Sleaford Town 2
Holbeach United 5
The fearsome firepower now at Holbeach’s disposal rang true on Tuesday night as their front three all scored in a five-star derby win at Eslaforde Park.
Aaron Preston (6), Lee Dube (28 & 59), Jamie Clarke (29) and Jake Gibson (50) all notched to keep the Tigers top of the UCL Premier Division in style.
Sleaford did hit back through Scott Coupland (39) and Ryan Parnell (74), but they couldn’t stop Holbeach going five points clear at the summit.
Co-boss Graham Drury, who was in sole charge on the night with John Chand in command against Boston Town in the Lincs FA Senior Trophy game at Carter’s Park tomorrow night (7.45pm), said: “You’ve got to be happy with any away win midweek.
“Holbeach to Sleaford may not sound far, but my lads have been at work and have had to travel from all over.
“I’m not as happy as I could be, though. We conceded two soft goals and gave them a sniff of a chance that they really shouldn’t have had.
“There’s still plenty of room for improvement, but I was delighted to see us look so dangerous.
“Preston and Gibson both got their first goals and it was great to see Dube and Clarke among the scorers again.
“Every win is a good win and it’s job done as far as I’m concerned.”
Preston, who was playing on the right wing in his second game for the club since signing from Blaby and Whetstone last week, fired the opener after getting in behind the defence. His effort was on target, but was aided by a deflection.
Two goals in as many minutes then put the Tigers in complete command – and they were carbon copies of each other as both Dube and Clarke raced clear to score from one-on-one situations.
Coupland pulled one back before the break when he fired home a rebound following a super Nick Conroy save, but Gibson restored Holbeach’s three-goal cushion five minutes into the second period following a fine run and strike from the left.
Top scorer Dube put the game to bed when he muscled his way through to notch number five, before Parnell’s consolation 16 minutes from time added a tiny blot on the Holbeach copybook.
Tigers: Conroy, Allen, Stevens, Spencer, Cartwright (Beeson 60), Gibson, Preston, Duffy, King (Pinner 60), Dube, Clarke (Delahoy 66).
Tuesday’s UCL Premier Division results
AFC Rushden & Diamonds 5 Desborough Town 0; Cogenhoe United 4 AFC Kempston Rovers 0; Northampton Sileby Rangers 3 Newport Pagnell Town 4; Oadby Town 4 Wellingborough Town 2; Sleaford Town 2 Holbeach United 5; Thurnby Nirvana 5 Harborough Town 0.
