Holbeach United 4
Northampton Sileby Rangers 0
Tom Roberts celebrated his first game in permanent charge of Holbeach United with a comfortable 4-0 victory over ChromaSport UCL Premier Division strugglers Sileby at Carter’s Park.
On the last Saturday before Christmas, striker Josh Ford put the hosts ahead on 20 minutes after great work from Nick Jackson, before Jake Clitheroe doubled the leader eight minutes later.
A trademark 20-yard free-kick from player/assistant boss Andrew Tidswell (38) made it 3-0 to Holbeach at half time, before Ford’s 25-yard cracker (78) rounded off the scoring late on.
Roberts confirmed after the game that he’d agreed a deal to take the Tigers reins, with Tidswell stepping up as his number two in the wake of Darren Jarvis’ sacking.
He admits that he’d have been stupid not to take on the challenge of his first non-league managerial role – and praised what he considered to be Holbeach’s most complete performance of the season.
“It didn’t take long for me to decide,” admitted Roberts. “I’d have been silly not to accept the opportunity.
“It’s been a smooth transition really and the players have been great.
“It was a very comfortable win for us. If we’d have scored double figures it would have been a fairer reflection of the game.
“To be honest, it was our most complete performance yet. I thought everybody performed very well.
“Young Dan Dougill was a real highlight for us. He’s been very patient, but really took his chance. He’s one for the future, we just have to be very careful with him and play him in the right games that will suit him.”
Next up for the Tigers is a trip to rivals Wisbech Town on Boxing Day (3pm).
Holbeach have already won at the Fenland Stadium this season, prevailing 1-0 in The FA Cup back in August.
Roberts added: “They’ll know everything about us – and we know plenty about them too.
“It’ll be one of those games. Derby matches are always tight and we’re looking forward to it.”
Striker Tommy Treacher is likely to miss that game, but should return against Yaxley at Carter’s Park on December 28 (3pm).
Tigers: Drury, Worthington, Ward, Dougill, Jackson, Stevens (Cartwright), Clitheroe (Newcombe), Tidswell, Ford, Gosling, Thomas. Not used: Warfield, Roberts.
Attendance: 100.
