Deeping Rangers 2
Holbeach United 2
(Holbeach win 3-2 on penalties)
Cup kings Holbeach United booked their third Lincs FA Senior Trophy final appearance in four years with a dramatic penalty shoot-out success over Deeping Rangers on Tuesday night.
A clever Ben Brown finish (17) put the Tigers ahead at the Haydon Whitham Stadium, but two goals early in the second period from Charlie Coulson (48 and 54) turned the game on its head.
However, a deflected Jonny Allen strike a minute later restored parity and ensured that the all UCL Premier Division affair went to spot-kicks.
Lee Dube, Lee Beeson and Ollie Pinner all scored in the shoot-out to send a weakened Tigers team into the final, where they will play one of Barton Town Old Boys, Winterton Rangers, Cleethorpes Town and Louth Town.
John Chand, who was in sole charge of Holbeach on the night in the absence of Graham Drury, said: “I think it was definitely the right result and I’m obviously delighted that we’re in the final.
“It’s fair to say that we’ve not prioritised the competition this year – and have mainly used it to give some players game time.
“The likes of Ricky Lovelace, Glen Wells, Ollie Pinner and Matt Warfield came in and did superbly well.
“It’s very important that we remember this when the final arrives and make sure their efforts are rewarded.
“It always seems to be penalties for us in this competition – I remember wins against Bourne Town and Spalding United in past years.
“It’s always great to be in the final. The competition is a funny one and I have no idea where or when it’ll be, but it’s great for the club and the fans and it’s a chance to win another trophy.”
Brown’s opener was a clever finish from six yards after the defender swivelled to fire home from a set piece.
However, two snap-shot strikes from Coulson – one of which was deflected – put Tuncay Korkmaz’s side on-course for the final after the break.
Deeping’s lead didn’t last long as Beeson played a pass through for Allen to fire home, via a deflection from full back Matt Holland.
Gary King missed a real sitter as he headed off target with the goal gaping five minutes from time, but it mattered little as Spencer Tinkler (hit the crossbar), Jamie Graham (saved by Lovelace) and Danny Bircham (also hit the bar) missed in the shoot-out to help Holbeach progress.
Winners under Chand in 2012 and 2013, the Tigers will be hot favourites to lift the county crown again.
Tigers: Lovelace, Allen, Cartwright, Pinner, Wells, Brown, Beeson, Steadman, Warfield, King, Dube.
