The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Holbeach United’s clinical finishing proved the difference as they made FA Cup progress at Carter’s Park on Saturday.
The Tigers were probably flattered by the final scoreline as their Eastern Counties Division One visitors created just as many chances in the extra preliminary round tie.
However, some wayward Swaffham shooting and crucial saves from home goalkeeper Ricky Drury helped smooth the Tigers’ passage into the next round.
A scrappy start saw Holbeach draw first blood just past the quarter-hour mark through new signing Stuart Eason.
The summer recruit from St Ives latched onto Tyler Wright’s mis-hit shot, after the youngster had linked up well with Tommy Treacher, to calmly slot home the opening goal.
The Pedlars responded with former King’s Lynn frontman Jack Defty heading narrowly over from a well-worked Mikey Thompson free-kick.
The dangerous Alex Vincent then fired just over for the visitors after linking up well with Defty as Swaffham dominated large parts of the opening period.
Drury was called into action early in the second half with an excellent save to deny Vincent in a one-on-one.
Vincent sent another effort just wide before Holbeach took full advantage of their visitors’ failure to convert their chances.
Goalscorer Eason was the provider this time as he laid the foundations for Jake Clitheroe to double Holbeach’s lead.
The goal rocked the visitors and sparked Holbeach back into life as they added a third a couple of minutes later.
Eason was once again the architect by creating the chance for fellow summer recruit Wright to net his first competitive Holbeach goal since making the step up from Peterborough League side Pinchbeck United.
Clitheroe added his second and Holbeach’s fourth after a punishing a defensive mistake by the Pedlars.
Swaffham still continued to create chances in the final throes with Nick Castellan seeing a shot well saved by Drury in goal.
The visitors’ day was probably summed up when Vincent finally got the better of Drury, only to see his effort rebound off the post and bounce back into the grateful keeper’s hands.
Vincent did finally grab a consolation for the visitors in the final minute as he latched onto Jake Platten’s through ball before beating two defenders and firing home into the bottom corner.
Tigers: Drury, Walton, Cartwright, Warfield, N Jackson, Allen, Thomas, Eyett, Eason, Treacher, Wright. Subs: Clitheroe, Pinner. Not used – Coddington, Davis, Portas (gk).
Attendance: 125.
