Clifton unfazed as Holbeach United are all but relegated after 26th league loss of season

Heather St John’s 3 Holbeach United 0

A much-improved second half performance offered many positives for boss Danny Clifton as Holbeach United lost 3-0 at Heather St John’s on Saturday.

The defeat, a 26th from 29 games in the Uhlsport UCL Premier Division North this season, effectively confirmed the Tigers’ relegation as they’re now 15 points from safety with five games to play and have a vastly inferior goal difference to their rivals.

First-half goals from James Spruce (7 and 22) and Sam Ellis (32) got the job done for the hosts as Holbeach continue to stare down the barrel at an entire season without a win.

But Clifton, who lost key striker Lewis Baughan to a horror tackle that may rule him out for the reason of the season, was pleased with the resolve his side showed in the second half against their fifth-placed hosts.

“I thought we competed well with them early on,” said the Tigers boss. “But once they scored the first goal things got pretty bad for us and 3-0 probably flattered us at half time.

“Losing Lewis Baughan was a big blow and we lost that outlet when he went off. I can’t understand how the tackle on him went unpunished – he’s got four stud marks on his leg that are closer to his knee than his shin.

“Unfortunately, we may not see him again this season, it’s a very nasty injury.

“We ripped things up at half time and decided to change everything, going five at the back and making ourselves hard to beat.

“To be fair to the lads, they executed the plan to perfection and really frustrated them.

“People will say they were already 3-0 up, but their manager and the players were very agitated, and it was clear they wanted more goals.

“From my point of view, I watched them closely and they looked very well organised and well trained – there had been a lot of time and thought going into what they did in the match, from set-pieces on corners, etc.

“They weren’t a team of stars, but are fifth because they are well coached and organised. It’s something we can aspire to next season.”

Tigers: Blake, Gilbert, Harris, Chester, Wilson, Ward, Warrington, Chaudhari, Camfied, Baughan, Radic. Subs used: Carter, Catt, Nuttell. Not used: Berezowski.

Attendance: 50.