Wellingborough Town 2
Holbeach United 1
Tom Roberts has launched a scathing attack on his Holbeach United players after Tuesday night’s shock 2-1 defeat at lowly Wellingborough Town.
A last-gasp winner from Justin Dowling (86) dealt a hammer-blow to the Tigers’ hopes of winning the ChromaSport UCL Premier Division title at The Dog and Duck as they failed to make up ground on the top three.
An early Deven Ellwood goal (10) had put the Doughboys ahead, only for frontman Jake Clitheroe (30) to haul Holbeach level before half time.
Player/boss Roberts, who again had to play in goal, watched on in amazement as his side missed chance after chance against a home side that began the night in the bottom two.
And, having hauled themselves back into the title frame on Saturday, Roberts couldn’t hide his anger at what he called a “naive and unacceptable” performance.
“We’re such a naive team,” barked the Tigers boss. “When one door opens for us we slam it shut again.
“We went behind to a dubious goal, but it shouldn’t take that to wake us up.
“The amount of chances we missed – and simple ones at that – was unacceptable.
“The problem we have here is that not enough of the players know how to win trophies. Only a few of the lads, Jamie Stevens, Andrew Tidswell and Matt Warfield, know what it takes to do that.
“This defeat is so annoying, we had a chance to get ourselves back in the mix.
“The lads that didn’t travel also need to have a look at themselves too. We had to beg and borrow players to get a team together. That shouldn’t be happening.
“Credit to Wellingborough, they played well and look a better side than their position suggests. But poor decision making and game management cost us.”
With eight regulars not making the trip to Wellingborough, Holbeach were indebted to Pinchbeck United for allowing them to field defender Ash Murrell and striker Tony Edwards, while their player/boss Ian Dunn helped out on the sideline.
Spalding United’s Adam Jackson also played at left back, with the Tigers struggling to raise a side.
Roberts expects to have the majority of his regular players back in the squad at Cogenhoe United on Saturday (3pm) – but has vowed to make changes.
He added: “Some of my players are too comfortable in their shirt, it’s obvious I need to ring the changes.
“The lads need to take responsibility out on the pitch.”
Holbeach also host Boston Town in the UCL KO Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday (7.45pm), with Wisbech Town awaiting in the last four.
Tigers: Roberts, Worthington, A Jackson, Stevens, Murrell, Eyett (Newcombe), Warfield, Dougill, Edwards, J Ford, Clitheroe. Not used: Deykin, Russon, L Ford.
