Deeping Rangers 3
Holbeach United 2
Boss Seb Hayes was again left frustrated as Holbeach United lost a five-goal Emirates FA Cup cracker at Deeping Rangers on Saturday.
Goals from Scott Mooney (16), Dan Schiavi (40) and Jason Kilbride (49) had hosts Deeping on-course for a big derby win at one point.
But Holbeach, who created a host of big chances throughout, did hit back through Josh Ford (68) and Kieran Hamilton (85) at The Haydon Whitham Stadium.
Despite relentless late pressure the Tigers couldn’t find a leveller – leaving their manager to rue their efforts at both ends of the pitch.
“I’m frustrated,” admitted Hayes. “In the first 20 minutes I though we edged it and had more territory and in the last 25 minutes we really went for it.
“It was that middle part of the game they bossed – although I didn’t think we deserved to go behind. But credit to them, they had their chance and took it.
“I then thought we were getting back into it and looked dangerous, but they scored another goal. A few minutes after half-time and it’s 3-0.
“It was almost exactly like the league game here last season (lost 4-3). The last 15 minutes was all us and we had some great chances.
“We won the second half 2-1, but we’ve got to take our chances. We left ourselves open to chase the game and, OK they’ve had some half-chances, but Jack Smith missed two gilt-edged opportunities that he’s got to take.
“The lads are adamant that Deeping’s third goal was offside, but for me the defending was terrible, so I’m not going to complain.
“Burton-Jones went through three tackles on the half-way line and then Ricky Drury just backed off and stood his ground before Kilbride scored. It was just so poor.
“It was exactly the same as on the first day of the season. We weren’t clinical in front of goal and we’re not doing things right in our own box.
“Maybe I watched a different game, but I thought we were the better team. How many chances did Ricky have to save? They’ve had territory and we had territory, but we created the best chances.
“Going out of the FA Cup isn’t a massive blow in the grand scheme of things – it doesn’t really mean anything.
“The club have missed out on some money, but that’s it. For me, I’ve at least got something out of the game.
“Why did Deeping finish the game like that at 3-0 up? We’ve come here for the last two seasons and battered them in the closing stages. But what we’ve done beforehand isn’t good enough.”
Holbeach – who handed a start to defender Joe Braithwaite after his return from Harrowby United – had the first sight of goal when winger Billy Smith forced Richard Stainsby into a early fingertip save from a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the box.
It didn’t take long for Drury to be forced into action at the other end, with the Tigers keeper expertly tipping Kilbride’s effort over his bar.
With both sides looking to attack, the chances continued to come. Holbeach skipper Spencer Tinkler lashed a fierce effort just off target from the edge of the box, then Ford side-footed straight at Stainsby when well-placed.
It was Deeping who broke the deadlock on 16 minutes, however. A lovely cross from Schiavi found the head of Mooney, who planted a header past the diving Drury.
The Tigers didn’t let the goal break their rhythm and were unlucky not to level when Jack Smith’s hooked effort from a corner was cleared off the line.
However, the hosts hit them on the break five minutes before the break to double their advantage. The chance fell to the talented Schiavi, who made no mistake with a thumping finish after being fed by Mooney.
It was very nearly 3-0 before the break, with Kilbride rounding Drury and teeing up Mooney, who saw his shot blocked. Schiavi then collected the ball and fed David Burton-Jones, who forced a save from Drury.
They didn’t have to wait long to add number three, however, as an offside-looking Kilbride raced onto a Burton-Jones pass to slot home four minutes into the second period.
Holbeach did their best to launch a comeback and went close when Bird blasted over and Ford dragged wide at the near post.
They did pull one back 22 minutes from time when Ford made the most of a rare slip from keeper Stainsby. He kept his cool to slot home into an empty net.
It was very nearly 3-2 soon after, but Jack Smith slotted the chance of the game wide of the far post when clean through on goal.
The same player had another big chance with ten minutes left on the clock, but blazed well over from close range.
Things got interesting five minutes from time when Holbeach sub Hamilton met a Ford cross at the back post and side-footed home a superb volleyed effort over Stainsby and into the corner.
That was as good as it got for the Tigers, though, as Deeping held firm to book a clash with AFC Rushden and Diamonds in the next round.
Deeping: Stainsby, Flack, Andersen, Burton-Jones, Hunnings, Stubbs, Dunn (Simpson 84), Coulson, Mooney (Allcock 78), Schiavi, Kilbride. Subs: Not used: Carter, Ilsley, Fryett, Silva, Bircham.
Tigers: Drury, Harker, T Smith, Braithwaite, Clay, Jackson, B Smith (Avis 74), Tinkler, Ford, Jack Smith (Cartwright 82), Bird (Hamilton 79). Not used:Barker.
Attendance: 182.
