Danny Clifton insists that Holbeach United will need to keep on improving if they are to build on their winning start to life in Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League Division One North.
Having defeated Needham Market under-23s 4-2 in their opener last weekend, the Tigers face their first away game of the campaign this Saturday as they visit Debenham LC (3pm).
Clifton, who was pleased to notch his first win as joint boss alongside Simon Roberts, knows that tougher tests await his side in their new league – and admitted that skipper Ben Calvert, who played in the league with FC Parson Drove last season, told his team-mates just that after the game.
“I wasn’t sure – and still am not overly sure – what to expect from this league quality-wise,” said Clifton. “Needham Market looked very young last weekend and they were sound technically.
“That’s not a dig, it’s an outstanding achievement for Needham Market to have an under-23 side at step six of the non-league ladder and that’s a model that clubs like us should look to emulate.
“But Ben Calvert, who was captain on Saturday and knows the league, stood up afterwards and told the lads that much harder tests are ahead.
“Needham Market were a bottom three team for last season, so I think it was important for the team to hear that having had to battle so hard for the win.
“I don’t think we can use them as a barometer for the strength of the teams in this league, it’s something we’ll look forward to discovering ourselves as the season progresses.
“Debenham is another step into the unknown for us and we’re all looking forward to it.”
Having both scored in Saturday’s win over Needham Market, strikers Cal Davies – who starred with a hat-trick – and Kyle Compton are both unavailable for the next three games due to a holiday.
It’s not ideal for Clifton’s side, who will be up against a team that drew 3-3 at Huntingdon Town in their opener and finished 11th out of 16 teams last year.
