The talented teens in Holbeach United’s under-18s squad made a little slice of history on Sunday.
Second-half goals from Jack Forster, Charlie Parkes and Jordan Elston fired the Tigers to a 3-0 win over Collingham United in the semi-final of the Lincolnshire FA Under-18s Cup at Carter’s Park.
That booked Holbeach a final showdown with either Cleethorpes Town or Grimsby Borough in what will be their first appearance in the county showpiece at this level in recent mermory.
Boss Stuart Clark, who is aided by his assistant, Tigers legend Dean Elston, admits that he couldn’t be prouder of the team.
But he also feels that it shows just how much of an impact the club’s methods have made in recent years – given that there is a clear pathway for young players to move up the ranks at Carter’s Park.
All of the under-18s squad have been able to feature with Holbeach Sports (also managed by Clark) in Division Three of the ChromaSport PDFL, while some have played for the PDFL Premier Division-based Reserves.
First team chief Danny Hussey is also very open to giving young players the chance to feature in the first team squad.
“I’m very proud of every single one of them,” said Clark. “To be fair, the club as a whole is heading in the right direction.
“With Des Ford as chairman, Phil Barnes managing the Reserves and Danny Hussey in charge of the first team, we’ve got everyone on the same page and there’s a pathway from the youth team to the first team like never before.
“With myself, Neal Collishaw and Sam Roberts looking after the Sports team too, the young lads are getting a lot of exposure to the senior game.
“This under-18s squad has 20 players involved and 12 of them are regulars in the Sports team, with others also getting chances in the Reserves and first team.
“We (the under-18s) got off to a slow start in the league, but now we’re top of a very difficult league – albeit having played a few games more.
“But to get to the final of the Lincolnshire Cup is an amazing feat for us; I think we’re the first Holbeach team to reach the final.
“If we’re not the first, we’re certainly the first in recent history. All credit to the lads, they’ve been absolutely amazing and deserve all of the plaudits.
“We’re not getting carried away and the final will be very tough, but we’re all proud of this achievement.”
Forster’s opener was scrambled over the line just after the break, before Parkes emphatically buried the second. Elston’s clincher was the pick, fired home from outside the box via the post.
The young Tigers are back in Thurlow Nunn Youth League action tonight (Thursday) when they play host to Deeping Rangers at Carter’s Park (7.45pm).
