Holbeach United’s teens must stay positive and show their abilities in wake of humbling defeat

Loughborough Students 9 Holbeach United 0

Upbeat boss Danny Clifton has urged his Holbeach United players to remain positive despite their perilous plight.

The Tigers were humbled 9-0 at Loughborough Students in the Uhlsport UCL Premier Division North on Tuesday night, stretching their winless run in the league this season to 26 games.

Goals from Joshua Bailey (2), Sid Kerr (13), Dylan Edwards (19, 28 & 56), Cam Moore (44), George Ward (71), Billy Mycroft-Edwards (78), Anthony Lynn (85) sealed Holbeach’s fate at Loughborough University Stadium, edging them ever closer to relegation for the first time in their recent history.

With relegation close to being a mathematical certainty, Clifton admitted last week that all eyes at the club are now on next season.

And, with one of the top targets this summer being to add experience to the squad, he’s challenging his youthful squad to prove that they can play a big part in the club’s future.

Their remaining eight games start with a trip to seventh-placed Melton Town on Saturday (3pm) – and Cllfton won’t be waving the white flag.

“I’m still feeling upbeat,” said the Tigers chief. “At the moment, all we can do is step away from what is likely to happen this season and do what we can to make the best of it.

“The results are tough on everyone. But, as I said last week, it’s all positive off the pitch and we have a plan for next season.

“I’m now looking for the young lads to step up to the plate and show that they belong in this environment.

“We’ve said a few times that we want more experienced players in and around the squad and we’re working hard to try and make that happen next season.

“But these young lads have real ability – you only have to look at the quality of Lewis Baughan’s goal at Newark last week.

“If we can take the pressure off some of them next season and actually build a team that isn’t losing every game, they’ll benefit. It’s now all about seeing who wants to be a part of it.”

Holbeach have lost first-team players Ilyaas Bedar and Alis Hallaci who have opted to leave the club, while Harvey Wirkowski, Ethan Camfield, Loui Catt and Luke Chester are all injury doubts.