‘Mad’ boss Hayes backs his Holbeach United side to pull off FA Cup upset

Buoyant boss Seb Hayes reckons that only a mad man would back his Holbeach United side to cause an FA Cup shock at Grantham Town on Saturday (3pm).

But he insists that his Tigers can upset the odds in the First Qualifying Round clash at The Meeres, despite Grantham being two levels above them in the non-league ladders.

A cool £3,000 in FA prize money will go to Saturday’s winner, with Hayes adamant that the game is Holbeach’s FA Cup final.

“I’m feeling confident,” insisted Hayes. “It’s an easy one for us, we’re the underdogs.

“Nobody expects us to go to Grantham and win, they are two levels above us and going well.

“We’ve yet to lose this season, but it’s fair to say that we’ve not been tested by a so-called strong side.

“Make no mistake, this is going to be a stiff test for us and only a mad man would back us to win.

“But do you know what? I must be a mad man, because we’re going there to get a win.

“This is the FA Cup and anything can happen in this competition, that’s what its all about.

“With this group of players, I believe we can give anybody a game on our day. We’ve come on so much from last season and I really believe in the lads.

“To be honest, this is our FA Cup final. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

“Hopefully Grantham aren’t expecting too much of us and have their eyes and the prize money and a big draw in the next round.

“I know what my team is capable of and I’m hoping they’ll prove me right.”

Holbeach, who are top of the ChromaSport UCL Premier Division after beating title hopefuls Yaxley 3-1 on Wednesday night, make the trip to Grantham without defenders Dan Jenkins and Stacy Cartwright.

Grantham are currently second in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division and won 3-2 at Matlock Town on Monday.

Should the two sides draw on Saturday, Tuesday’s scheduled UCL Premier Division derby at Deeping Rangers (7.45pm) will be rescheduled.