Boston Town 2 Holbeach United 0
Phil Barnes looked to the positives as a much-improved Holbeach United went out of the FA Vase at Boston United on Saturday.
A scrappy own goal on the hour and Harry Limb’s late clincher put the Poachers in the next round of the Vase and left the Tigers still searching for a first win this season.
But a much-improved first half showing put the memory of the 6-0 loss at Anstey Nomads the previous week to bed and gave Holbeach reason to be hopeful.
“We competed much better than we have been doing,” said Barnes. “Performance-wise, this was vastly superior to the Anstey Nomads loss.
“In the first half there wasn’t much in the game, but after the break we started getting involved in things we didn’t need to – and it knocked us off our game.
“We switched off and it cost us, they got the first goal – which was very scrappy – and then we lost Luke Wilson to a sin bin for ten minutes, so we couldn’t really put any pressure on them.
“Obviously you never like losing and going out of the FA Vase is a blow for everyone at the club.
“But the improvement was really encouraging to see and the lads took everything on board.
“I can’t keep saying it, but we haven’t had much luck and really need to start turning our better performances into wins.
“I was pleased with Tyler Wright’s debut, he gave us a bit more knowhow in midfield – which is another plus.
“I’d also like to praise Kyle Compton, who stepped up from the Reserves and made an impact up front.”
Tigers: Drury, Nicholson, Cartwright, N Jackson, Wilson, Wright, Rose, Eyett, Horne, Williams, Compton. Subs: Barnes, Burdass, Carter.
Attendance: 62.
