The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The saga over Holbeach’s game at Harwich and Parkeston was concluded on Tuesday night and the Tigers made a point.
The Thurlow Nunn League ordered them to replay a game they won 4-2 after the referee failed to notice he’d booked the same player twice late on.
After taking the three points off them, the league ignored Holbeach’s emailed notice the club would forfeit the replay and they were fined £500 with a threat of the same punishment if they did the same to more dates.
So, on Tuesday a Holbeach side with six changes from Saturday’s defeat to Great Yarmouth and without manager Danny Clifton made the 220-mile return to Essex.
They arrived just 30 minutes before kick off which had to be delayed by 15-minutes.
But missing a host of players including Cal Davies who scored four in the original fixture, held the side in the play-offs 1-1.
Ryan Cook gave the Tigers the lead early in the second half before Harwich equalised.
But the side overseen by reserves team manager Mark Hodds held their own to earn a point.
Clifton said afterwards: “I’m extremely proud of everyone involved.
“It was a fantastic effort from all the lads and Mark.
“Well done everyone. You’re a credit to the club.”
A club spokesman said: “We’re extremely proud of our club and everyone involved.
“After a tough week, a hard fought 1-1 midweek away draw against a strong side in the play off places was superb from everyone.”
Tuesday’s trek to Essex came just three days after another lengthy journey to the Norfolk coast, where the Tigers went down 2-1 at Great Yarmouth Town.
The hosts opened the scoring but Finley Henderson levelled, only for George Couzens to net the winner for the Bloaters. Ryan Jacobs was sent off for the home team, with Tigers substitute Joe Millinson also seeing red.
Tigers at Yarmouth: Rigby, Nicholson, Cook, Oldham, Henderson, Carter, Barnes, Wirkowski, Davies, Yambasu, Frost. Subs: Robertson, Millinson, Clifton.
Tigers at Harwich: Waters, Nicholson, Cook, Olive, Ling, Millinson, Yambusa (Aykuz), Wirkowski (McConnell), Keeble (Foster), Ibeneme (Oldham), Frost.
Attendance: `130.
