Holbeach United 1
Daventry Town 2
Holbeach United were unfortunate to lose 2-1 at home to Future Lions UCL Premier Division champions-elect Daventry Town on Saturday.
All looked to be going well for the Tigers at Carter’s Park when Will Bird slotted them ahead on 13 minutes, but a second-half fightback edged Daventry closer to the title.
Luke Emery, who was lucky to still be on the pitch after a forearm smash on Adam Jackson went unpunished, levelled with a low drive on the hour, before Kieran Fitzgerald capitalised on Jonny Clay’s error to bury the winner four minutes from time.
Tigers boss Danny Hussey said: “There’s no way we deserved to lose that game. We need to be more clinical, but you have to look at a few of the refereeing decisions and feel it cost us the game.
“Their number nine (Luke Emery) made five or six fouls and then clearly hit Adam Jackson in the face.
“The referee saw it, but only spoke to him. On any other day, that’s a red card.
“He then went on to make a few more fouls before getting booked, before getting the equaliser.
“If he’s not on the pitch, we maybe take something from the game.
“It was harsh on us at the end, but Jonny made a bad mistake and we got punished.
“You can take a positive from that, though, as the way he reacted showed me that he really cares about the team and his performance.
“He was distraught, but I told him that we all make mistakes. I certainly made plenty.
“It cost us the game, but in a way seeing how he reacted impressed me.”
Tigers: Drury, Ford, T Smith, Clay, Braithwaite, Tinkler, Jackson, Davies (Avis 81), Bird, Lockie, Tricks (B Smith 77). Not used: Hamilton, Harker.
Attendance: 100
