Holbeach United 3
Leicester Nirvana 0
Seb Hayes admitted that he was pleased to see his Holbeach United side “win ugly” in his first home game in charge on Saturday.
Strikes from Josh Ford (21), Callum Madigan (45) and sub Jamie Ward (79) earned the Tigers a convincing success over ten-man Leicester Nirvana at Carter’s Park.
That made it back-to-back ChromaSport UCL Premier Division wins for Hayes since he replaced Tom Roberts at the Holbeach helm – and the ex-Peterborough Northern Star and Huntingdon Town chief is pleased with how his new squad is shaping up.
“It was an ugly win,” admitted Hayes. “That was the feeling in the dressing room.
“But I can’t complain. That’s two games, two clean sheets and seven goals for us since I took over.
“So, yes, it was an ugly win. But – and I’ve told the boys this too – winning ugly is a skill.
“It was a day for that, too. The pitch was heavy and the conditions weren’t great.
“I’m very happy with how things are going at the moment. We had a lot of players missing, so this win proves that the squad is in good order.
“We also had a lot of talented young lads on the bench too, which is promising.”
On a foggy afternoon at Carter’s Park, it was never likely to be a day of vintage football – especially with the pitch looking particularly heavy.
Home stopper Ricky Drury was called into action early on to deny Suleiman Nassor with a low save, while Spencer Tinkler saw a header from Tommy Treacher’s corner tipped around the post.
Soon after that it was 1-0 to the hosts, with Ford racing clear on the right-hand side of the box and lashing an angled drive past the helpless Karol Ziniewicz.
The lead was almost doubled moments later, with an on-song Treacher launching a stunning 25-yard drive off the underside of the bar.
If that was impressive, Stuart Muldrew’s effort from a Ford pass minutes after was a little disappointing. Free in the centre of the box, he spooned over with only the keeper to beat.
It wasn’t all one-way traffic, though, as Louis Hamilton was unlucky to see his spectacular volley from a Nirvana corner flash wide and Aboubakar Cisse flashed a strike wide from close range when he perhaps should have found the net.
The visitors paid for their profligacy on the stoke of half time as, following a decent Ziniewicz stop to deny Treacher, Madigan met a corner on the full to volley the Tigers into a 2-0 half-time advantage.
It was a little scrappy early in the second period, but Holbeach soon came to life. A delicious scooped pass from Ford was volleyed just past the far post by the impressive Treacher, while Aaron Eyett skipped past a man and sliced an effort wide from the edge of the box.
Nirvana struggled to fashion too many openings, but perhaps should have pulled one back when Jahdatin Harper sent a free header from a corner straight down Drury’s throat.
The Holbeach number one also had to palm an Alexandru Paval effort away, before a mysterious red card to Christopher Hollist 15 minutes from time gave the Tigers a helping hand.
It didn’t take long for the hosts to take advantage of their numerical advantage, too. Another Treacher corner was met by Tinkler, who headed the ball down for Ward to slide home from close range 11 minutes from time.
Eyett, who had another good game, flashed a late chance wide after finding some space on the right, as Holbeach ended what was a solid showing on the front foot.
Third-placed Deeping Rangers (away) is the next test for them on Tuesday night (7.45pm), with new signing Zak Munton expected to join up with the squad.
Tigers: Drury, Walton, Shepherd, Warfield, Tinkler, P Smith, Muldrew (Ward 68), Madigan (Dougill 81), Eyett, Ford, Treacher (Davies 86). Not used: Cartwright.
Attendance: 82.
