Hayes rues missed chances as Holbeach United pay the penalty in costly home draw

HOLBEACH UTD 1
WELLINGBOROUGH TOWN 1

Holbeach United’s hopes of mounting a serious ChromaSport UCL Premier Division title charge were dealt a blow on Saturday as Wellingborough Town held them to a frustrating 1-1 draw at Carter’s Park.

After blowing a host of first-half chances and seeing the visitors have Nathanael Ansu sent off just before the half-time interval, the Tigers finally broke the deadlock when Danny Brooks fired home a free-kick on 56 minutes.

But, instead of kicking on and sealing another three points, Holbeach were pegged back level again when Justin Dowling scored from the penalty spot 17 minutes from time.

To make matters worse, Holbeach then saw sub Matt Warfield given a red card for alleged dissent.

And, with title rivals Yaxley, Wisbech Town and Newport Pagnell Town all smashing six goals while they were dropping points, it was a bad day for Seb Hayes’ side.

The Tigers chief, who was again unable to manage his side due to his stadium ban, admitted that the result summed up Holbeach’s shortcomings.

He said: “From what I’m told, the lads didn’t fancy it.

“We created our own problems as usual. When things go against us, we tend to pick fights with each other.

“With the amount of chances I hear we created, we could have walked away with an 8-2 victory.

“Ricky Drury has had to make a few saves, but it seems they were much more clinical than us – which has been a problem all season.”

The first period saw Adam Speight force a top save from Ricky Drury and then hit the post, while Nick Jackson and Brooks both rattled the woodwork before the break.

Ansu was then sent off for two yellows, setting the stage for Brooks to deceive the visiting keeper with a looping free-kick from near the halfway line.

However, Adam Jackson’s challenge on Albert Akinremi gave Dowling the chance to level from the spot, with Warfield’s red the final insult.

Tigers: Drury, Braithwaite, Cartwright, N Jackson, A Jackson, Griffiths (Sanders 63), Smith (Tinkler 79), Brooks, Avis (Warfield 68), Bird, Leckie. Not used: Zuerner.