TIGERS: Lethal Holbeach pair shoot down Cuckoos
Deeping move: Ash Stevens
YAXLEY 1 (Bettinson 1) HOLBEACH UNITED 2 (A Stevens 28, Tidswell 37): RED-HOT strike duo Ashley Stevens and Andrew Tidswell fired Holbeach to scrappy Leading Drove success on Saturday.
Having fallen behind inside 60 seconds, it looked like the Tigers’ poor recent form against Yaxley was going to continue.
But Stevens soon levelled, setting the stage for Tidswell to mark his return from a trial at professional Finnish outfit SJK with a trademark 35-yard free kick winner.
The lethal pairing now have a remarkable 48 goals between them, 24 each, as Holbeach tightened their grip on third place in the UCL Premier Division.
Boss John Chand said: “We didn’t really play very well, which seems to always happen against Yaxley. Leigh Overton has made an uncharacteristic error for their goal, but we came back well – even if we did miss a lot of chances.
“We got the three points though, which is all you can do. Last season we might not have won this game.”
Chand’s side couldn’t have made a worse start, with Overton gift-wrapping an early opener for Yaxley hitman Sam Bettinson.
Holbeach responded in typical fashion though, with Stevens rattling the post minutes before netting the equaliser from Tidswell’s corner.
Overton redeemed himself with a smart stop from Luke Hipwell, before Stevens blazed over at the other end following another Tidswell cross.
The Tigers did get themselves ahead at the interval, with dead-ball expert Tidswell firing home another set piece from ample distance.
Both strikers could have added to their tallies after the break, before a late barrage from the Cuckoos saw Overton deny Richard Challinor and Firas Zamir shoot wide.
Next up for Holbeach is Wednesday night’s rearranged Lincs FA Senior Trophy semi-final at Bourne Town (7.45pm).
On-loan Lincoln City striker James Wilson is cup tied, but Ollie Ryan could be available.
Matt Warfield and Paul Goodhand are pushing for starts, while Tommy Treacher is struggling with a knock.
Tigers: Overton, Allen, Jackson, Brown, J Stevens, Flack, Lewis, Kennedy (Goodhand 61), Wilson (Griffiths 61), Tidswell, A Stevens (Treacher 75). Not used: Warfield, Elston.
• Sat: Tigers v Sleaford (3pm).
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Friday 25 May 2012
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Comments
There are 2 comments to this article
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Footy manager
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 04:16 PMI agree Ex Holbeach boy it was a bit nervy at the end but really should have been out of sight by then. Some good defending again. The ref was very brave not to give in to their abuse as he could have easily sent a couple off for their foul language.Well done referee.Good win though against a tough side who tried to spoil the game with their tactics.
Ex-Holbeach Boy
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 01:59 PMIt was a good performance, but a little nervy at the end and the Tigers didn't resort to the fouling tactics of Yaxley.
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