The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
SOLID: Jonny Clay (left) has established himself as one of the UCL’s top defenders.
One of South Holland’s top defenders is plotting Holbeach United’s downfall ahead of the start of the new UCL Premier Division season this weekend.
Spalding lad Jonny Clay will be the rock at the heart of Peterborough Northern Star’s defence in Sunday’s clash with the Tigers at Chestnut Avenue (11am).
Clay, who won Peterborough and District League Premier Division titles with both Pinchbeck United and Moulton Harrox before making the successful step up to the UCL with Star last season, reckons the Tigers are the team to beat this time around.
And, although he considers Holbeach lads Jamie Stevens and Jonny Allen good friends, he’ll be doing them no favours this weekend.
“I’m really looking forward to Sunday,” said the centre back. “The new season seems to have come around so quickly, not that I’m complaining.
“Holbeach will obviously come into the game as favourites. That’ll be no surprise to anyone with the players they have got and the budget they must be working with.
“Pretty much all of that team have either won the UCL or played higher, so it’s a very strong side. To be honest, the team speaks for itself.
“I was only out with Jamie Stevens and Jonny Allen last week, we had a bit of banter about the game.
“But if they underestimate us we’re certainly a side that will be able to surprise them.”
Indeed, Clay and his Star team-mates have been in eye-catching form over pre-season.
Darren Jarvis and Michael Goode’s side had won all six of their pre-season friendly games before a 3-2 defeat to Boston United on Thursday, scoring 23 goals in the process.
Their stand-out success was a 2-1 triumph at higher-graded St Ives Town – and Clay has talked up the city side’s current squad.
“We’ve got a talented young squad with no egos,” added the former Moulton Harrox treble winner. “We’re not really ready to challenge at the top yet, but I suppose top five would have to be our aim right now.
“We’re full of confidence after a strong pre-season and are more than capable of causing an upset.
“I know personally that I’ll be in for a tough afternoon. The likes of Gary King, Ash Fuller and Lee Beeson are all top forwards.
“Luckily they’ve not re-signed Andrew Tidswell, he’s been different class in the UCL for the past few years.”
Follow @Andrew_Clucas on Twitter for live updates from the ‘Super Sunday’ clash.
