Wellingborough Town 2
Holbeach United 1
Boss Seb Hayes admitted that he was “gutted” as Holbeach United’s 12-game unbeaten streak came to an end at Wellingborough Town on Saturday.
Shaun Wilkes gave hosts Wellingborough a first-minute lead in the Future Lions UCL Premier Division clash at the Dog and Duck, but James Tricks hit back on seven minutes.
A controversial red card to Holbeach’s Adam Jackson followed, before the Doughboys grabbed an 85th-minute winner when Jeremiah Adams struck.
Hayes, whose side fell to fifth in the table as a result, felt his side got what they deserved on the day.
“I’m gutted,” bemoaned the Tigers chief. “We were just so, so bad on the day.
“We started badly and they went ahead very early on. But, to be fair, we dominated for the next 15 minutes and deservedly equalised.
“We just didn’t kick on after that and never really got going performance-wise.
“We missed a few really good chances and you could see that we were going to lose the game after that.
“I think the winner came about seven minutes from the end – and it wasn’t a surprise.
“They outworked and out-battled us on the day and all I can say is fair play to Wellingborough, they deserved their victory.
“I’m not looking to blame the referee or make excuses, but Adam Jackson’s red card was incredibly harsh.
“He was close to two of their players and one of them pushed him, forcing him to slide into the back of the other. It was never a straight red card.
“What made it worse was that one of their players put in a very dangerous tackle on Will Bird after about ten minutes. It was over the ball and dangerous, but the referee only gave a yellow.
“All you can ask for as a manager is for consistency. I can’t see how ‘Jacko’ was sent off when their player only picked up a yellow. We deserved to lose, so I don’t want to make a big deal about it.”
Tigers: Drury, Harker, Braithwaite, Clay, T Smith, Jackson, Whyatt, Bird, J Smith, Ford, Tricks. Subs used: Avis, Barker, B Smith.
Attendance: 95.
