Cornard United 2
Holbeach United 2
A Callum Davies double, including a late penalty, earned Holbeach United a deserved point at Cornard United on Saturday.
It was the start of a tough run of fixtures for the Tigers against those sides just above them in the play offs.
But they showed they belonged in that company as they matched their opponents on their own turf.
Davies (pictured) had given the Tigers the lead in the first half they dominated.
But Cornard struck back after an attempt at goal deflected wickedly off Will Barnes before they made it 2-1 through Jack Graham.
But with the final whistle approaching Harvey Henderson was fouled in the box and Davies made no mistake from the spot.
Manager Danny Clifton felt his side would have won had a deluge not drenched the pitch halfway through.
“We played really well and were in total control,” he said. “I thought it was only going to go one way and then the rain started.
“We had all the ball in the first half and created lots of chances.
“The rain started and the pitch became a quagmire.
“It was a real leveller and the game just became a scrappy battle really.
“They equalised through an unfortunate own goal and then got in front following a mistake by us.
“But we kept going and continued to push forward and create chances.
“We got the penalty and the point was the very least we deserved for the performance.
“It’s very pleasing to pick up a point as after dropping them against Whittlesey and Debenham we had to get them back.
“We’ve already got one back and we play Cornard at home soon, so win that an it’s four points back.”
Holbeach are seventh and just two points outside the play off places.
They host Downham Town on Saturday at Carter’s Park and Clifton thinks it could be their toughest challenge so far.
“I think they’re the strongest team we’ve played so far this season,” he said referencing a mid-week 1-0 defeat earlier in the season. “They’re only in fourth but have games in hand.
“When we played them earlier in the season we kept it close in the first but in the second half they were outstanding.
“We’re expecting it to be tough again, but we’re strong too.”
The Tulips hope to have Harvey Wirkowski back from injury while they’ve also brought striker Jack Smith back to the club.
Tigers: Rigby, Nicholson, Johnson, F Henderson, Oldham, Barnes, Millinson, Bilitz, Davies, Compton, Yamnasu. Subs: Robertson, H Henderson. Mansuta, Clifton.
