Terrific Tigers pick up two wins in play off chase

Two brilliant performances mean Holbeach United are still very much in the Thurlow Nunn Division One North play off picture.

The Tigers beat Needham Market U23s 3-1 away from home on Saturday and followed that up with a huge 4-1 win at home to Whittlesey Athletic on Monday.
Manager Danny Clifton said: “It was a fantastic Easter and as well as the first team picking up maximum points, there was success for the academy on tour in Holland (Holbeach Academy U13s, U15s and U16s all won their groups in Holland with the U12 finishing second) and the reserves picking up a win over title chasing Crowland Town.
“What makes it even more pleasing is the job the club and management staff are doing with the development of players.
“The academy has already been very successful this season.
“Players are stepping into the first and contributing to the positive results.
“Many home grown players are coming through and performing well, and that makes it even more special.”
On Saturday Will Barnes gave Holbeach an early lead, though they were pegged back by Needham before the break.
The home side then took a 2-1 lead, but the Tigers responded brilliantly, Ryan Cook levelling matters before Sam Carter grabbed the winner.
Clifton particularly praised Cook.
“It was a superb performance and he was a constant threat down the left,” he said. “He has the potential to be a consistent match winner.”
Against Whittlesey, again Holbeach took the lead, this time through Harvey Thorne, but again they were pegged back before the break.
This time though they dominated the second half, Thorne grabbing his and Holbeach’s second before Avelino Vieira and Cook sealed the comfortable win.
“It was a fantastic second half display from the team and another two goals dominant performance from Harvey in the middle of the park,” Clifton said.
The Tigers remain just outside of the play-off places by one point with three games remaining, the first of those a trip to Norfolk side Diss this Saturday.

Tigers v Needham Market: Rigby, Barnes, Carter, Cook, Greenacre, Harris, Hoyle, Ling, Nicholson, Thorne, Vieria. Subs: McConnell, Richardson
Attendance: 37.
Tigers v Whittlesey: Rigby, Cook, Ling, Nicholson, Greenacre, Carter, Harris, Thorne, Yambasu, Barnes Vieira.