Holbeach bow out of FA Vase to Loughborough University
Holbeach United saw their second road to Wembley shut off in as many Saturdays after an FA Vase exit to Loughborough University at Carter's Park.
The Tigers were looking for a repeat of their KitmanUK Knockout Cup semi-final win against the Scholars in February.
But manager Phil Barnes was dealt a blow before the match when left back Tom Smith was ruled out with a tight hamstring, with ex-Pinchbeck United player Tyler Finlay called in to replace him.
Holbeach were also without defender Joe Braithwaite, injured strikers Michael Frew and Liam Tunstall, as well as suspended midfielder Joe Smith who was sent off in his side's Emirates FA Cup preliminary round defeat at home to Sheffield last Saturday.
It took Loughborough just ten minutes to take advantage of their opponents' misfortunes as Kieran Smith crossed into the box for Tom Iaciofano to loop a header over Holbeach keeper Ricky Drury.
Iaciofano then made it 2-0 with a close range tap-in created through good work by Tope Fadahunsi.
The two sides exchanged goals before half -time, Loughborough scoring first through Fadahunsi before Josh Ford hooked a volley in from the edge of the box.
Early in the second half, Holbeach were awarded a penalty which Ford struck against the crossbar and Loughborough made the home side pay when Cain Noble slotted in a fourth goal on 55 minutes.
Fadahunsi scored his second, and Loughborough's fifth with 24 minutes to go, leaving Holbeach without a win in their five competitive games so far this season.
Manger Phil Barnes said: "Loughborough were strong in the first half and we didn't really get close to them.
"They scored three goals before Josh Ford gave us a glimmer of hope ahead of half-time with a goal like the one he got against Kirby Muxloe in the FA Cup.
"We had a good ten minutes in the second half when we were awarded a penalty and if that had gone in, it might have been a little bit different.
"For me, they'd learned a lot from when we played them last season as, this time, they surprised us with amount of long balls they played.
"Last season, they tried to play football all the time and although they did play a bit on Saturday, they used the long ball as well.
"We didn't create as many chances as we've done on previous games.
"But Loughborough didn't really let us and it showed that we're a few experienced players short at the moment."
Holbeach host GNG Oadby Town on Saturday when Braithwaite and Tom Smith are hoping to be back.
HOLBEACH UNITED: Drury; Wilson, Fairweather, Tinkler, Finlay; Dougill, Jackson; Lockie, Barnes, Elston; Ford. Subs: Withers, Smith, J. Clark, R. Clarke, Lovelace.
