Parker brace on debut gives Louth Town a tonic cup win over Swallownest
New signing Brenden Parker netted twice on his Louth Town debut as they beat high-flying visitors Swallownest 2-0 in the UCL Cup win on Saturday.
After three successive league defeats, boss Carl Martin said the win was the perfect tonic needed and had high praise for his new striker.
“I was absolutely delighted – we have bounced back really well,” he said.
“I was really pleased with the performance. It was a game of two halves really.
“First half we were excellent and scored two goals with our new signing grabbing a brace.
“Then second half we managed the game really well after Swallownest had come at us.
“Fair play to the lads as we had 10 players missing this weekend due to suspensions and unavailability and so on.
“It was the response we wanted and will hopefully give us a bit of confidence and belief to now kick on and go again on Saturday.”
On the matchwinner, he said: “We signed Brenden from Pinchbeck and it was his debut on Saturday.
“He came in and did really well. He took his two goals really well and led the line superbly.
“We were really pleased with him. It was a great start and he has hit the ground running.
“We had been keeping an eye on Brenden and he had scored a couple of goals for Pinchbeck early doors.
“He was someone who became available and we pounced and we're delighted to get him on board.”
Swallownest arrived in fourth place in the table to face a Louth side low on confidence.
A rasping strike from Ethan Scott hit the Swallownest bar from 25 yards on 16 minutes, but four minutes later a slack back pass from a defender allowed Parker to finish nicely.
Five minutes later Paul Coulam slid a ball round the corner for Parker to smash home a great strike for his second.
Crucially, a super stop from Alex Lait just after the break with an outstretched arm in a one on one situation denied the visitors a way back.
Louth now host Shirebrook on Saturday before a trip to Southwell City next Tuesday and Martin added: “We signed Finley Hipkin from Harrowby last week and he was unavailable on Saturday, so hopefully he will make his debut on Saturday.
“We are still looking for players and putting our feelers out but at the moment I don't expect anything to happen this week.
“Shirebrook are in the top six at the moment and a good outfit. They will be there or thereabouts this season.
“But the cup win gives us some confidence and a bit of a platform to stop the rot. We need to start picking up points fast and climb that table as quick as we can.”