Eastwood 4 Holbeach United 1
Disappointed Danny Clifton rued a crazy ten-minute period as his Holbeach United side were beaten 4-1 at Eastwood on Saturday.
Doubles from Ben Henderson (6 and 70) and Nathan Kelly (64 and 73) gave Eastwood all three points, with Holbeach – who replied through Josh Hales – still without a win in all competitions this season.
But that only tells half of the story as far as Holbeach are concerned, with Hales having a goal controversially ruled out just past the hour.
Seconds later Jack Eldridge was yellow carded and sin-binned at the same time, despite rules saying both punishments can’t be incurred together.
From the resultant free-kick, Kelly scored Eastwood’s second – and two more goals followed during the sin bin period.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for a youthful Holbeach side, who had no players older than 22 in their squad on the day.
“I have no complaints about the performance,” said Clifton, whose side are ten points adrift from safety. “I thought we played some brilliant football.
“We competed well and, but for a crazy ten-minute period, I think we’d have taken something from the game.
“To go from potentially 1-1, to 2-0 down with a player in the sin bin within about a minute was tough to take. I have no problem with the referee and his assistants, they have a tough job.
“After speaking to them after the game, it appears they made a mistake as regards the rules with yellow cards and sin bins.
“They’ve apologised, but the fact is that it had a big impact on the result.
“I’ve always laughed at the saying ‘you get no luck when you’re at the bottom’ – but perhaps there is something in it.
“I can’t be too downbeat. We had nine debutants on the day and they showed great energy.
“Josh Hales and Lewis Baughan, in particular, were a massive threat going forward.”
Tigers: Blake, Wilson (Chaudhari), Nuttell, Baker, Bedar, Dalliday, Dougill, Hallaci, Baughan (Warrington), Eldridge (Carter), Hales. Not used: B Clifton.
Attendance: 80.
