‘Shattered’ Holbeach United beaten again as Roberts admits his players need a rest

Holbeach United 1
Eynesbury Rovers 3

Holbeach United slipped to their third ChromaSport UCL Premier Division defeat on the spin as high-flying Eynesbury Rovers took the points at Carter’s Park on Saturday.

Rhys Thorpe fired Rovers into a third-minute lead, but the Tigers levelled when Ollie Gale fired home a fine right-footed effort on the half hour.

Lee Bassett’s close-range finish restored Eynesbury’s advantage in first-half stoppage time – with the same player then seeing a second-half penalty saved by Holbeach player/boss Tom Roberts.

His heroics failed to inspire a comeback, though, with Joe Bradbury bagging the clincher for the visitors eight minutes from time.

The game was the Tigers’ sixth in 14 days – and they handed a rare start to club legend Dean Elston in defence as they fielded something of a patched-up side.

Chief Roberts said: “I think we looked a team physically and mentally drained at the moment.

“We had enough chances to be ahead by half time, but we just couldn’t take them.

“That was the big difference between the sides, they were much more clinical than us.

“Sadly, we just looked shattered. A lot of the lads are in need of a rest, but the games keep on coming.

“We’ve always said it would be a team effort and we’re thankful that the likes of Dean Elston are able to help us out. You know what you’re going to get from people like him.”

The defeat leaves Holbeach facing an uphill task in their bid to finish in the top four – a position now occupied by Rovers.

They now have a trips to Wisbech Town (Tuesday, 7.45pm) and Rothwell Corinthians (Thursday, 7.45pm) to look forward to this week.

Roberts admits that he’ll play different teams in each match, with his players struggling to complete another four-game week.

Tigers: Roberts, Elston, Stevens, Jackson, Cartwright, Gale (Newcombe 80), Tidswell, Warfield (Russon 87), Eyett, Clitheroe (Ward 72), Ford. Not used: Barnes, Donald.

Attendance: 95.

RESULTS (Saturday)

ChromaSport UCL Premier Division: Kempston Rovers 4 Peterborough NS 0; Desborough 2 Cogenhoe Utd 0; Harborough 3 Oadby 1; Holbeach Utd 1 Eynesbury Rovers 3; Leicester Nirvana 2 Northampton Sp 2; Rothwell Corinthians 1 Sleaford Town 3.

FIXTURES

Tuesday (7.45pm): Kempston Rovers v Newport Pagnell; Kirby Muxloe v Leicester Nirvana; Northampton Spencer v Northampton SR; Wisbech Town v Holbeach Utd.