Holbeach United 2
Rothwell Corinthians 1
A dramatic injury-time penalty from Josh Ford earned Holbeach United a battling 2-1 ChromaSport UCL Premier Division win over Rothwell Corinthians on Saturday in Martyn Cundy’s final game as caretaker manager.
With newly-appointed boss Seb Hayes watching on from the sideline, Ford had earlier put the Tigers ahead following a top team move on 19 minutes.
But the game turned on its ten minutes into the second period when Ollie Pinner pulled Mapeo Mendes down in the box to concede a penalty and be sent off. Callum Plowright duly dispatched the spot-kick to put Rothwell in command.
Three stellar saves from keeper Ricky Drury kept Holbeach on level terms until the fourth minute of added time, when Ford dispatched his second from the spot after Tommy Treacher had won a penalty that also saw away keeper Liam Waddy dismissed.
A delighted Cundy felt his side did just about enough to merit the three points – and told new boss Hayes that he’s inheriting a side that he believes will win silverware this season.
“I asked the lads to give me one last effort and get three points,” said the ex-Moulton Harrox boss. “Obviously we did that – which was brilliant.
“I thought we looked comfortable in the first half and were really in control. But the second goal was always going to be an important one.
“Having Ollie sent off and them getting that goal didn’t help, as we had to chase it a bit.
“But at the end we gambled in order to get the victory – and thankfully we got it. I can’t fault the lads at all, they were superb.
“In the end we probably deserved the win. It was a little hard on them that the goal came in the last minute, but on reflection of the 90 minutes we just about edged it and were helped by three great saves from Ricky Drury,
“Obviously the new manager Seb has now come in, so I’ll have a chat with him and see what the plan is. Whatever happens he’s inheriting a good side.
“Before the game I told the lads that they were playing for him as well as myself and they responded to that.
“With the players coming back into this side, I do feel that we’ve got a top two or three team – and I honestly believe that Holbeach will go on and win something this season.”
Holbeach started really well at Carter’s Park and were unfortunate not to win a dangerous free kick when Ford was taken out by Aaron Campion when clean through. Had a free kick been given, the Rothwell defender would surely have been sent off.
Chances then came at either end, with Drury forced to save smarty from Lewis O’Dell before Aaron Eyett lashed a presentable opening wide of the near post for the Tigers.
When the breakthrough did come for Holbeach, it was some goal. Treacher played a lovely pass to Jake Walton, who pulled the ball back to his stand-in captain from the right. Striker Treacher then unselfishly squared to strike partner Ford, who ruthlessly dispatched the chance from close in.
Eyett almost made it 2-0 when his drilled drive was kept out by the legs of Waddy, who was lucky to be on the pitch having twice been penalised for handling outside of the box.
There was a warning shot from Corinthians, however, with O’Dell seeing his powerful back-post effort tipped onto the near post by the hand of Drury.
The game changed dramatically ten minutes into the second period, with Pinner – who was having a strong game in central midfield – given his marching orders for pulling down a clean through Mendes in the box.
Plowright duly buried the penalty – and you sensed that Rothwell felt they could take all three points.
Enter Drury, who pulled off three huge saves to deny them. The first saw him get down to deny Jordan Henson in a one-on-one situation, then he somehow kept out a Mendes effort from point-blank range.
His third stop was perhaps the pick of the bunch, as he superbly denied Jody Mann after he had weaved his way through the home defence.
To their credit, Holbeach continued to believe in themselves – and they almost pinched a winner when Stuart Muldrew’s cross was tipped onto the bar and over.
With both sides looking set to take a share of the spoils, a moment of sheer persistence from Treacher helped win the day for his side.
He controlled a hopeful ball forward and raced into the box, only to be taken down by the on-rushing Waddy. The keeper was sent off and Ford slammed home the penalty, giving Cundy the perfect send off and the Tigers a big three points.
Tigers: Drury, Walton, Shepherd, Tinkler, Allen, Pinner, Muldrew, P Smith (Jack Smith 75), Eyett, Treacher, Ford. Not used: Dougill, Ward, Grimwood, Davies.
