Andy Lambert was handed a baptism of fire as he stepped up to take charge for the first time as Hadleigh's new assistant manager.

With big boss Steve Holder having to go to hospital after being clattered by Swaffham keeper Charlie Phillips, Lambert found himself running the show, and securing a fine 2-0 victory over struggling Swaffham.

Holder looked odds on to head in before he was completely taken out by Phillips who was given a yellow card.

The game was delayed for more than five minutes as Holder was treated and he managed to walk off, with help from concerned players and staff.

Holder was treated by paramedics at the club before being taken to hospital as precaution and is today recovering a home with broken ribs and fluid in the lungs.

Joel Glover tucked away the penalty that player-manager Holder had bravely won, and then set up substitute Kade Ivatt for a second to keep the Brettsiders away from the danger zone.

Lambert praised the way the players responded at losing Holder, and admitted feeling guilty at persuading the boss to start the match.

"I convinced him to start today as he was 'umming and arring', so I'm not sure if he has forgiven me yet" said Lambert. "We know what he can do, so hopefully he will be fine."

Lambert stepped up from the reserves to go into the first team dug out and his relationship with the players was clear to see as they responded to his call.

He said: "First game and I had to step up, but it was good because I have been at the club six years so I know I can trust them.

"We know what the players can do but sometimes when you are fifth bottom the confidence is not alway high because you worry about mistakes.

"I just told them, play like when you were kids, enjoy it, play your football and trust each other.

"This was like a club final for us and we had to put as much effort in against the bottom side, as we would a top team. The players did everything we asked, they battled showed desire, everything."

It says much that keeper Nick Punter was barely troubled as Hadleigh defended from the front with Glover closing down, Joe Yaxley and dan Hammett harried and hustled , while skipper Matt Paine led by expanse winning ever ball in the air.

Sam Cheetham bossed the midfield and was instrumental in Hadleigh's second, well worked goal, when he played the bay wide to Glover who bettered the full back, before pulling the all back into the box for Ivatt to finish.

Lambert was quick to point out this is what the Brettsiders are capable of and warned there is even more to come from Glover.

He said: "The goal was quality, which is what they can do, it shows they can do, keep the goal just play and we could have won by more in the end.

"Joel was a huge miss when he went to Brazil so it is good to have him back, and he is still probably just at 60%."

Although his involvement was probably more than he expected Lamber lapped it up and is ready for more, although Holder is unlikely to be starting himself again n the near future

"I loved it," said Lambert. "I know it is just a game of football, but it was brilliant. All I ask is the players give everything. I said to them they keep giving everything, and I will keep coming."

The win moved Haleigh up a place the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division and they go to Mildenhall next Saturday.

Meanwhile, Hadleigh's home game with Brantham which was postponed from the festive fixtures, will now take place on Tuesday, 8 March with a 7.45pm kick off.

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