Kirby Muxloe 3
Holbeach United 1
Angry Seb Hayes has finally had enough of the inconsistent form his Holbeach United side have displayed during his reign.
The Tigers chief had a few home truths for his under-performing side after Saturday’s shocking 3-1 defeat at ChromaSport UCL Premier Division strugglers Kirby Muxloe.
All of the goals came in the second half at Ratby Lane, with Leon Frey, Josh Burniston and Ryan Seal the Kirby scorers. Stuart Muldrew did haul Holbeach level at one point, but once again the Tigers succumbed to defeat after shipping late goals.
Hayes has never wanted to criticise his eighth-placed side in public, but admits that he can no longer accept what he’s seeing from them.
He branded the second-half performance “a joke”, questioned his players’ fitness and also believes that most of them look like they want the season to end.
“We looked flat and uninterested in the warm-up,” said the ex-Peterborough Northern Star boss. “That continued into the game.
“I’ve previously said that I wouldn’t say anything negative publicly, but I’ve had enough now.
“The second-half performance was a joke. The lads look unfit and most of them seem to want the season to finish now.
“There’s a lot of ability in the squad. We were low on numbers on Saturday, but that side is strong enough to beat most UCL sides.
“But we just don’t work hard or show any commitment and desire. No disrespect intended, but we should go to Kirby Muxloe and win.
“I’d kill for us to have the kind of desire they had. Only Deeping Rangers have outplayed us during my time here. But almost every side has outworked us – and I’m sick and tired of it now.
“I feel sorry for the fans. We have a loyal group that travel home and away, but all they are seeing is rubbish performances from a team that doesn’t seem to care.
“I’m the manager and I won’t distance myself from the situation.
“So I’ll not keep my mouth shut anymore, what I’ve seen is unacceptable and things are going to change.”
Holbeach lost Ollie Pinner, Calum Madigan and Jake Clitheroe before the game, meaning they travelled with a squad of just 13 players.
To make matters worse, right back Dan Jenkins picked up a knee ligament injury and looks set to miss the rest of the season. Matt Warfield was also injured.
Tigers: Drury, Jenkins (Dougill), Stevens, N Jackson, Cartwright, Warfield (Muldrew), Tinkler, Griffiths, Munton, Treacher, Ford.
