HOLBEACH UNITED 4
LOUTH TOWN 0
There was mixed news for Holbeach on Saturday despite the perfect on-field start to their pre-season campaign.
Goals from new recruits Danny Spencer (3 & 43), Ash Fuller (18) and Ollie Pinner sealed a comfortable 4-0 victory over lower-graded Louth at a roasting hot Carter’s Park.
But defender Jack Smith suffered a broken metatarsal, striker Tommy Treacher hobbled off with a calf complaint and right back Ross Watson left the club for former side King’s Lynn Town despite playing 70 minutes on what was his Tigers debut.
All things considered co-boss John Chand was happy with what he saw, but he rued the loss of Smith and Watson.
“Saturday was what it was,” said the returning chief. “I thought we started like a house on fire before petering out a bit.
“Jake Duffy looked superb in central midfield and I was pleased with Danny Spencer, who played in defence and attack at times.
“We got pretty much what we hoped we’d get from the game and I’m happy.
“Sadly, Jack looks like he’ll be out for eight weeks, which is a bad blow for him.
“Hopefully ‘Treach’ will be OK, it doesn’t look as bad as we thought.
“On Ross, it came as bit of a surprise if I’m honest.
“I thought he wanted to stay in the UCL to cut his travel, which was why he left Spalding. I suppose the pull of King’s Lynn got him and you have to respect that.
“I’ve got nothing but good things to say about him and we’ll look to retain his UCL registration if things change.”
The Tigers needed just two minutes to open the scoring as Spencer nodded home a Gary King corner at the back post.
Winger Fuller made it 2-0 with a low left-footed drive into the near post following a slick break (19), before striker Gary King saw a stunning 25-yard lob come back off the angle of post and bar.
The Tigers did add a third before the break though, with Spencer grabbing his second on 43 minutes after Adam Jackson’s long range drive was parried.
The second-half was a little more low key, but a fine finish from Pinner at the death rounded off a good day at the office for the Tigers.
The former Boston Town skipper, on as a half-time substitute, rifled home into the roof of the net after a Matt Warfield free kick was palmed into his path.
Tigers: Roberts, Watson (Delahoy 70), Jackson (Steadman 46), Allen (Pinner 46), Spencer, Stevens, Warfield, Duffy, Treacher (Smith 41, Wells 55), King (Brooks 70), Fuller (Gardner 70).
