HOLBEACH UTD U/11s 16 NORTHERN STAR YELLOW U/11s 1: A FANTASTIC four players notched hat-tricks as scorching Holbeach slammed 16 goals.
The young Tigers started the match slowly and were behind within minutes of the kick-off. But this jolted the team into action and Lewis Turner, playing up front instead of in his usual midfield role, scored a terrific treble within the first ten minutes.
Further pressure from the Holbeach midfield of Jordan Olive and man-of-the-match Liam Sandall set Harry Collishaw and Harry Machin free to score a goal each, before Turner bagged again to give his side a 6-1 lead at half-time.
Holbeach started the second half in the same manner and quick goals from Louis Preston and Sandall within five minutes of the restart effectively ended Northern Star’s chances of a comeback.
With keeper Matthew Wilshire and the defence of Tom Tyler, Tom Coley, Callum Matthews and Fenn Storey largely spectators, further goals from Preston, Machin and Sandall saw them each achieve a hat-trick, with a late goal from Olive rounding off a comprehensive victory.
HOLBEACH UTD YELLOW U/16s 0
STAMFORD U/16s
(Holbeach won 5-4 on penalties)
MARCUS Clifton was the hero as Yellow booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Lincs Cup after a penalty shoot-out.
Despite playing against the strong wind in the first half, Luke Want saw an effort blocked and Danny Wilshire fired an effort into the side netting after outpacing the defence.
Stamford upped their game after that and Holbeach were indebted to keeper Clifton, who pulled off three stunning stops.
Just before the break Kiran Bhondi had a close-range effort cleared off the line, but the young Tigers were the happier of the two sides at the interval.
After the break Want saw his lob drop just over the bar, Matt Rose had a well-struck free kick saved and Jamie Casey fired a deflected effort wide, before Stamford missed a late chance to snatch the win in the dying seconds.
With no extra time played, the game went to a dreaded shoot-out. Casey, Ben Nottingham, Craig Weightman, Rose and Want all scored, with Clifton pulling off a fine save from Stamford’s sixth attempt.
BLACKSTONES U/15s 1
HOLBEACH UNITED U/15s 2
HOLBEACH took the spoils in their first game back after the Christmas break.
Playing with the ample wind behind them, it soon became apparent that this would be to no advantage. Blackstones scored with their first attack when sloppy defending allowed a cross from the left to be headed home.
It was short-lived though, as some good neat passing by man-of-the-match Harte and Philip created an opening for Stella to equalise with a powerful finish.
The young Tigers then stepped on the gas for the second half and were rewarded when Lachasseigne skipped through to score the winner.
HOLBEACH UNITED U/14s 2
FISHTOFT U/14s 2
(Fishtoft win 3-1 on pens)
IT was penalty heartbreak for the young Tigers as Fishtoft ended their cup dreams.
The wind played a big part in the game, with both teams being in control when it was at their backs.
Fishtoft went in ahead at half time, but Josh Cross levelled after Louis Steadman’s free kick was well saved.
That’s how it stayed until Steadman put Holbeach ahead in the first half of extra time. It looked like the Tigers would hold out, but with three minutes left Fishtoft equalised.
In the shoot-out, only Daniel Penney managed to score his spot kick.
WISBECH SM PURPLE U/13s 1
HOLBEACH UTD U/13s 9
RESURGENT Holbeach bounced back from the previous week’s Northern Star beating in real style.
Playing a depleted Wisbech side, the young Tigers soon raced into a 3-0 lead though Freddie Pearson, Luke Barnes and Levi Buttland.
With the wind playing havoc, Jamie Balding then nodded in his first competitive goal.
After the break, the Tigers kept the ball on the ground and fired five more goals through Pearson, Buttland, Palmer, Issitt and Cameron Rickerby.
Craig Peeling pulled one back for Purple, but the Tigers had long since secured a win that moves them back up to second in the table.
PINCHBECK UTD U/12s 1
HAMPTON REDS U/12s 3
LEAGUE leaders Hampton were fortunate to beat impressive Pinchbeck.
In a goalless, yet physical, Pinchbeck were solid at the back, with Lewis Harker making some fine tackles to restrict the visitors.
At the other end, United had plenty of chances but failed to break the deadlock.
Pinchbeck picked up where they left off and deservedly went ahead straight after the whistle, with Jacko Withers running onto a through ball to blast into the top corner from 12 yards.
However, the visitors levelled soon after with a looping volley catching the strong wind and dropping just underneath the cross bar. Pinchbeck battled back and Jack Brown saw a penalty saved after being pulled down in the box, before Hampton edged in front with two late goals.
WYBERTON COLTS U/12s 4
GREENBANK U/12s 0
THERE was no ring-rust from the Colts as they returned from a six-week break with a convincing win in this Mid Lincs Cup tie.
In one their best performance of the season to date, the windy weather conditions didn’t hamper Wyberton’s precision neat passing as they booked their place in the quarter-finals.
Riley Hall stole the show with all four goals, while the defence of Taylor Parker, Connor Goodfellow, Callum Davis, Ben Lawrence, Harry Hancock and Scott Waterfall restricted Greenbank to one shot on target.
CROWLAND U/10s 0
HOLBEACH UNITED U/10s 12
LEWIS Curson and Ewan McCracken both hit hat-tricks as Holbeach helped themselves to a deadly dozen.
The young Tigers struck early, with Mikey Bailey – who worked hard on the left wing – putting in a cross for Lewis Curson to score. Moments later the same player buried his second.
McCracken also got his name on the scoresheet in the first half, before Josh Balding supplied a first of the day for Cameron Oko.
There was still time for William Taylor to hit the bar before the break, while Oko grabbed his second on the stroke of half time to make it 5-0.
Goals continued to flow after the interval, with Brad Whitmore and Harry Crunkhorn hitting quick-fire doubles.
A stunning shot from the left wing earned McCracken his second, before both he and Curson bagged before the final whistle to wrap up their respective trebles.
BOURNE TOWN RED U/10s 2
SPALDING ATHLETIC U/10s 2
HONOURS were even in an exciting derby battle.
Spalding started the better and went ahead when Sam Bayley fired home from Jamie Mills’ super pass.
But Bourne responded well and found themselves level when the ball went in off an Athletic player following a scramble.
After the break Spalding went back ahead. Mills again provided the assist, this time for Harry Loveridge to firmly strike the ball home.