Wisbech Town 0
Holbeach United 1
Darren Jarvis heaped praise on his Holbeach United side after seeing them knock UCL Premier Division rivals Wisbech Town out of The Emirates FA Cup on Saturday.
Gary King’s 62nd-minute winner was enough to give the Tigers a deserved victory in the Preliminary Round clash at the Elgoods Fenland Stadium – and booked a home date with Stourport Swifts in the next round.
The derby win is actually Holbeach’s first competitive success on the road since a 7-0 league win at Harrowby United way back in February.
Boss Jarvis felt his side executed their game plan perfectly and now expects his side to start showing what they are capable of.
“It was a brilliant performance,” said Jarvis. “The guys performed admirably and everybody worked really hard.
“The desire and commitment was there for all to see and we really controlled the play.
“We had a game plan to nullify Wisbech and it worked.
“This feels like a big win, we’ve been solid this season but haven’t been clinical enough in taking our chances.
“It’s great to keep our FA Cup run alive and hopefully this win will help us start to deliver the kind of performances I know we’re capable of.”
Holbeach could have gone ahead early on, but Tommy Treacher – one of a number of former Fenmen in the Tigers team – fired wide after a miskick from Paul Cousins.
New Wisbech signing Chris Bacon then tested the Tigers’ defence twice. He saw an initial effort blocked by a last-ditch tackle, then headed a Chris Rogers delivery over.
Holbeach, however, were on top at this stage and went close when Tom Gosling saw a strike tipped over by Aaron Butcher. Wisbech’s number one also had to be alert to clear when King raced clean through on goal moments later.
The chances kept coming after the interval as Jamie Stevens headed an Andrew Tidswell delivery over and King nodding a corner from the same man against the woodwork.
However, King wasn’t to be denied on the hour as he slotted low into the corner following a delivery from Jake Clitheroe.
The Tigers probably expected a Wisbech onslaught in the final 25 minutes, but it never materialised and they saw they came out pretty comfortably.
The next round will see Stourport visit Carter’s Park on September 12.
Meanwhile, Holbeach have added Nick Jackson and Jordan Thomas to their ranks as they continue to build a squad capable of challenging for honours this season.
Left back Jackson, formerly of Spalding United, Stamford and Deeping Rangers, joined the Tigers on Tuesday.
Thomas is a former Lincoln City striker, who played for Spalding last season. He joins from UCL Premier Division rivals Harrowby United.
Boss Darren Jarvis reckons both players will improve the squad considerably.
He said: “Nick will provide us with great competition for places.
“He’s a very reliable and consistent non-league defender that has proved his worth over the years.
“Once we discovered he was available we moved very quickly to sign him.
“Jordan is very talented and is desperate to enjoy his football again.
“I think we’ll be good for each other. Hopefully the move will galvanise him and he’ll get himself going again.”
The Tigers, who visit Boston Town on Tuesday night (7.45pm), have also put a seven-day approach in for Wisbech Town midfielder Ollie Gale.
Tigers: Drury, Worthington, Ward, Warfield, Cartwright, Stevens, Clitheroe, Tidswell, Gosling (Maltby), Treacher, King. Not used: Clay, Keeble, Newcombe, Madigan.
