Graham Drury has revealed that he’s been impressed with the standard of the United Counties League Premier Division so far this season.
The joint Holbeach United boss, who had managed much higher up the non-league ladder with Boston United, Stamford and Corby Town in his previous jobs, reckons that the standard is higher than he initially expected.
Having steered the Tigers to second place in the table with eight wins from nine games, Drury and his joint-chief John Chand have their eyes firmly on the title.
Drury doesn’t believe that the current top seven – Yaxley, Holbeach, Huntingdon Town, Peterborough Northern Star, AFC Rushden and Diamonds, Cogenhoe United and Deeping Rangers – will change too much between now and the end of the campaign.
But he took the time to praise the quality of the Tigers’ rivals ahead of what promises to be an exciting title race.
“You have to take Huntingdon seriously,” said Drury. “They’ve won all of their games – including against us.
“Yaxley are going really well too. Signing Karl Gibbs was a massive statement from them, we would have liked him here. They’ve also got top talents like Dan Cotton, who we also tried to bring to the club.
“I still think Rushden and Diamonds will be very strong and you can’t ignore Cogenhoe’s start.
“It’s a really good league, I’ve been impressed. The top seven teams are very strong and I can’t see many teams breaking into it – I think that’s how it will finish, although not in the current order.
“Wisbech Town may be the only team from outside the top seven that could challenge. Dick Creasey is a top manager and they are really getting going now.”
Saturday marks a return to league action for the Tigers, who have progressed in the UCL Knockout Cup and FA Vase since they last played a UCL game.
Drury admits that the various cup competitions have been a bit of an unwelcome distraction for his side, but he was pleased to see them draw Gorleston at home in the next round of the Vase (November 1, 3pm).
He’s looking forward to Saturday’s Carter’s Park date with Eynesbury Rovers (3pm) – but has warned his side to expect a tough test.
“I saw them a few times last season,” added Drury. “It doesn’t surprise me that they’ve been the best of the promoted sides.
“They’ve got a good spine to their team and we’ll need to be at our best.
“It’s a real boost for us to get Lee Beeson back from suspension, though. He gives us real balance and we’ve missed him.
“We’ve given a few of the squad players game time over the past few games, but we’ll be fielding our strongest possible side on Saturday.”
Although winger Beeson returns, Holbeach are without injured defensive duo Stacy Cartwright and Matt Warfield. Courtney Meade is also missing after sealing a loan move to Leicestershire-based Saffron Dyanmo, who are bossed by ex-Oadby Town chief Jeff Stocking.
But Drury has sealed a move for prolific Blaby and Whetstone striker Aaron Preston – a player he feels is capable of getting 25 goals for the Tigers at UCL Premier Division level. He agreed terms on Tuesday night, with the paperwork completed yesterday (Thursday).
That transfer spells the end of Ash Fuller’s Holbeach spell. The left winger has been released to make way for Preston.
