The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Holbeach United 2
Wisbech Town 0
Tom Roberts hailed his Holbeach United side after seeing them reach the final of the ChromaSport UCL League Cup for the first time since 1990 on Wednesday night.
Goals at the end of each half from Josh Ford (penalty 43) and Sean Coughlan (89) were enough to beat UCL Premier Division rivals Wisbech Town 2-0 at Carter’s Park in what was a brilliant tactical performance from the Tigers.
The derby victory books Holbeach a tasty-looking final with Jimmy Dean’s Peterborough Sports, who are bidding to become the first-ever Division One side to win the competition.
Tigers’ player/boss Roberts admitted that he was “over the moon” with the performance his side produced and felt they were full value for the points.
It’s the second time Holbeach have dumped the Fenmen out of a major cup competition this term, having beaten them 1-0 in The FA Cup back in August.
Roberts saw a lot of similarities between the two games and is now looking forward to the final, which will be held at Deeping’s Haydon Whitham Stadium on Monday, May 2 (3pm).
“I’m absolutely over the moon for the lads,” said the Tigers chief. “We changed our formation and shape – and I felt we got it spot-on.
“(Keeper) Ricky Drury didn’t have a shot of note to save in 90 minutes.
“That’s the second time in two different cup competitions that Ricky hasn’t had to do anything against Wisbech.
“They ran out of ideas and resorted to lumping it forward – but Stacy Cartwright, Jamie Stevens and Nick Jackson will eat that up all day long.
“It took us 15 minutes to get going, as they started brightly and had a little bit of possession.
“But I never felt that they threatened – and once we got a hold of the game, we played some sensible football. They had possession but didn’t hurt us.
“It was never in doubt that Fordy would bury the penalty, but he put in a great performance against his old side. He worked very hard and worked the line well.
“We deserve to be in the final, it’s something to look forward to. We’ll enjoy this win, but our focus has to switch back to the league now and a tough game at Newport Pagnell on Saturday.”
SPOT-ON: Josh Ford opened the scoring for Holbeach. Photo by STEVE RELF
It was all Wisbech in the opening exchanges at a busy Carter’s Park, with a decent crowd of 207 in attendance.
Ricky Drury made an easy save from Ross Watson’s header early on, while a great sliding tackle from Cartwright denied the dangerous Luke Hipwell a shot on goal at the back post.
Strikers Matt Sparrow and Michael Frew both put half-chances off target as the Fenmen continued to call the tune, but they rarely found a way to cut through the resolute home backline.
At the other end, defender Chris Ward – the match-winner against Boston Town in the previous round – blasted a long-ranger just over as Holbeach began to come into the match.
The visitors did go close when right back Watson galloped forward on the right following a swift break, but the ex-Tiger fired his shot wide at the near post.
Just when you thought the sides would switch around goalless, the Tigers pounced to grab the opener in the final minutes of the half.
Ford, who notched 18 times for Wisbech last season, was clipped in the area by Luke Wilson for what looked a nailed-on penalty.
Holbeach’s leading scorer picked himself up to blast an unstoppable spot-kick into the roof of the net – and give the hosts the lead from their only shot on target in the first half.
Drury was called upon to push away Hipwell’s near-post effort before the sides switched around, with Wisbech reacting well to falling behind.
After the break Holbeach began to create a few more chances, with Cartwright nodding an Andrew Tidswell corner wide and Ford seeing a goal-bound effort superbly blocked by Wilson.
A sustained period of away pressure followed, however, with ex-Spalding United forward Frew making a real mess of a great situation when he failed to pick out a team-mate when free on the right-hand side.
The lively Sparrow then had a shot blocked by the titanic Tigers’ backline, before lashing a fierce volley into the side-netting.
With Wisbech boss Brett Whaley throwing caution to the wind in the closing stages, Holbeach were unlucky not to double their lead when Wilson acrobatically volleyed a Jordan Thomas chip off the line. The ball was heading in, meaning Wilson atoned for the penalty he had conceded earlier.
Adam Millson’s tame header was the best the Fenmen could muster in the closing stages, with big performances from Ollie Gale, Matt Warfield and skipper Jamie Stevens inspiring the rest of the side to stand tall in the face of sustained pressure.
You felt there was a second goal in the game – and it was Holbeach who claimed it in the final minute. The speedy Coughlan jumped off the bench to capitalise on some desperate Wisbech defending, before calmly clipping the ball over Aaron Butcher.
It was a fitting finale for the Tigers, who deserved their place in the final after a great all-round team performance.
They now turn their attention to a key league game at Newport Pagnell on Saturday (3pm), with the very faint possibility of a double still on the cards.
After the, Wisbech are again the visitors to Carter’s Park – this time in the league – on Easter Monday (3pm).
Tigers: Drury, Worthington, Ward, Stevens, Cartwright (Jackson 68), Warfield (Coughlan 79), Gale, Tidswell, Thomas (Murrell 66), Ford, Clitheroe. Not used: Roberts, Dougill.
Attendance: 207
