Holbeach United 1 Skegness Town 5
New Holbeach United boss Danny Clifton insisted that he had nothing negative to say about Saturday’s 5-1 home defeat against Skegness Town.
Ex-Tiger Jonny Lockie (7 and 27) grabbed two of the Skeg goals at Carter’s Park, while Conor Marshall (12) and Jordan Smith (36 and 51) also netted as Holbeach conceded five or more goals for the third game on the trot.
Teenage talent Elliot Foster did pull one back for the Tigers, who also had Luke Chester sent off early in the second half.
The loss, Holbeach’s 16th from 18 Uhlsport UCL Premier Division North games this season, leaves them winless and bottom of the table at Christmas – still ten points shy of safety.
For Clifton, the severity of the defeat wasn’t a surprise and he was able to take positives from the second half showing.
“I didn’t expect to come in and have a drastic impact on results immediately,” said the new boss, who was appointed last weekend. “But it was good for me to get in and have a look at things from the dugout.
“For me, my job didn’t really start until half time. I had 45 minutes to assess things and then it was a case of trying to make a difference and offer a sense of direction to the lads.
“With that in mind, drawing the second half 1-1 was something to build on.
“I obviously wasn’t hoping to see us concede goals in the way that we did or have a player sent off right after half-time.
“But we tried to get a bit further up the pitch and express ourselves better in attack. It’s clear for all to see that we have problems scoring goals.
“I thought Elliot Foster, who is only 17, took that on board well and it was nice to see him score a goal. He deserves great credit for his performance.
“For me, there are no negatives. I personally felt very welcome before, during and after the game and it was nice to see a group of fans be so vocal and getting behind the team and I.
“There is obviously a lot that needs to change here on the pitch and that won’t happen overnight.”
Holbeach head into the festive fixtures some eight points behind Selston, having played a game more, and ten points shy of Pinchbeck United – who they play on January 3 – with a game in hand.
This latest loss also means the Tigers have lost ten of their 11 home fixtures so far this season, with Foster’s strike only their third home league goal of the season.
Tigers: Frestle, Gore, Nicholson, Chester, Nuttell, Wirkowski, Williams, Storey, Frost, Foster, Compton. Subs used: Baker, Balding, Cook.
