Chris Ward’s first Holbeach United goal was enough to earn a battling 1-0 derby victory at Boston Town on Tuesday night – but it came at a cost.
The defender fired home from the edge of the box on 34 minutes to settle a scrappy UCL Premier Division affair at the DWB Stadium, making it back-to-back away wins for the Tigers.
The victory fires Holbeach up to eighth in the table, just two points off top spot. But the Tigers saw skipper Jamie Stevens stretchered off in the first half with an ankle ligament injury that looks set to sideline him for quite some time.
Having also won 1-0 at Wisbech Town on Saturday, Holbeach now look to be finding their form after a relatively slow start to the campaign.
Tigers boss Darren Jarvis said: “It was a very scrappy game. But that’s what you expect in a local derby.
“It’s pleasing to win ugly sometimes, I’m not sure I’ve ever managed a side that would have won the game in this manner. What’s pleasing is that we won by playing some good stuff at Wisbech, but here it’s a different performance.
“I do believe that it’s a great three points. Anybody that comes to Boston Town is in for a tough game this season.
“The negative is the injury to Jamie Stevens. His ankle has swollen up like a balloon. We’re not sure, but the gut feeling is that, if we’re lucky, he’ll miss a few months. But it could be worse.
“One thing is for sure, he’ll be a massive loss to this side however long he’s missing.”
On Stevens, Tigers number two Tom Roberts added: “Obviously it’s a huge blow for us and the player, who has been superb for us since his return.
“He’s the fittest he’s been since his professional days and his performances have shown that.
“Any club would miss somebody of Jamie’s ability and his leadership qualities are second to none.
“We are lucky to have quality in that department. Jonny Clay came back into the side at Boston and did very well alongside the versatile Matt Warfield.
“New signing Nick Jackson and Stacy Cartwright are also both available this weekend.”
Both sides had chances early on, with Josh Ford firing wide for Holbeach and Jack Wightwick missing a real sitter from six yards for Town. The Tigers then began to turn the screw, with Ford
heading wide from a Gary King cross and Jake Clitheroe working James Doughty with a powerful header.
Then came the Stevens injury, with the influential skipper carried off.
It didn’t rock the Tigers too much, though, as full back Ward fired home the opener moments later following incisive build-up play from Andrew Tidswell and Tommy Treacher.
Boston turned the tables early in the second period, with Terry Fleming sending an effort wide and Jack Drury forced to pull off smart stops from both Alex Beck and Wightwick.
The Poachers went even closer mid-way through the half when Lori Borbely headed a dangerous Matt Kennedy corner off the bar from close range.
Young gun Harry Limb jumped off the bench to offer some respite at the other end as his cross almost flew in off ex-Tiger Craig Parker, while Treacher forced another save from Doughty. There was late pressure from the hosts as Richard Ford’s acrobatic volley and close-range effort were inches wide, but Holbeach held on to register a first away league win under Jarvis.
They’ll hope to carry that form into Saturday’s home date with Oadby Town (3pm).
Tigers: Drury. Worthington, Ward, Warfield, Clay, Stevens (Maltby), Clitheroe, Tidswell, Ford (Limb), Treacher (Madigan), King. Not used: Roberts, Cartwright.
