Bosses backing Tigers to have a sweet FA Cup run

UP FOR THE CUP: Graham Drury (left) and John Chand.

Graham Drury is hoping that his FA Cup knowhow will steer Holbeach United to a profitable run in the famed competition.

The joint Tigers chief guided Corby Town to back-to-back appearances in the first round proper in 2010 and 2011, where they met Luton Town and Bristol Rovers.

His first taste of FA Cup action with Holbeach is a little less glamourous, with Diss Town their destination in the extra preliminary round on Saturday (3pm).

Diss were thumped 4-0 in their Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties Premier Division opener at Ipswich Wanderers on Saturday, but Drury is refusing to take them lightly.

He said: “The FA Cup is important to us, it can help us bring vital funds into the club. We want to go as far as possible.

“I’ve had a few good runs in the competition as a manager and hopefully I can pass a bit of knowledge on to the lads.

“Diss didn’t make the best start on Saturday, but I understand that they are bedding in a lot of new players. There’s not a lot in the game for me, but they do have the advantage of being at home.

“We go into the game off the back of a positive result against Deeping on Wednesday and I’m sure that we can get a result if we go into the game with the right attitude.”

The other half of Holbeach’s managerial duo, John Chand, is also hoping to see his side make their mark on this year’s competition.

Should the Tigers see off Diss, local rivals Boston Town and King’s Lynn Town are potential opponents in the next two rounds.

Chand sees that as a big carrott for his players when they take to the pitch on Saturday.

“I fancy a little run in the FA Cup this year,” said Chand, who won two county cups during his first stint at Carter’s Park. “I’d be very disappointed if we went out on Saturday.

“There’s a possibility of getting Boston Town over to our place in the next round and then maybe King’s Lynn Town – two teams we’d love to play.

“Obviously the further we get, it’s better for the fans and the club as we’ll bring more money in.”

Saturday’s winners will bank a cool £1,500 in prize money.

Holbeach hope to have strikers Lee Dube and Courtney Meade back in the squad at Diss, while Matt Warfield could also return.

But midfielder Kieron Elliott has left the club for Skegness United in a bid for first team football.

• There is a bus leaving Carter’s Park for Diss on Saturday morning. It will depart at 11.15am and each seat costs £6.

Call 07733 123936 to book your place.