at their new level and may feature former Buck Connor Johnson. Connor spent the 2017/18 season with us as a loan signing from Wolves. Everything is set for what promises to be an entertaining afternoon. It is also one where we will pay our respects to those who lost their lives in conflict, being the Bucks' designated Remembrance fixture.
Previous Meetings
The Bucks promotion back to Step 2 meant that the two teams spent last season apart; however, choosing the route taken by the Bucks a season before, the Tulips earned promotion by defeating Real Bedford 4-2 after extra time to win the Southern League Premier central division's playoff final. In the last season where the teams were league rivals, the Bucks had the better of things. They won 1-0 at Sir Halley Stewart Field in August 2024, thanks to a goal from Ricardo Dinanga, but the Tulips frustrated the Bucks in the return fixture, taking a point in a 1-1 draw. A memorable overhead kick from Matty Stenson put the Bucks ahead, only for Tulips' skipper Liam Moore to level matters in the second half.
Recent Form
The Tulips arrive in Shropshire in 11th position in the table, with a record of 6 wins, 3 draws and 5 defeats from their 14 matches played to date. They have scored 19 goals and conceded 15, for a goal difference of +4, ranking them 11th (out of 24) for goals scored and giving them the 6th-best defensive record. Spalding opened at Step 2 with an away win at Radcliffe on the opening day, one of a symmetrical record of 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats in August. The second of those wins, at home to Worksop Town, launched them onto their best run of the season to date, going five games without defeat, four wins and a draw. Top scorer Bartosz Cybulski was the spark for that run, scoring 9 goals across those 5 games and earning the Enterprise National League North's 'Player of the Month crown. Since then, results have been less consistent. Before last Saturday's 3-2 victory over Darlington, when they came from behind to win, their only victories came in the Emirates FA Cup qualifying rounds. That success came to a grinding halt when they were knocked out in the fourth qualifying round, defeated 4-0 after a replay by Step 3 side Alvechurch. Top Scorers: Bartosz Cybulski - 11 Dan Barton, Maniche Sani - 2 each Dan Jarvis, Sam Straughan-Brown - 1 each
Facing the Bucks
Goalkeepers Peter Crook and Jake Lovelace give Spalding United a blend of experience and promise in goal for 2026/27. Crook arrived from Peterborough Sports after 209 appearances across more than four seasons. An England C international with over 300 senior league appearances, he brings leadership and National League North experience. Lovelace, a local goalkeeper developed in Boston United’s academy, joined after an impressive spell with Skegness Town. Having made his senior debut at 17, he offers strong distribution, aerial command and composure. Defence Liam Moore anchors the defence as club captain, bringing Premier League and Championship pedigree alongside England Under-21 experience. The former Leicester City academy graduate is joined by Connor Johnson, who arrived after captaining Kettering Town. Johnson’s previous clubs include Wolverhampton Wanderers, Walsall and Kilmarnock, while his reunion with Jimmy Dean follows their time at Peterborough Sports. Michael Kelly also knows Dean from Scunthorpe United; the former Aberdeen and Leicester City youngster adds technical quality, leadership and set-piece delivery at left-back. On the opposite flank, former Burnley and Salford City academy player Tosin Olopade provides pace, athleticism and an attacking outlet. Younger options include 20-year-old centre-back Oliver Rose, whose aerial strength and composure offer competition, and Ashton Fox, a former Peterborough United academy player and England Schoolboys captain. Fox made his move from Peterborough Sports permanent after helping Spalding win promotion. Versatile left-sided defender Bradley Grant completes the group, having developed at Leicester City and Burnley, gained senior experience on loan at Marine and made his Spalding debut in March 2026. Midfield Alfie Bendle was retained after helping secure promotion, bringing EFL experience from AFC Wimbledon and Forest Green Rovers, plus control and set-piece quality. Tom Pugh made his loan from Halifax Town permanent in summer 2026 after playing a key role in the promotion push. The former Leeds United youngster and Wales Under-21 international previously worked with Dean at Scunthorpe. Dan Jarvis brings another established connection, having spent six seasons under Dean at Peterborough Sports. His energy and versatility complement Shane Byrne, a summer signing whose nearly 38,000 career minutes include spells at Brackley Town, Kidderminster Harriers and Boston United. Doncaster Rovers loanee Sam Straughan-Brown added a youthful option in August, arriving for a month with National League North experience gained at Peterborough Sports. Attack Jack Roberts leads a varied attack after recording 28 goals and 22 assists in Spalding’s promotion-winning season. The former Rangers youth player committed his future alongside retained forwards Bartosz Cybulski and Maniche Sani. Cybulski, signed from King’s Lynn Town, developed at Derby County, made his senior debut under Wayne Rooney and represented Poland at youth level. His aerial presence complements the power of former Benfica academy forward Sani, who previously played for Dean at Peterborough Sports. Yusifu Ceesay adds pace and direct running following spells with Blackpool, Altrincham and Kidderminster Harriers, while Ben Fowkes arrived from Leiston for an undisclosed fee, bringing proven goalscoring ability and versatility. Further depth comes from Zaid Betteka, Dan Barton, Rohan Vaughan, Dion Sembie-Ferris, Ejiro Abbey and Joseph Nyahwema. Their backgrounds span Birmingham City, Cambridge United, Harrogate Town, Peterborough Sports, Peterborough United and King’s Lynn Town respectively. Together, they broaden the Tulips’ attacking options for the National League North campaign, adding a mix of EFL pedigree, international youth experience, successful loan spells and established non-league quality.
Officials
Referee: Grace Lowe. Assistant Referee: Mitchell Cartwright. Assistant Referee: Alexander Perkin. Fourth Official: Callum Johnson.
Colours
Bucks: Shirt: White Shorts: White Socks: White Tulips: Shirt: Blue Shorts: Blue Socks: Blue
How To Follow The Bucks (if you can't be there, of course!)
If you can’t be at the game, you can follow the events in several ways. The Live Game Centre on our smartphone app and website will have live text updates. Our X feed will also carry text commentary, while our Facebook and Instagram feeds will provide updates on major events, such as team news, goals, the half-time and full-time scores. If you have the app, you’ll receive notifications of every goal, plus half-time and full-time scores. Finally, BBC Radio Shropshire will provide live match commentary on DAB and on the Sounds app. With plenty of options, you can follow the Bucks even when you can’t be there.