Hayes happy to see Holbeach United win when not playing at their best

Holbeach United 1
Harborough Town 0

Josh Ford’s second-half header fired Holbeach United to a scrappy 1-0 victory over Harborough Town on Saturday as they extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches.

Striker Ford nodded home at the second attempt from a corner 20 minutes from time at Carter’s Park to settle a clash that was very much the clichéd game of two halves.

Visitors Harborough bossed the opening period and were unlucky not to go ahead when Harry Henbury saw his strike ruled out for offside after it brushed one of his team-mates on its way into the net.

Before then, Ricky Drury pulled off a smart save with his feet to keep out Aaron Preston, while Daniel Forbes rose high to head an effort onto the post.

Holbeach improved after the interval and began to dominate possession without ever really opening up the visiting defence.

However, they grabbed the only goal from a set-piece on 69 minutes.

Great feet from Will Bird – introduced as a substitute on the hour – won a corner, which led to Ford notching his tenth of the campaign.

“We didn’t really play that well at all,” admitted Hayes. “They certainly outplayed us in the first half.

“The second half was better – it couldn’t have been any worse – and we certainly could have won by a few more goals in the end.

“We changed the shape a bit and it certainly helped us get a foothold in the game.

“It was a scrappy, horrible game of football that you can get at this time of year.

“The obvious positive is that we won the game despite playing quite badly and kept a clean sheet. I’ll never complain about that.

“In the end it was Fordy who got us the points, heading home from a corner after the keeper had made a save. That kind of goal is food and drink for him.

“We’re some way off the top, but all that we can do is keep on winning and do our bit.”

The win makes it an impressive nine victories and two draws from Holbeach’s last 11 games, dating back to the 2-2 draw with Cogenhoe United September 15 and they stay fourth in the table.

Tigers: Drury, Harker, T Smith, Clay, Braithwaite, Jackson, Whyatt, B Smith (Barker 85), J Smith, Ford, Tricks (Bird 60). Not used: Clarke, Stevens.

Attendance: 90.