Boss Darren Jarvis reckons Holbeach United will look back on Saturday’s entertaining 3-2 win over Oadby Town as a big three points in their bid for ChromaSport UCL Premier Division glory.
Strikers Tommy Treacher, Andrew Tidswell and Josh Ford were all on target at Carter’s Park as the Tigers twice came from behind to bag a third win on the spin.
In an incredibly eventful clash, Holbeach fell behind when ex-Leicester CIty ace Jon Stevenson notched on 13 minutes.
A goalkeeping error from Ethan Somaiya allowed Treacher to level the scores in bizarre fashion on 19 minutes, but Oadby went back ahead before the break when Stevenson doubled his money on the half hour.
Player/coach Tidswell scored a super solo goal on 52 minutes to haul Holbeach level again, only for the hosts to then see Treacher sent off (58) for violent conduct.
It was soon ten aside, though, with Oadby seeing Joseph Latham dismissed for two yellow cards with 20 minutes to go.
It took just three minutes for the Tigers to get their winner, with Ford jumping off the bench to both win and convert a penalty after being fouled by keeper Somaiya.
Both Jordan Thomas and Ollie Gale came on as second-half subs for the Tigers having completed transfers from Harrowby United and Wisbech Town respectively, while Nick Jackson – another new recruit – was handed a start.
The win moves Holbeach up to third in the table, level on points with top two Kirby Muxloe and Leicester Nirvana.
A delighted Jarvis said: “It was very eventful! We weren’t at our best, but I reckon we’ll eventually look back on this as a really big three points.
“Make no mistake, Oadby are a very good side. They’ve got talent all over the field.
“Beating them is a very important moment for us.
“I was disappointed with Tommy’s red card, I felt the referee could have handled it a little differently. Yes, Tommy has touched the player’s neck.
“But that’s all it was, handbags. Tommy had just been clattered on the head.
“Moments earlier he booked two players for an almost identical incident, so I was hoping he’d be consistent and book Tommy.
“I guess that’s football today – if you raise your hands, you are running the risk of a red card.
“I encourage my teams to be passionate and protect themselves. That comes with a risk, but I’ll never criticise a player for getting sent off like that. We’ve got a deep squad and can handle the odd suspension.
“I’ll certainly not be asking Tommy or anyone to change their ways.”
Tigers: Drury, Worthington, Ward, Clay, Warfield (Gale 65), Jackson, King, Tidswell, Clitheroe (Thomas 71), Gosling (Ford 60), Treacher. Not used: Maltby, Cartwright.
