Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup derby between Deeping Rangers and Holbeach United should be a spicy affair – according to Tigers boss Seb Hayes.
Holbeach raided Future Lions UCL Premier Division rivals Rangers for defensive duo Tom Smith and Jonny Clay over the summer, while both sides are expected to be in the mix at the top end of the table this season.
That will go out of the window for the Extra Preliminary Round clash at the Haydon Witham Stadium, with FA prize money and local bragging rights the order of the day.
Both sides have made changes over the summer, but Deeping have picked up maximum points from their first two games – albeit thanks to a last-gasp winner on Saturday.
Hayes, who is good friends with Rangers supremo Michael Goode, knows that it’s never easy to come away from his South Lincolnshire neighbours with a result.
“I don’t really care who we play in the FA Cup,” admitted Hayes. “Some managers like to play sides from other leagues.
“It’s no problem that we’ve drawn a league rival – we’re not going to win the competition, so it’s just another game for us.
“Obviously, the fact that it’s a derby adds spice to the occasion and the lads will be looking forward to going there, that’s for sure.
“Both sides have had to rebuild a little over the summer, but for different reasons.
“We’ve taken two players from them and I have no doubt Michael will have them pumped up for the game.
“It’s always tough going to Deeping. We’ll have to be on it – if we’re not, we could find oursleves 4-0 down like we were last season.
“After Saturday’s result it’s inevitable that I’ll make a few changes. We’ll train twice in the week and I’m sure we’ll go there and work hard to make sure we reach the next round.”
One player that won’t make the trip to Deeping is striker Lewis Leckie.
The frontman, who scored 29 goals in his debut season with the Tigers last season, has decided to walk away from the club.
Hayes, who isn’t actively looking to replace the forward, says that he’s disappointed to lose Leckie.
But he admits that the ex-Blackstones and Oakham frontman had fallen down the pecking order after missing parts of of pre-season.
“Lewis has left the club,” confirmed the Holbeach boss. “He told me that he was likely to miss 12 weeks of the season due to work.
“He also knows that he is behind Josh Ford and Jack Smith in the pecking order – and I think he’d got a little frustrated.
“I totally get that, Lewis was top scorer last season and he expects to play. However, he knows that he’s not 100 per cent fit at the moment.
“Lewis is a brilliant finisher, a top striker and a good guy. I wanted him to stay at Holbeach. But nobody is guaranteed a shirt here, that’s the kind of competition that we want.
“It’s a shame to lose him, but we have lots of options and I’m not sure I need to add another striker.”
Holbeach are still without key centre back Jamie Stevens for the trip to Deeping, but fellow defender Clay is pushing for a start against his old club.
Skipper Nick Jackson also looks like he’s left the club after wishing the club “all the best” on Twitter.
Follow @Andrew_Clucas on Twitter for live updates from Saturday’s FA Cup showdown.
