Holbeach United 0
PNS 4
Graham Drury was sent off as UCL Premier Division Holbeach slumped to their worst result of the season so far against an inspired Star side on Saturday.
Second-half strikes from Avelino Vieira (49 & 89), Jason Kilbride (90) and Jordan MacLeod (90+4) sentenced the Tigers to only their second defeat of the league campaign at Carter’s Park.
The game was a little closer than the scoreline suggests, but the city side were full value for the three points as they avenged their opening day 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Holbeach.
Co-boss Drury saw red after an exchange with the referee while the score was 1-0, with he and fellow chief John Chand left dumbstruck on the sideline.
Although Drury branded the referee as “the worst he’s seen this season,” he took his red card on the chin – and put the result down to key players not performing.
“I don’t read too much into scorelines,” said the former Boston United boss. “1-0 or 9-0, it’s the same result.
“We were losing 1-0 and pushed on to try and get something. When they got their second, it deflated us and what happened next doesn’t really matter.
“You’re going to have off days in a season and this was one of them. There was too much space between our defence and midfield and the midfield and attack.
“A few of our top players, the likes of Jake Duffy, just couldn’t get into the game and it cost us.
“To be fair to the referee, we spoke after the game and he admitted that it wasn’t his best day.
“I still told him that he was the worst referee we’ve had here – and I think I must have done that a few too many times during the game. That’s why he sent me off.
“If he’d have told me I was the worst manager he’d seen this season, I’d have laughed it off. But we move on”
The first half was nip and tuck, with neither side really seizing control. Jake Gibson twice went close for the hosts, with his second effort a looping header that Tom Roberts did well to hold.
Aaron Preston then blazed a great chance well wide on his left foot after creating a pocket of space for himself, before Nick Conroy was forced to deny a clean through Vieira with an impressive low stop.
Conroy was called back into action soon after with a low save from MacLeod’s low drive from the right – and then had to be alert to keep out a snap-shot from the same player minutes later.
Just before the break Jonny Allen had a decent chance to put the Tigers ahead from a corner, but blazed over after stealing in at the back post.
Star began much the better in the second half – and got the opener from an incisive break. The dangerous MacLeod delivered superbly from the right for the prolific Vieira to fire a crisp half-volley into the net from eight yards.
The visitors then enjoyed a period of dominance. Kilbride went within a whisker of making it 2-0 with a curling effort from the edge of the box, while defender Luke Hunnings – who was excellent alongside Jonny Clay in the Star defence – nodded just wide from a free kick with Conroy beaten.
At the other end, Holbeach had claims for a penalty waved away after Jake Duffy was hauled down in the box. It was by no means clear-cut, but you’ve seen them given.
Lee Beeson then worked Roberts with a curling effort that required tipping around the post.
That was as good as it got for the hosts, though, as Star missed a flurry of chances before eventually putting the game to bed.
Vieira headed agonisingly wide after MacLeod collected a Roberts clearance and delivered superbly for the striker, while the striker then flicked over after Luke Avis’ towering header from a corner.
Holbeach threw on three strikers from the bench as they searched for a leveller, but it was Star who wrapped up the win a minute from time. Vieira, who was initially running towards the corner flag, cut back inside to rifle a low drive that went under Conroy and into the net.
Not done there, Star rubbed salt in the Tigers’ wounds when Kilbride slotted number three into the corner and MacLeod tapped home the fourth after Conroy fluffed his clearance.
The scoreline was a little harsh on Holbeach, but it brings them crashing back down to earth with a thud after going more than a month unbeaten.
With all of their chief rivals winning, it was a bad day for the Tigers to produce their worst showing so far.
Tigers: Conroy, Deeney, Parker, Allen, Stevens (King 68), Steadman (Dube 54), Beeson (Treacher 83), Duffy, Preston, Clarke, Gibson. Not used: Pinner, Cartwright.
Attendance: 122
