The flying winger gave his verdict after tormenting the Spalding defence in Boston United's 2-0 Lincolnshire Senior Shield quarter-final win on Tuesday.

A Jon Rowan strike and an own goal from new Tulips full-back Richard Moore won it for the Pilgrims.

Tulips manager Alan Biley always said he would not hold too much sway by the outcome of their first competitive match of the season.

His side showed plenty of effort, but never seriously troubled the UniBond League Premier Division opponents.

Even on a balmy evening, Boston keeper Chris Wright did not break sweat, with next to nothing to do.

But Farrell (36) thinks Tulips fans will not be suffering another miserable season.

He said: "Obviously Spalding struggled last season, not winning a league game at home, but from what I've seen tonight they should be OK.

"They look to pass it about, which is a good thing.

"They have got some good footballers and I can see them improving on last year.

"I know Luke (McShane) and Kenners (Luke Kennedy) from my Peterborough days and they're both good lads."

And Farrell, who lives in Spalding, added: "I hope they do better this season."

The ex-pro admitted Boston could have been 3-0 up inside 20 minutes on Tuesday.

He tore down the left flank, regularly taking on Moore.

Debutante McShane had a nervy start but saved well from Ollie Ryan before seeing a Lee Beeson drive smack his left hand post.

Another effort was close to the line before being smuggled away, but Boston did take the lead on 29 minutes.

Rowan took a pass on the edge of the box and had time to pick a spot to sidefoot in.

Tulips striker Ricky Miller – small and pacy like last season's top scorer Ben Garrick – and Mark Angel tried hard, but found a defence in control, with Matt Bloomer outstanding.

Angel was orchestrating set pieces and a Dan Holyoak header from a corner was the closest the Tulips went.

A crowd of 405 – the vast majority from a club in the Football League only 14 months ago – had more decent fare in the second half.

Ineffectual striker Dave Atherton made way for Matty O'Neill and there was a bit more about the Tulips.

However, there was never a doubt that Boston would go on to win and they doubled the lead on the hour.

Beeson, having a super game on the right flank, sent in a cross which Moore diverted past McShane under pressure from Jon Froggatt.

Two minutes later Biley took the chance to see keeper Richard Roberts in match action and three smart saves – the best a point-blank stop from Beeson – will have done his starting chances no harm.

The Tulips then had their best spell and went close when David Hone, tiptoeing into the Pilgrims' box, stretched a leg out to get on the end of a Moore shot.

Spalding can be content with a 2-0 defeat to a neat team looking to bounce straight back up the non-league ladder.