Holbeach United 2
Leicester Nirvana 3
Upbeat Danny Clifton felt Holbeach United produced the best performance of his reign in Saturday’s narrow 3-2 defeat against Leicester Nirvana.
Although the Tigers edged closer to relegation with their 25th defeat in 28 Uhlsport UCL Premier Division North games so far, boss Clifton felt his side would have won the game if it had last ten more minutes.
They had been 3-0 down and looking at another heavy defeat after goals from Deen Master (2) and Rheiss Mclean put Nirvana in command at Carter’s Park.
But Holbeach’s young side refused to let their heads drop and Lewis Baughan (55) pulled one back with another fantastic finish.
His striker partner, young Slovakian Viliam Radic, then marked his first start with a goal (65) as the hosts rallied.
George Warrington then hit the bar as the Tigers pushed for more, but they were unable to find a leveller.
Clifton was very happy with what he saw from his young side, which contained just three players aged 20 or above this week.
But he did admit that a ten-minute period after half-time cost his team dear and bemoaned a penalty decision that ended up being crucial.
He said: “That was definitely the best performance I’ve seen from the team in my time as boss.
“For 80 minutes of the 90, we did very well. I’m not saying that we were the better team, but we matched them for long periods and looked a real threat.
“I feel like we’d have won the game if we had ten more minutes. They were playing for time in the last ten minutes and we looked very dangerous.
“The penalty they had in the first half was three of four yards outside of the box – I’m not sure how the officals gave it. I spoke to the player afterwards and he couldn’t believe that he got away with it either – he basically felt contact and waited until he got into the box before hitting the deck.
“We also gave a goal away from a huge mistake about 30 seconds into the second half. But these young lads don’t let their head drop and they showed me who they are after that.
“I though Sam Harris put in a great performance in defence again, while Ethan Camfield didn’t let himself be bullied in midfield – and, by the end, it was him who was doing the bullying.
“The strike force of Lewis Baughan and Viliam Radic was thrown together just before the game but they caused so many problems with the pace and directness.
“I was very encouraged.”
Tigers: Blake, Chester, Harris, Nuttell, Chaudhari, Dalliday, Gow, Warrington, Camfield, Baughan, Radic. Subs used: Carter, Wilson. Not used Berezowski, Catt.
Attendance: 65.
