Player/boss Tom Roberts has admitted that Holbeach United’s season could have gone down as one to remember.
Finishing fourth in the ChromaSport UCL Premier Division – albeit 27 points behind champions Kempston Rovers – reaching the UCL Knockout Cup final and enjoying a memorable FA Cup run would be good enough for most Step Five teams.
But Roberts, who took over from Darren Jarvis midway through the season, can’t help but think about what might have been.
“It’s been a season of ifs, buts and maybes,” said the Holbeach player/boss. “It could have been much better for us.
“We had a good run in the FA Cup, reached a cup final and finished fourth. It’s not bad, but we all know that things could have gone differently.
“Inconsistency and player availability were our two big problems, especially since the end of January.
“If we look at the league, we didn’t lose to the champions Kempston but finished well behind them. I felt we did well against the better sides, which is frustrating.
“The last month of the season was a real killer and it’s almost a relief that the season is now over. But overall we’ve got to be pleased with what we achieved as a team.”
Overall, Holbeach played 57 games last term – including 14 in the last month of the campaign.
Roberts is relishing a break from his Carter’s Park duties, but has assured fans that he’s hungry to carry on and improve upon this year’s solid showing.
Roberts added: “I’m certainly hungry for more.
“It’s nice to have a few weeks off and actually talk to a few other football people.
“Obviously we already have a plan in place for next season and I’ll be meeting people one-on-one to see if they want to stay with the club.
“We have a list of targets, but it’s too early to get into that at the moment. It’s important that we are patient now.”
Holbeach rounded off their season with a thrilling 5-3 win over Wisbech Town last Wednesday night.
Jake Clitheroe put the Tigers ahead inside ten minutes at Carter’s Park, but a six-minute hat-trick from Michael Frew (13, 16 & 19) put the Fenmen 3-1 up and seemingly in command.
The Tigers had other ideas, though, with Clitheroe and Lee Beeson both netting to make it 3-3 at half time. Not done there, two second-half penalties from Josh Ford gave the Tigers all three points and a satisfactory fourth position.
Tigers: Portas, Ford, Donald, A Jackson, N Jackson, Pinner, Gale, Beeson, Eyett, Clitheroe, Thomas. Not used: Davies, Drury, Newcombe, Shepherd, Russon. Att: 143.
- Holbeach keeper Ricky Drury has been nominated for The Non League Paper’s goal of the season award after his amazing overhead kick in the FA Cup against Worcester last year.
Amongst others, he’s up against ex-Spalding United striker Ricky Miller.
The result will be revealed next week.
