Heacham maintain lead with midweek win

Heacham 3 Holbeach United 0

Fletcher Toll scored twice as League leaders Heacham maintained their slender lead at the top of the First Division North table on Tuesday night.

Toll punished errors by Holbeach goalkeeper Max Rigby to score in either half with John Flanagan also finding the back of the net for the Magpies.

David Griggs’ side stay a point clear at the summit with a game in hand after local rivals Downham Town thrashed Parson Drove 7-0 on their travels.

The home side got off to the best possible start in the second minute after Rigby failed to collect a hopeful long ball from Nathan Davies and Fletcher Toll nipped in to open the scoring.

Despite conceding so early, the visiting Tigers settled well and created a number of openings at the other end.

George Frost was denied by the body of Aaron Watson, Sam Carter was high and wide after trying his luck from long-range while Davies’ cross took a deflection before being gratefully held onto by Watson.

Rigby atoned for his earlier error by making a brilliant save to deny John Flanagan after the Heacham striker had found himself one-on-one with the visiting goalkeeper.

The Tigers were almost back on level terms 15 minutes before the break as Frost’s looping header from John Yambasu’s cross bounced the wrong side of the post.

Heacham doubled their advantage in the 35th minute after Flanagan’s powerful shot from outside the box skidded off the wet surface and appeared to bamboozle Rigby as the ball squirmed under his body and into the net.

Charlie Royal saw an effort blocked on the line by an overworked Rigby before the Holbeach shotstopper pulled off a stunning point-blank save to thwart Toll as the home side went in search of a third goal before the break.

Danny Clifton’s side started the second half on the front foot and were handed a golden opportunity to get themselves back into the game when Davies was fouled in the box and the Tigers were awarded a penalty.

Davies picked himself up to take the spot-kick but fired it high over the crossbar – much to the delight of the home supporters.

Holbeach were made to pay for the miss a few minutes later as Rigby was caught in possession and Toll slotted the ball into the empty net.

Heacham had other chances to increase their lead with the hard-working Royal glancing a header wide of the target in the final 15 minutes.

The Magpies are back in home action on Saturday when play-off chasing Cornard United are the visitors to the Heacham Sports Field.

Heacham: Watson, Akers, Clunan, Daw, Dear, Rawlings, Goss, Toll, Davies, Davies, Royal. Subs (all used): Rawlings, Gibson, Lammiman, Falcao and Fox.

Attendance: 120.