A 4-2 win at Kempston Rovers sent Holbeach United 15 points clear at the top of the UCL Premier Division on Saturday, while Spalding United beat Wellingborough Town 5-2 to move within five points of second spot.
A strong first-half was the catalyst for another eye-catching success for the Tigers, as Jason Turner’s first two goals for the club and an Andrew Tidswell penalty put John Chand’s side 3-0 up at the break.
Tommy Treacher wrapped up the points, before two consolation Kempston goals completed the scoring.
Although they’ve played four more games than chief title rivals St Ives Town and Quorn, Holbeach go into 2013 in an enviable position.
Rivals Spalding put their Boxing Day loss at Carter’s Park behind them with a comfortable Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field success over the struggling Doughboys.
Again, most of the damage was done in a fantastic first period – with the Tulips playing some cracking stuff on a difficult surface.
Miles Chamberlain headed the hosts into a tenth-minute lead from Dan Cotton’s corner, but Chris Di Fante levelled with a stunning volley soon after.
It was only a minor blip for the Pat Rayment’s men though, as Danny Steadman rifled them back into the lead on 20 minutes and Jay Smedley added a slightly fortunate third with a cross that sailed into the top corner (39).
Tom James, who had earlier missed two cracking chances, blasted home the fourth two minutes later to make it 4-1 at half time.
The second period failed to live up to the previous 45 minutes, although Wellingborough did grab a deserved second through captain Michael Boyle-Chong’s cool finish (85).
Spalding had the last word though, as Cotton capped a top individual display with a clinical fifth in the final minute.
With the Tulips’ three-point penalty for fielding an ineligible player now kicking in, they finish the year 20 points behind leaders Holbeach in fifth, albeit with four games in hand.
Meanwhile, Deeping Rangers saw their UCL Premier Division trip to Shepshed Dynamo called off. Bourne Town’s UCL Division One home clash with Rushden and Higham was also postponed.
Only two games beat the weather in the Peterborough and District League, with Crowland Town’s 5-3 home win over Leverington Sports one of them.
More football in Tuesday’s Lincolnshire Free Press.
RESULTS
• UCL Premier Division: AFC Kempston Rovers 2 Holbeach United 4; Boston Town 3 Long Buckby 0; Sleaford Town 1 Yaxley 2; Spalding United 5 Wellingborough Town 2.
• Peterborough & District League; Premier Division: Crowland Town 5 Leverington Sports 3; Peterborough Sports Parkway 6 Kings Cliffe United 0.
• Boston & District League: Premier Division: Freiston 3 Fishtoft 5; Swineshead Institute 2 Old Doningtonians 1.
• Division Two: Fishtoft Reserves 1 Leverton 8; Fosdyke 6 Coningsby Reserves 1; Park United 2 Nelson 3.
• Division Three: FC Kirton 7 Pointon A 1; Sutterton Reserves 1 Swineshead Reserves 11.