Holbeach United 3
Long Buckby 0
A double from Lee Beeson helped send Holbeach United two points clear at the top of the UCL Premier Division on Saturday as they eased past Long Buckby 3-0 at Carter’s Park.
An early Tommy Treacher strike (4) put the Tigers ahead, before Beeson missed a penalty following a foul on Danny Steadman.
The former Spalding United winger made amends with a stunning lob on 18 minutes, before burying his second penalty of the afternoon in the closing stages to seal the points.
Holbeach had plenty of chances to add to their advantage, but did more than enough to make it four wins from as many games in the league this term.
Add an emphatic 5-1 FA Cup win at Diss Town into the mix and the Tigers still boast a 100 per cent record under the joint charge of John Chand and Graham Drury.
The flawless start has been as good as anyone at Holbeach could have hoped for as they set about trying to regain the UCL Premier Division crown – but joint chief Chand still wasn’t entirely happy with what he saw.
He said: “It was pretty comfortable for us. They are a young side and didn’t give up, but it ended up being pretty comprehensive.
“If I have one criticism it is that we switched off a little, especially after going 2-0 up.
“We’re going to have a lot of games this year were we dominate, but it’s important that we are relentless.
“Long Buckby didn’t score, but there’s always a chance that teams could pinch a goal from a set play.
“I shouldn’t really be complaining, though. If anyone had offered us this start before a ball was kicked we’d have snapped their hand off.
“We’ve got a group of players that are fighting for positions left, right and centre. Nobody is guaranteed a start – and that’s healthy.”
Chand also paid tribute to the attitude of striker Treacher, who took advantage of the absence of top scorer Lee Dube by marking his first start of the season with a goal.
The co-boss feels Treacher is now pushing for a regular starting role and earmarked him as an example for others to follow.
“Tommy has been unlucky that we’ve got a striker like Dube who is scoring more than two goals a game,” added Chand. “But he’s been great every time he’s come on and took his chance.
“He’s not complained and has shown the right attitude. That will make it hard for me and Graham (Drury) to leave him out.”
“Meanwhile, Holbeach have seven-day notices of approach in for Deeping Rangers’ left back Craig Parker and Wisbech Town defender Stacy Cartwright.
Both are former Tigers, with Parker being a part of Chand’s double-winning squad of 2012/13 and Cartwright a regular under Shaun Keeble back in 2008/09.
They’ve also signed up midfielder Callum Lewis, who lists Biggleswade Town, Bedford Town and Cambridge City among his former clubs.
Aqually adept at right back or central midfield, he’s also the brother of former Holbeach favourite Wes Lewis.
He trained with the first team squad on Wednesday.
Holbeach: Conroy, Allen, Spencer, Pinner (Warfield), Steadman (Parker), Stevens, Beeson, Duffy, Treacher, King, Fuller (Gibson).
Attendance: 85
