Holbeach United saw their FA Vase dream shattered by a 3-2 extra-time defeat against Erith and Belvedere on Saturday, while Spalding United suffered a potentially costly 2-1 loss at Evo-Stik League First Division South title rivals Mickleover Sports.
Starting with the Tigers, all looked to be going to plan at Carter’s Park when Lee Dube raced onto a Jake Duffy pass and fired home a third-minute opener for Graham Drury and John Chand’s side.
However, Byron Walker levelled on 13 minutes after getting in behind the Holbeach defence and a horrible own goal from Kern Miller (34) then put visitors Erith ahead at half time.
The Tigers were by far the better side in the second period and deservedly levelled 20 minutes from time when Jake Duffy took advantage of some calamitous defending to coolly slot a low drive into the corner and force extra time.
Erith were the dominant side in the additional period, though, and edged back ahead when Adam Marsh expertly side-footed Ben Wilson’s cross into the top corner on 99 minutes.
Holbeach through caution to the wind after that, but never really looked like forcing a replay. To make matters worse, striker Matt Nolan was given a straight red card for a nasty late tackle on the closing stages.
The loss means Holbeach have failed to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Vase for the first time in their history – a result co-boss Drury lamented afterwards.
He said: “I’m a bit deflated. If they’d been the better side on the day I’d have accepted it.
“I don’t think there was a lot between the sides and I’m disappointed with the goals we conceded.
“It’s a shame to be out, but I wish them (Erith) all the very best for the rest of the competition.”
Meanwhile, Spalding United failed to take advantage of one of their quickest goals of the season so far as they slipped to a second league loss on the spin.
Jamie Stevens nodded Pat Rayment’s Tulips ahead inside 45 seconds at Mickleover, but Gary Ricketts (21) and Andrew Dales (64) turned the game on its head.
The loss leaves Spalding 14 points off leaders Sutton Coldfield Town, who they host next Saturday (3pm).
Elsewhere, a double from Joe Townsend helped fire Moulton Harrox into the final of the Lincs FA Junior Cup as they beat previously unbeaten Brumby 4-3 at Broad Lane.
Ashley Coddington and Lee Bradbury also scored for Paul Kent’s side, who will meet Hykeham Town in the final.
Pinchbeck United also enjoyed a fine afternoon as they humbled South Lincolnshire rivals Deeping Rangers Reserves 5-1 at Knight Street.
RESULTS
Evo-Stik League First Division South
Coalville Town 2 Lincoln United 1; Gresley 1 Romulus 1; Leek Town 1 Norton United 0; Loughborough Dynamo 1 Rainworth MW 1; Market Drayton Town 1 Chasetown 2; Mickleover Sports 2 Spalding United 1; Newcastle Town 0 Stafford Rangers 2; Sheffield FC 1 Brigg Town 0; Stocksbridge PS 2 Goole 1; Sutton Coldfield Town 2 Carlton Town 1; Tividale 1 Kidsgrove Athletic 0.
UCL Premier Division
AFC R & D 2 PNS 0; Boston Town 5 Desborough Town 1; Harrowby United 0 Wisbech Town 5; Huntingdon Town 1 Deeping Rangers 5; Newport Pagnell 0 Thurnby Nirvana 4; Northampton SR 0 Eynesbury Rovers 6; Sleaford Town 1 Cogenhoe Utd 1; Yaxley 3 AFC Kempston Rovers 0.
FA Vase
Last 16: Holbeach United 2 Erith & Belvedere 3 (AET).
ChromaSport Peterborough & District League
Premier Division: Crowland Town 1 Thorney 3; Langtoft Utd 4 Riverside 2; Netherton Utd 4 Coates Ath 4; Oakham Utd 4 Holbeach Utd Res 0; ICA Sports 6 Sawtry 4; Pinchbeck Utd 5 Deeping Rangers Res 1.
Division One: AFC Stanground 6 Moulton Harrox Res 0; Baston 3 Whittlesey BS 0; Ketton 2 Netherton Utd Res 0; Oundle Town 10 Long Sutton Ath 3; Sutton Bridge Utd 3 Ryhall Utd 1; Warboys Town 1 Coates Ath Res 2; Wisbech Town Res 2 ICA Sports Res 1.
Division Two: Coates Ath A 1 Ketton Res 1; Parkway Eagles 2 Netherton Utd A 0; Sawtry Res 2 Oakham Utd Res 3; Stamford Belvedere 6 Leverington Sp Res 2; Thorney Res 5 Parkside 4; Wittering 3 Pinchbeck Utd Res 2.
ChromaSport Intermediate Shield: Spalding Utd Res 2 Baston Res 0.
Division Three: Coates Ath B 1 Peterborough Sports A 2; Farcet Utd 1 Tydd St Mary 2; Kings Cliffe Res 1 Riverside Res 1; Peterborough PL Utd 1 Spalding Town 1; Ramsey Town 3 Uppingham Town Res 1; Stilton Utd Res 3 Ryhall Utd Res 0.
Division Four: ICA Sports B 5 Sutton Bridge Utd Res 0; Stanground Sports 2 Oundle Town Res 0.
PFA Minor Cup: Rutland DR 3 Thorpe Wood Rangers 1; Holbeach Bank 3 Parkside Res 0.
Division Five: Coates Ath C 2 Sawtry A 1; Holbeach Utd A 5 Parkside A 0; Parkway Eagles Res 0 Whaplode Drove 4; Ryhall Utd A 0 Netherton Utd B 4.
Lincs FA Junior Cup
Semi-finals: Moulton Harrox 4 Brumby 3; Hykeham Town 2 Swineshead Institute 0.
