Ward's winner is knockout blow

Chris Ward celebrates his winner for Holbeach in the league game at Boston

He earned three points for Holbeach United in the UCL Premier Division trip to the DWB Stadium in September.

And on Wednesday night, Ward booked a semi-final tie in the Knockout Cup at home to Wisbech Town next week.

Considering he hasn’t got any other goals during the campaign, it’s fair to say he enjoys facing Boston Town.

Ward’s winner came on the half-hour mark when he hooked home after Josh Ford’s far-post challenge following Andrew Tidswell’s corner.

However, the Poachers were unhappy over the set-piece being awarded as they argued Tidswell had dived in a bid to win a free-kick on the edge of the penalty box.

Tidswell had seen a shot cleared inside the six-yard box by Jason Field while Ford and Jake Clitheroe also had chances before the deadlock was broken.

Rick Drury tipped over an early effort by Richard Ford but the depleted visitors came very close to a late leveller as Ryan Parnell hit the post.

Field and Tom Lempard missed the target at the start of the second half as Boston showed spirit.

However, Holbeach held on to the advantage thanks to their first clean sheet since December and another Ward winner against the Poachers.

HOLBEACH UNITED

4-4-2: Drury; Worthington, Cartwright, Ward, A Jackson; Thomas, Tidswell, Warfield, Gale (sub Murrell 75 mins); Clitheroe (sub Coughlan 72 mins), Ford. Subs not used: Dougill, N Jackson, Roberts.

BOSTON TOWN

4-2-3-1: Lowth; Butler, Field, Ford, Fleming; Lempard, Elston; R Parnell, J Parnell, Borbely; Beck. Subs not used: Callaby, Dykes.

REFEREE

Lee Newton.

GOAL

Ward (30 mins, 1-0).

BOOKINGS

R Ford, J Ford (fouls).

ATTENDANCE

121

ENTERTAINMENT

★