Holbeach United 2
Cogenhoe United 2
A debut goal from Declan Rogers helped ten-man Holbeach United rescue a 2-2 draw with Cogenhoe United on Saturday as they ended a run of two successive defeats.
Striker Rogers – who was playing for free after signing on dual forms with AFC Rushden and Diamonds late on Friday – lobbed home ten minutes from time.
Thomas Iaciofano had earlier given Cogenhoe a 43rd-minute lead in the Future Lions UCL Premier Division clash, then Ryan Dove doubled the advantage from the penalty spot on the hour after he was fouled by Joe Braithwaite. The Tigers defender was sent off for the tackle.
However, Seb Hayes’ side hit back 17 minutes from time when Josh Ford buried a penalty, before Rogers levelled at Carter’s Park.
Both sides had late chances to take all three points, including Ford hitting the bar and Ricky Drury making a one-on-one save.
“On reflection, I have to be happy with a draw,” said Tigers boss Hayes. “At 2-0 down and with ten men, I suppose you’d always take a draw too.
“A draw also stops our losing run, but I look at the game and see that we had the better chances and feel we could have won.
“They went quite negative at 2-0 up, so we just decided to go for it – and it paid off.
“I don’t know what it is, we just seem to perform better with ten men. Some of the lads even joked that we should start with ten!
“We’re not defending well enough as a team at the moment.
“But what I am happy with the squad we’ve got and the desire they are showing. We’re training very well and we’re certainly fit enough.
“It’s just not being replicated in games at the moment. I can question our attitude at the moment, but nothing else.”
Tigers: Drury, Harker, Clay, Braithwaite, Cartwright, Jackson, Tinkler, Bird, B Smith, Rogers, Ford. Subs used: Barker, J Smith and T Smith. Not used: Whyatt, Avis.
Attendance: 66.
