Incoming boss Seb Hayes watched on as Holbeach United dramatically beat Rothwell Corinthians 2-1 in the ChromaSport UCL Premier Division on Saturday, while Spalding United ended their winless streak in Evo-Stik NPL Division One South with a 3-0 win at Loughborough Dynamo.
Starting with Holbeach, Josh Ford bagged a brace – including a stoppage-time penalty winner – to clinch a dramatic victory at Carter’s Park.
But that only tells half of the story, with the Tigers forced to play for over 30 minutes with ten men after Ollie Pinner was sent off for a professional foul.
Ford gave Holbeach the lead on 19 minutes, lashing home following a Jake Walton cross and a very unselfish Tommy Treacher lay-off.
But things took a turn for the worse on 55 minutes when Pinner pulled Mapeo Mendes down in the box to concede a penalty and be sent off. Callum Plowright duly dispatched the spot-kick and the game flipped on its head.
Ricky Drury was forced to make three big saves before drama struck four minutes into added time when Treacher was taken out by Rothwell keeper Liam Waddy – who was also sent off – for a penalty at the other end.
Ford fired low into the net to clinch the win in the final game of Martyn Cundy’s caretaker charge.
After the game, Holbeach confirmed that Oakham United co-boss Hayes was to be their new permanent manager. His first interview will be online later tonight.
Meanwhile, three second-half goals ensured that Spalding got back to winning ways at Loughborough.
After a goalless first half, Brad Wells nodded the Tulips ahead from a Paul Walker cross on the hour, then lashed a classy second into the top corner eight minutes later.
Nathan Whitehead then completed the victory with goal number three 15 minutes from time following a Mitch Griffiths cross.
There was further positive news for Spalding before the final whistle, with Brad Barraclough making his first competitive appearance for the club as a late sub having shrugged off a long-term injury.
Down in the ChromaSport PDFL, Moulton Harrox progressed in the PFA Senior Cup with a crushing 7-1 success over Ketton at Broad Lane.
Crowland Town, however, exited the competition after going down 2-0 at home to ICA Sports.
In Division One, Long Sutton Athletic were 3-2 winners at Spalding United Reserves to keep their fine run of form going.
More football online throughout the week at www.spaldingvoice.co.uk and in Thursday’s edition of The Spalding and South Holland Voice.
Evo-Stik NPL
Division One South: Bedworth United 1 Lincoln United 4; Belper Town 1 Carlton Town 1; Chasetown 1 Kidsgrove Athletic 1; Gresley 1 AFC Rushden and Diamonds 2; Loughborough Dynamo 0 Spalding United 3; Market Drayton Town 4 Northwich Victoria 2; Rugby Town 2 Sheffield FC 3; Shaw Lane AFC 6 Leek Town 0; Stamford 3 Newcastle Town 1; Stocksbridge PS 1 Basford United 2; Witton Albion 5 Romulus 0.
ChromaSport UCL
Premier Division: Deeping Rangers 4 Kirby Muxloe 0; Eynesbury Rovers 4 Northampton ON Chenecks 0; Harborough Town 2 Yaxley 3; Holbeach United 2 Rothwell Corinthians 1; Leicester Nirvana 3 Cogenhoe United 2; Northampton Sileby Rangers 3 Boston Town 0; Peterborough Northern Star 0 Desborough Town 1; Wellingborough Town 2 Harrowby United 2.
KO Cup: Huntingdon Town 0 Oadby Town 2; Thrapston Town 1 Wisbech Town 3.
The FA Buildbase Vase
Third round (selected): Newport Pagnell Town 3 London Colney 1; Sporting Khalsa 5 Sleaford Town 5 (AET); Wembley 0 Peterborough Sports 4.
ChromaSport PDFL
Premier Division: Thorney 2 Deeping Rangers Res 0.
PFA Senior Cup: AFC Stanground Sports 2 Stamford Lions 5; Crowland Town 0 Peterborough ICA Sports 2; Langtoft United 1 Netherton United 2; Moulton Harrox 7 Ketton 1; Wittering Harriers 4 Sawtry 1.
Division One: Baston 1 Whittlesey Athletic Res 6; Glinton & Northborough 4 Warboys Town 1; Peterborough Polonia 0 Oakham United Res 2; Spalding United Res 2 Long Sutton Athletic 3; Stamford Belvedere 0 Oundle Town 6; Sutton Bridge United 5 Riverside 1.
Division Two: Ketton Res 1 Tydd St Mary 2; Leverington Sports Res 2 Crowland Town Res 1; Netherton United A 4 Langtoft United Res 4; Pinchbeck United Res 0 Parkway Eagles 0; Stamford Lions Res 0 Spalding Town 0.
Division Three: Bretton North End 5 Stamford Belvedere Res 0; Brotherhood Sports 19 Sutton Bridge United Res 0; Farcet United 0 AFC Stanground Sports A 6; Rutland DR 8 Uppingham Town Res 5; Whittlesey Athletic B 1 Eye United 7.
Division Four: Division Four: AFC Stanground Sports B 3 Netherton United B 2; Cardea 4 Parkside 0; Huntingdon Rovers 5 Wittering Harriers Res 0; Long Sutton Athletic Res 2 FC Peterborough Res 3; Stamford Lions A 2 Premiair 1; Whaplode Drove 1 Feeder 4.
PFA Junior Cup: Tydd St Mary Res 0 Holbeach Bank 0 (pens 4-5).
PFA Minor Cup: Whittlesey Ath C 1 Peterborough NECI 2.
Division Five: AFC Orton 1 Feeder Reserves 6; Eunice Huntingdon 12 Leverington Sports A 0; Holbeach United A 3 British School of Sport 0; Ramsey Town Res 4 Orton Rangers 1; Wisbech Town Acorns 0 Glinton & Northborough Res 1.
