Holbeach United draw with Gorleston Reserves in the Thurlow Nunn League

Manager Callum Lawe was left with mixed emotions after his Holbeach United side returned with a point from their trip to Gorleston Reserves in the Thurlow Nunn League on Saturday.

The Tigers had travelled for the Division One North match missing a number of key players but raced into a three-goal half-time lead.

Gorleston reduced the arrears midway through the second period before scoring twice in stoppage time to salvage a share of the spoils.

Lawe said: "We were talking on the journey there that, if we got a point away from home, then it would still be good for our momentum.

"But, after being 3-0 up and playing some fantastic football which probably took us by surprise a little bit, it does leave you stuck with mixed emotions.

"We probably over-relaxed in the second half. They just went for it and their pressure ended up being too much for us."

The Tigers had made the trip without defender Jordan Oldham who sustained an injury in the Pete Cousins Memorial Cup match last Wednesday.

Harry West was still sidelined with Sam Carter and Oli Williams also absent while Luke Nicholson strapped up an injured ankle to get through the game.

Jake Barsby, Harry Wilkshire and Freeman Hall all stepped up from the Academy for their first team bows as Holbeach made a strong start to the contest.

They took the lead when Denis Coelho and Marley Hamilton combined to set up Josh Williams whose pass to the back post was driven home by Alex Greenfield.

Coelho then converted a low cross from Flynn Hyde to double the lead before firing a low shot into the far corner of the home net after William and Hyde had linked up well.

The hosts hit back with a close range finish from a cross after the break before levelling the contest with two goals in a dramatic finale.

A long clearance was helped on before an emphatic finish was slammed past Holbeach goalkeeper Jack Sellars and then Gorleston forced an injury-time corner where the first shot rebounded back off the post before the loose ball was drilled home.

Lawe added: "All of our goals came from some brilliant play which is something that we keep working on and the boys are understanding. It was good to see some of the things that you're working on coming together.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't get our defensive mind-set and mentality right in the second half. We came out a little bit too reserved when we should probably have gone back on the front foot again and took the game to them.

"It was probably the first time that we have experienced being that far ahead and we relaxed far too much."

Holbeach conceded another late goal last Wednesday night as Boston United Under 23s ran out 2-1 winners in the Pete Cousins Memorial Cup match at Carter's Park.

Pat Kacirek had netted a fine goal for the Tigers before the Pilgrims hit a last-gasp winner to take the spoils in the annual match to remember the club legend who served Holbeach for 75 years.

Dan Roberts was named man of the match by the Cousins family in what was just reward for some fine performances this term.

Lawe commented: "It was a different test for us because, although it was an Under 23s side, they are nearly all out at different clubs playing step five or six football.

"They were lively, energetic and started the brighter team. We found a way back into the game but it was probably a match where we didn't get anywhere near the levels which we had been performing to.

"It was brilliant to see Dan get voted man of the match though. He deserved it because he's probably been our most consistent player so far over the year."

Holbeach host high-flying King's Park Rangers in their next league match on Saturday.