Josh Ford has warned his Holbeach United team-mates that they face a tough test in their Emirates FA Cup derby at Wisbech Town on Saturday.
Prolific frontman Ford joined the Tigers from Wisbech in the summer, so is perhaps better placed than most to comment on the pick of the local cup ties this weekend.
The ChromaSport UCL Premier Division duo are tipped to be rivals in the title race this term, but have got off to differing starts to the new campaign.
While Holbeach had only picked up four points from three games prior to Wednesday night’s 2-0 Carter’s Park win over Harrowby United, Brett Whaley’s Wisbech had won all three of their games before a shock 5-0 drubbing at Yaxley on Tuesday night.
Ford, who actually misses the cup clash because he’s acting as best man at a friend’s wedding, admits that the Fenmen will make life difficult for his team-mates at the Elgoods Fenland Stadium (3pm kick off).
But he reckons that Tigers boss Darren Jarvis has more than enough quality at his disposal to book a place in the next round.
Ford said: “Wisbech are one of those teams that really benefit from a home fixture. Having played there, I can tell you that it’s a brilliant environment play in.
“The facilities are great, the fans are great and it can be daunting for the opposition. There will probably be 300-400 there on Saturday and it’ll be very hard for us to get a result.
“But it’s a cup game, so everything goes out the window. On paper, we’ve got a very strong squad and we are more than capable of getting a result.
“I’ve known I’ll not be available on this weekend for a long time – and when the fixtures came out I was happy to see I’d miss a long away trip to Kirby Muxloe.
“But then this FA Cup game replaced it – and I’m absolutely gutted. Playing against your old club is always fun, I’ve got a lot of mates there and it would have been nice to see a few people.
“There have been a lot of changes, but there’s still the nucleus of the squad I played in there.
“Obviously I’d be happy if we get a draw and bring them back to Carter’s Park!”
Ford, who is Holbeach’s top scorer so far this season with five goals (albeit three of them penalties), admits to not being happy with either his form or the club’s slow start.
He feels that there’s plenty more to come once the team has gelled and reckons few UCL sides can match the Tigers’ potential… on paper.
“I’ve not been happy with my performances,” revealed the ex-Spalding United and Moulton Harrox ace. “I think the team are still learning to play with me, and vice versa.
“For one reason or another, I’ve not done as well as I did last season. I’ve got five goals, but I don’t really count the three penalties.
“The other two were headers and I’ve been missing a lot of good chances – including a few one-on-ones last Saturday – so I need to improve. The same goes for the team as a whole. On paper, we’re very strong – especially the defence with Jamie Stevens at the heart.
“We’ve been sloppy. I wouldn’t say we’ve played well enough to win yet, while we’ve also not really been bad enough to lose. Maybe we’ve been a bit too direct at times, too. But we’ll improve, we’re just not quite where we want to be just yet.”
The winner of Saturday’s tie at Wisbech will progress to host a first round qualifying tie against either Stourport Swifts or Alvechurch on September 12. They’ll also bank £1,925 in prize money too.
Should the sides draw, they’ll replay at Carter’s Park on Wednesday night, meaning Tuesday’s UCL derby at Boston Town (7.45pm) would have to be rearranged.
