Kirkley & Pakefield 3
Holbeach United 4
Tom Roberts saluted a job well done as his Holbeach United side fended off a spirited Kirkley and Pakefield comeback to win 4-3 in The Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round on Saturday.
The Tigers cruised into a 4-0 lead at Walmer Road thanks to goals from Spencer Tinkler (18), Josh Ford (42 and 55) and Tyler Wright (45), before the hosts set up a grandstand finish with three goals in 15 second-half minutes.
Holbeach held firm, though, and will travel to Dereham in the first qualifying round on September 3.
Player/boss Roberts was happy with what he saw from his side and insisted that he wasn’t worried by the late defensive lapses.
Roberts said: “It was closer than it should have been really. We got to 4-0 and took our foot off the gas.
“We let in a few sloppy goals, but that will get ironed out. Does it matter that we conceded three times in an FA Cup game? I don’t think so, the result is all that matters to us.
“There’s lots of positives to take from the game. We look to have goals in us from all over the pitch – you only have to look at the likes of Spencer Tinkler getting in on the act with a great goal.
“It’s all about getting through and bringing some money into the club.
“I’m very happy with the performance and we look forward to going as far as we can in the competition.”
The Tigers went ahead on 18 minutes when Tinkler curled home his first goal for the club since joining from Deeping Rangers in the summer. Playing in midfield, Tinkler’s expert finish was one of the highlights of the afternoon.
It was 2-0 three minutes before the break when Ford rifled home from 25 yards to complete a fantastic individual effort.
Not done there, Wright buried a sweet third on the stroke of half time following a great run and cross from lively winger Aaron Eyett.
It looked to be very much game over when Ford fired home his second ten minutes after the break, but the hosts had other ideas.
The hosts launched a stirring comeback late on thanks to goals from Richard Woodrow (penalty), Nathan Stone and Jack Herbert, but Holbeach held on.
Tigers: Drury, Walton, Cartwright, Stevens, N Jackson, Warfield (Dougill), Tinkler, Eyett, Wright, Ford, Eason (Allen). Not used: Roberts, Coddington, Thomas.
Attendance: 64.
