The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Seb Hayes feels that Holbeach United are a dangerous X-Factor in the ChromaSport UCL Premier Division title race – as they are playing without pressure.
The Tigers chief doesn’t rate his high-flying side as title hopefuls, but they do have fixtures against two of the three favourites to win the league coming up.
Hayes, who now feels his side have achieved their season goal of a top five finish, wants them to keep their fine form going and place as high as they possibly can.
They visit Eynesbury Rovers next on Saturday (3pm), before huge home dates with title challengers Wisbech Town on Wednesday (7.45pm) and Newport Pagnell (Saturday, April 28, 3pm).
“I’d say we are guaranteed at least fifth place now,” said Hayes. “Now I just want the lads to keep doing what they’re doing and finish as high as they possibly can.
“We’re approaching a big time in the season as we prepare for Wisbech Town and Newport Pagnell, two of the three sides chasing the title.
“Obviously we’re not looking past Eynesbury on Saturday, they are a top side. But it’s hard not to look at those two games.
“We’re a dangerous side now, as we’re playing with no pressure at all. That’s when we’re at our best.
“I want the boys to relax and play to their best. We want to respect the league and push those two sides to their maximum.
“From my point of view, I don’t mind who wins the league. Yaxley, Wisbech and Pagnell have all been very strong this season.
“For me, I want to see us win the Wisbech game. We’ve been so poor in that fixture over the past few years and they have no reason to respect us as a rival. We’ve been that bad against them.
“I need some reassurance from the lads. I need them to turn up and beat Wisbech and show the fans what we’re capable of.
“I’ll certainly find out what the lads are made of. We’ve got to keep our form going ahead of the cup final in a few weeks time.”
Holbeach are going to be without midfielder Luke Avis for the Eynesbury and Wisbech games after he suffered suspected ankle ligament damage last weekend.
Fellow midfielder Matt Warfield is also likely to be unavailable.
The Tigers go into the game in third place, four points behind leaders Yaxley with a game in hand.
Wisbech are second, level on points with Holbeach and with a game in hand.
Fourth-placed Pagnell are also neck-and-neck with the Fenmen and Holbeach on 80 points. They have a game in hand on Hayes’ side too.
