Worcester City 2
Holbeach United 0
Boss Darren Jarvis expressed his pride after seeing Holbeach United knocked out of the Emirates FA Cup in Tuesday night’s replay at Worcester City.
Daniel Nti’s 25-yard drive in the first period and a second-half volley from former Jamaica international Deon Burton accounted for the Tigers in the second qualifying round replay, with not even hero keeper Ricky Drury able to save them this time.
Drury’s amazing overhead kick in Saturday’s initial clash saw Holbeach make a splash nationally – and the club have loved every minute of it.
The Tigers had their chances to go one better – most notably through Gary King and Tommy Treacher – against their Vanarama National League North hosts, but in truth never looked like they were going to spring an upset.
“We gave it a good go,” enthused Jarvis. “We certainly don’t regret anything after the games.
“We went there with a game plan, like Saturday, and tried to frustrate them.
“The lads showed a lot of courage and played some decent stuff on what was a very good pitch.
“We had our chances, but in the end their superior quality shone through, which it should for a side three levels higher than us.
“We went there with a depleted squad, but a number of the reserves stepped up to the plate superbly.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the lads, they did everything they could.
“I think we’ve done ourselves, the club, the league and the area proud – and I can’t ask for much more than that as a manager.
“We certainly won’t celebrate a defeat, but I think our run in this year’s FA Cup is one we can look back on with great pride.”
It threatened to be part two of the Ricky Drury show for large parts of the first period, with the keeper pulling off a string of fine saves to deny City.
The best of his stops saw him somehow keep out Sean Geddes’ long range piledriver. He was finally beaten by a screamer from man-of-the-match Nti before half time, then Burton lashed home
number two in the second half after Drury had parried another Geddes effort.
Holbeach are back in cup action at Carter’s Park on Saturday, but it’s a less illustrious UCL KO Cup clash with Bugbrooke St Michaels (3pm).
Tigers: Drury, Ford (Wells), Ward, Warfield, Worthington, Pinner, Thomas, Tidswell, Treacher, Dougill (Rose), King. Not used: Roberts, Gosling, Grimwood, Keeble.
