The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Worried Holbeach United boss Seb Hayes admits that the current “injury nightmare” at the club may force him to dip back into the transfer market.
The Tigers, who crashed out of the Buildbase FA Vase with a 5-0 loss at Walsall Wood on Saturday, were down to the bare bones for Wednesday night’s 2-0 win Sleaford Town and still will be Saturday’s showdown at Northampton Sileby Rangers (3pm).
Hayes feels that six points are a must from the two ChromaSport UCL Premier Division games as Holbeach bid to get themselves into the mix at the top of the table.
Lewis Leckie’s first-half double at Eslaforde Park ensured that the Tigers already have three in the bag.
But, with more than five first team regulars out and loan signings Adam Jackson and Ryan Oliver unlikely to be involved, the Tigers chief feels they may need to bring some fresh recruits in regardless of the results.
“It’s been very stressful,” admitted Hayes. “We’ve got away with it a bit, but Saturday’s loss was a warning sign.
“All teams have injury and selection problems, but ours have been pretty severe. If we’re not careful, it could ruin our season.
“We’ve looked to promote youth players, but it’s getting to the stage where I’m worried about over-exposing them. I’m probably going to need to look at making a few signings.
“The Sleaford and Sileby games are both very winnable and we need six points from them. But we’ve also got a few players on four yellow cards, which would mean more bans.
“We’re walking the tightrope a little as we approach a very busy period in the season.
“The lads are dropping like flies – and it seems to have been the case for quite a few months now.
“We have a strong first 11 most weeks, but the lack of depth on the bench will start costing us if we’re not careful.”
Holbeach hope to welcome back Mitch Griffiths for the Sileby clash, but keeper Ricky Drury is doubtful.
He could join Charley Sanders, Dan Jenkins, Jordan Keeble, Stacy Cartwright and Luke Avis on the sideline.
