Bullish boss Seb Hayes insists that the next few days will determine whether Holbeach United’s season will be remembered as a good one…or a great one.
Having lost 1-0 to Chromasport UCL Premier Division title hopefuls Wisbech Town on Wednesday night, the Tigers host championship-chasing Newport Pagnell on Saturday (3pm) before making the trip to Lincoln United for the Lincs FA Senior Trophy final against Grimsby Borough on Wednesday (7.45pm).
Points-wise in the UCL Premier Division, Hayes’ Holbeach are the best Carter’s Park outfit since John Chand’s double winners of 2013. They’re unlikely to match that side’s achievement of securing the title, but could follow in their footsteps by landing the county crown.
The Tigers chief insists that it’ll count for nothing if they allow their season to fizzle out and miss out on lifting the trophy – but is adamant that he won’t let his charges slack.
Hayes said: “I’ve told the players this; if we let this season end with a whimper, we’ll always regret it.
“We’ve blown our chance of winning the league by not being able to beat the mid-table teams.
“But we can still achieve our target of a top five finish and winning a trophy. Not many other sides could say they achieved their goal for the season this year.
“So, while it has been a frustrating season, it’s been a good one too. The key to making it a great season will be if we can lift that trophy on Wednesday night.
“As a manager, I’ve won three of the four cup finals I’ve been involved with. But I’ve never won a county trophy, so it’s one I’ve really wanted to win from day one.
“It’s a huge seven days for us and I’m determined that things won’t fizzle out. Infact, I just won’t accept it.”
Hayes also wants his side to complete what would be a memorable double over Newport Pagnell by seeing them off at Carter’s Park on Saturday.
Having already won home and away against table-topping Yaxley, the Tigers chief feels he and his side would be able to take a great deal of confidence from being dominant against two of their rivals at the summit.
“A lot of people wrote us off at the start of the season,” Hayes added: “I know I keep saying it, but it’s true.
“If we add doing the double over Pagnell to beating Yaxley twice, I will maybe remind a few people of their views.
“We didn’t think we’d be in the title mix until mid-April, so that’s something to be proud of. The aim now is to finish strongly, win a trophy and build towards chasing the title next season.”
Luke Avis is Holbeach’s only major doubt for the games against Pagnell and Grimsby Borough, who are second in Division One of the Northern Counties East League and closing in on promotion to the top flight for next season.
