Boston Town 1
Holbeach United 2
Lee Beeson’s clinical penalty on the stroke of half time earned Holbeach United instant revenge over rivals Boston Town on Tuesday night.
Having been dumped out of the FA Cup by the Poachers on Saturday, the Tigers bounced back in the best way possible by making it five wins from as many UCL Premier Division games this season.
Midfielder Jake Duffy slotted Graham Drury and John Chand’s charges ahead with a cool finish on 20 minutes at the DWB Stadium, only for Matt Kennedy to level with a hotly-disputed penalty (39) soon after.
Parity only lasted six minutes, however, with Beeson expertly dispatching a spot-kick at the other end following another debatable decision for a foul on Gary King.
Holbeach then held firm in a tight second period to keep their perfect league record intact – and co-boss Drury was delighted with the character his side displayed.
He said: “It was important to bounce back. But all credit to Boston, this is a difficult place to come – especially midweek.
“I was chuffed with the work ethic. We looked strong and showed a different side to us as a team.
“We were low on numbers and arrived with just the basics – but still asked for a performance. I thought we responded well to their penalty. I had a bad view of both theirs and ours if I’m honest, so I’ll not comment.
“What I will say is that it was a different kind of win – and it’s good to see us get a result when we have to scrap for it.
“Sometimes a scrappy win is just as good as thrashing someone four or five nil. I like what Nathan Collins is doing at Boston, they’re a good side and will take important points off teams this year.”
After a scrappy start, the game came to life when Duffy broke the deadlock.
He profited from some pretty sloppy defending to side-foot a low effort into the net from eight yards.
That signalled the start of a purple patch for the visitors, with Beeson volleying a Fuller cross into the side netting, Danny Spencer heading just wide and leading scorer Lee Dube denied by a smart Rob Zand save when clean through on goal.
However, Boston were level six minutes before the break when Lori Borbely pinched the ball off Ashley Fuller and was brought down just inside the penalty area.
The Tigers felt it was a dive, but Kennedy stepped up to fire agonisingly under the dive of Nick Conroy.
The referee levelled things up with another soft penalty award at the other end, with King dispossessing Tim Lowe in the area before being fouled by the defender.
It looked dubious, but Beeson – reliable as ever – rifled Holbeach ahead with a typically emphatic finish.
The second half failed to live up to the drama of the first, but the Tigers did spurn a few chances to extend their advantage.
Duffy fired wide from a tight angle, while King was denied by the legs of Zand after getting in behind.
Boston had their moments too, with Craig Mitchell wasting a great chance when taking too long to make up his mind before being robbed by Fuller in the box and Aaron Eyett also flashed a powerful effort wide of the near post.
Neither side could add to the tally though, meaning the Tigers continue their excellent recent league form at the home of one of their nearest rivals.
Joint Tigers chief Chand added: “This was always going to be hard. The scoreline looks close, but it would have been hard on us if we hadn’t won.
“Our penalty was soft, but their one was a dive. Saying that, if he gives our penalty it should really be a red card.
“Teams will come here and drop points – plain and simple. We wanted to hit back after Saturday and have done just that.”
Holbeach skipper Jamie Stevens was equally chuffed with the win. He added: “Obviously Saturday was very hard for us, we all felt a bit deflated after that.
“This was a different game – but it will be when you play 11 against 11. You can see by our reaction at the final whistle that it meant a lot to us.”
After the game, both Drury and Chand confirmed that they believe a deal for Holbeach to sign Wisbech Town’s Stacy Cartwright has been completed – although the Fenmen aren’t convinced he’ll actually be leaving for Carter’s Park.
More on that when we have it.
Tigers: Conroy, Allen, Spencer, Pinner, Meade, (Delahoy 90) Stevens, Beeson, Duffy, Dube (Keeble 90), King (Orrey 80), Fuller. Not used: Murrell, Lovelace.
