Title looks out of reach, but promotion remains the target for St Ives Town
BACK OF THE NET: Aaron Last scores St Ives' equaliser at Holbeach on Saturday. Picture: Gemma Thompson. - Credit: Archant
“THERE are plenty of twists and turns yet to come,” said St Ives Town joint manager Jez Hall after their 2-2 draw with leaders Holbeach United on Saturday.
MATCH ACTION: St Ives' captain Lee Ellison is watched by Jamie Alsop during St Ives big game at Holbeach. Picture: Gemma Thompson. - Credit: Archant
Realistically, the Saints are now extremely unlikely to catch the runaway leaders of the United Counties Premier Division, but as long as they stay ahead of third-placed Spalding, the dream of promotion to the Southern is still very much alive.
POT SHOT: Dom Lawless has space to shoot. Picture: Gemma Thompson. - Credit: Archant
“That point against Holbeach might be massive,” said Hall. “It keeps us ahead of Spalding and they have got some tough games against teams at the lower end of the table who are now picking up points.
ON THE RUN: Jordan Lambert takes control at Holbeach. Picture: Gemma Thompson. - Credit: Archant
“We showed great character to come back from going 2-1 down – and it was a great header from Aaron Last for the equaliser.”
IN HIS DEFENCE: Will Fordham does his job at the back. Picture: Gemma Thompson. - Credit: Archant
But both Dom Lawless and Dan Bannister missed chances they might otherwise have easily put away in a frustrating game for the Saints, who were missing striker Karl Gibbs with a thigh injury. He could be out for three of the club’s five remaining games.
David Cobb gave St Ives the lead with another stunning strike before Jon Stead also missed a great opportunity.
The game could have been all but over in the first half but Holbeach responded with goals from Deakin Napier and Andrew Tiswell and changed things around.
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Last’s excellent header from a corner near the end of the match saved that all-important point.
Splading are four points behind St Ives with just one game in hand. Hobeach haven’t applied for promotion so as long as the Saints stay ahead of Spalding, they could be promoted as one of the best teams to come second in their league.
“In January or February a point away at Holbeach would have been great,” said Hall. “But it felt slightly disappointing on Saturday.
“But there are plenty of twists and turns yet to come. And we have got some big matches.”
Those matches start with the visit of Newport Pagnell Town on Saturday before Holbeach head to Westwood Road for part two next Tuesday.
