Holbeach United 2
Blackstones 0
Jake Duffy’s delightful first-half double ensured that Holbeach United made a winning start to their FA Vase campaign on Saturday.
The midfielder scored with classy finishes on 36 and 44 minutes at Carter’s Park, but in truth they were the only memorable moments of an otherwise low-key clash.
Neither side were helped by the wet conditions, with heavy rain prior to kick-off actually putting the game in jeopardy at one stage.
But the result was the only thing that mattered for the Tigers – something co-boss John Chand was keen to emphasise.
He said: “I think it was simply ‘job done’ today, nothing more. We’re into the next round, but it wasn’t really an inspiring performance. I’d say it was a forgettable game, actually.
“I thought we lacked tempo and fluency. But you can’t argue with a 2-0 win a clean sheet I suppose.
“To be honest, I don’t think the officials helped either side. They just didn’t let us play football.
“But I have to say, Jake Duffy is a class act. He got two great goals today and looked the bright spark on a dull day.
“We now dust ourselves down and look forward to a derby with Boston Town on Wednesday.”
Holbeach – who have gone on record as saying they want to win the FA Vase – started the game in very lively fashion when Jamie Clarke rattled the bar with an angled left-footed drive inside the opening few minutes.
But Blackstones, mid-table in UCL Division One, refused to sit back and defend. They went close when Adam Scotcher’s free kick just cleared the bar, then Michael Wozniak rifled an effort from the right-hand side into the side netting.
The Tigers did warm to their task eventually, with defender Danny Spencer going within a whisker of the opener when he half-volleyed Duffy’s corner wide at the far post.
Nick Conroy was then forced into action when Wozniak fired a testing drive on target from distance. It bounced just infront of the keeper on a wet surface, so he did well to smother the ball at the second attempt.
The game then suffered from a period of overly fussy refereeing, with the official needlessly booking Clarke, Tommy Treacher and Danny Steadman in quick succession. He went on to take the names of Jamie Stevens and Craig Parker before the final whistle – in a game that was by no means dirty.
Holbeach created plenty of chances from then on, with Treacher firing the best of them over after Steadman had forced a low save from the visiting keeper.
Ash Fuller then worked the Stones’ stopper with a stinging drive after cutting inside his man on the right, while Treacher also forced a top stop with an angled drive from the left.
There was no stopping the opener when it arrived, though. After a spell of sustained pressure, Jonny Allen pulled the ball back for Duffy to curl a cultured – and powerful – drive into the far top corner from the edge of the box.
It was a stunning strike from the midfielder – and had co-bosses Chand and Graham Drury waxing lyrical on the sideline.
Duffy’s second goal eight minutes was from a similar position, if not quite as eye-catching. It was still a classy finish from the ex-Oadby Town ace, who half-volleyed into the net from just outside the box.
That put the Tigers in a commanding position for the second half, but in truth they struggled to get out of second gear after the break.
Skipper Stevens did have a decent chance from a Duffy corner, but he couldn’t get the flight of the ball right and it seemed to hit him on the chest.
Fuller also had a sight of goal following a neat one-two with Clarke, but his drive comfortably missed at the near post.
At the other end, Conroy had to be at his very best to somehow save Lewis Watson’s curling free kick. It was a flying stop from the veteran keeper, who clawed the ball away superbly.
The best chance the Tigers had to wrap-up their victory was when Clarke saw a strike saved a point-blank range when he found himself through on goal, but it was Stones who looked the more likely in the closing stages.
The Stamford side bombarded the Tigers with dangerous-looking corners, but failed to fashion a real chance before time ran out.
Victory was worth £600 to Holbeach, but they’ll need to improve against stronger opposition if they are to have the run they desire in this year’s Vase.
They now turn their attention to a Lincs Senior Trophy clash with Boston Town on Wednesday night (7.45pm). The Carter’s Park clash is an area semi-final.
Tigers: Conroy, Allen, Gibson, Steadman, Spencer (Pinner 60), Stevens, C Parker, Duffy, Treacher (Dube 46), Clarke, Fuller (King 60). Not used: Delahoy, Lovelace.
FA Vase (selected): Bedford FC 0 AFC Kempston Rovers 3; Great Yarmouth Town 1 Boston Town 0; Holbeach United 2 Blackstones 0; Holmer Green 2 Desborough Town 1; Long Buckby AFC 0 Oxhey Jets 0; Newport Pagnell Town 0 Berkhamstead 3; Oadby Town 2 Retford United 0; Peterborough Northern Star 6 Team Bury 0; Thurnby Nirvana 8 Harrowby United 4; Yaxley 2 Sleaford Town 1.
UCL Premier Division: AFC Rushden & Diamonds 8 Northampton Sileby 1; Harborough Town 1 Deeping Rangers 8; Huntingdon Town 1 Cogenhoe United 0.
