Holbeach United 2
Wellingborough Town 1
A last-gasp 30-yard screamer from wing wizard Billy Smith earned Holbeach United a 2-1 victory over Wellingborough Town in Danny Hussey’s first game as manager on Saturday.
After a goalless first half at Carter’s Park, James Lea (46) fired the visitors into a 1-0 lead as they looked set to frustrate the Tigers.
But Smith levelled when he turned home a cross, before waiting until the final minute to clinch the points with a sensational long-range effort.
It was a fitting way to win any game, with new boss Hussey delighted to register his first three points in the Holbeach hot-seat.
He said: “It was certainly an entertaining first game for me in the dugout. I don’t mean that the game was particularly high in quality, but you couldn’t have asked for a more dramatic way to win.
“I’ll certainly always remember that winning goal and the celebrations that followed!
“If I’m honest, I don’t know that I could say we 100 per cent deserved to win the game.
“A draw would perhaps have been fair on the day, but I’m certainly not complaining.
“I think both sides rode their luck a little bit and both had chances.
“From my point of view, I’m still learning about this league and all of the teams in it.
“I understand that Wellingborough have been on a good run as of late, so it’s great to beat them.
“Personally, I really enjoyed the game and the extra responsibility that comes with being a manager.
“As a number two, I often had ideas that weren’t always implemented – which is how it works.
“On Saturday I made the decision to change things at half-time, as things weren’t really working.
“We obviously went behind straight away after half-time, but in the end the lads did exactly what I asked them to do and we got the three points.
“It’s obviously going to be a big learning curve for me over the next few weeks, but I’m really happy to start the job with a win.”
The victory saw Holbeach stay in fifth place in the Future Lions UCL Premier Division, but they closed the gap on fourth-placed Pinchbeck United to just two points.
The Tigers now move on to a Lincs FA Senior Trophy semi-final with Deeping Rangers at Carter’s Park on Wednesday night (7.45pm).
Tigers: Drury, Whyatt, Clay, Braithwaite, T Smith, Jackson, Tinkler, Hamilton (Ford), Bird, Tricks (Fieldhouse), B Smith. Not used: Kirk, Clarke.
Attendance: 94.
