Holbeach United 3
Rugby Town 1
Resurgent Holbeach United produced their best performance in some time as they defeated Rugby Town 3-1 on Saturday.
The Tigers went ahead on the half hour through Jonny Lockie, but were pegged back by Jazz Luckie’s strike five minutes before the break in the Uhlsport UCL Premier Division clash at Carter’s Park.
That gave Danny Hussey’s Tigers a shot in the arm and Liam Adams’ doubled (44 and 45) gave them a 3-1 lead at the break. They held on to that advantage in the second period, with Rugby having Lewis Hayden – who was earlier sin-binned – sent off for a second yellow.
Boss Hussey, who had slammed his team’s recent performances, was delighted with what he saw.
Hussey said: “It was much better from the lads. Compared to the last league game we played, it was 100 times better. The boys did everything that I asked of them and have been demanding from them all season.
“The key now is making sure that it wasn’t a one-off. I’d seen signs of improvement against Whittlesey, but this was against stronger opposition. So to do it against them was great to see.
“To be honest, Rugby were very physical and lost their discipline a little bit, which helped us. We just kept plugging away and the workrate was top drawer. We also played the ball around nicely at times and got the job done.
“I was pleased for Liam Adams in particular. He’s a bit torn between Holbeach and Stamford at the moment, but he played with a smile on his face, which was great.
“His second goal was a real cracker, curled into the top corner from 25 yards.
“He’s getting on well with the rest of the lads now and that shows on the field.”
Tigers: Carpenter, Wilson, Fairweather, N Jackson, T Smith, J Smith (Tinkler 71), A Jackson, Lockie, Avis (Bird 83 mins), Adams, Ford (Oliver 68). Not used: Gadsden.
Attendance: 117.
