Yaxley 2
Holbeach United
A second-half penalty from former Carter’s Park favourite Rob Hughes condemned Holbeach United to a third UCL Premier Division defeat of the season on Tuesday night.
Hughes, a member of the Tigers’ double winning team of 2012/13, converted the decisive goal from the spot at In2itive Park as Yaxley moved level on points with John Chand and Graham Drury’s side.
Holbeach fell behind on six minutes in the big UCL game of the night when Liam Hook fired home a deflected effort for the Cuckoos.
It got even worse on the hour when Jonny Allen was penalised for handball, allowing Hughes to double the home lead.
Jamie Clarke hit back soon after, but Holbeach couldn’t find an equaliser despite intense pressure in the closing stages.
The Tigers handed a debut to defender Kern Miller, signed from South Holland rivals Spalding United as a direct replacement for Jamie Stevens, who moved the other way last week.
But even he couldn’t stop Chand and Dury’s charges from slipping to a potentially costly defeat.
Next up for the Tigers is a trip to lowly Harborough Town on Saturday (3pm), with nothing but a win good enough for the title hopefuls – who remain three points behind AFC Rushden and Diamonds.
Tigers: Conroy, Allen, Cartwright, King, Miller, Spencer, Beeson, Duffy, Dube, Clarke, Parker. Subs: Brown, Steadman, Preston, Warfield, Lovelace.
Attendance: 114
Tuesday’s results
UCL Premier Division: Boston Town 2 Sleaford Town 1; Yaxley 2 Holbeach United 1.
KO Cup: Nothampton Sileby 4 Thrapston Town 1.
