Holbeach United boss Seb Hayes is hoping that Friday night’s derby at Peterborough Northern Star is the start of a new trend in the ChromaSport UCL Premier Division.
Friday night fixtures are something of a rarity in the division, but Hayes reckons that the Tigers – along with the likes of Star, Wisbech Town, Peterborough Sports and Yaxley – should take the lead in making them a regular occurrence.
The Holbeach chief reckons at least 50 more fans will visit The Branch Bros Stadium tonight (7.45pm KO) than would have been the case on Saturday and doesn’t see any negatives to the switch in date.
“I’m all for Friday night games,” said an excited Hayes. “I think it’s something we should do much more of in the UCL.
“When you get two of the local teams paired together on a Saturday, I think moving it to a Friday night makes sense for everybody.
“For starters, it probably adds an extra 50 to the gate. Fans, managers and players from other sides are likely to come down and have a look and it gives the game much more exposure.
“Hopefully Northern Star get a bit more money from this game than they’d normally do – and if the roles are reversed next season, I’d be keen for them to come to us on a Friday. The likes of Peterborough Sports, Yaxley, Wisbech Town Deepimg Rangers and Holbeach should definitely think about making it a more regular thing.”
For Hayes, the game marks a return to one of his former clubs.
He took sole charge of Star in September 2016 before being forced to step down due to personal reasons.
He feels finishing 17th represented a good job with what was a young city side and is looking forward to going back to Chestnut Avenue – as long as his new side collect all three points. The Tigers have ten games left to play, with Hayes admitting he’s set them a private points target.
“I loved my time with Star,” added Hayes. “I probably spent four years there in total, be it coaching or managing.
“I only really left because of my own personal circumstances. But I go back there as Holbeach manager and with the best job I’ve ever had in football, it’s funny how things work out.
“I felt I did a good job there and I’m looking forward to seeing a few old faces – but first and foremost it’s all about us getting the win.
“We’ve got ten games left to play and I’ve set the lads what I believe to be an achievable target.
“We’re a united group and we’re all keen to finish as high as we can. On a personal level, I’m keen to justify why Hobeach decided to give me the job and prove that the management team and I have what it takes to succeed here.”
Holbeach make the trip to Star without injured frontman Tommy Treacher, while Ollie Pinner (hernia) is a doubt.
New signing Charley Sanders, who scored on his second Holbeach debut on Saturday, will be treated with caution by Hayes. He’s likely to be slowly built up over the next few games, having not featured much for former club Yaxley in the final few months of his time there.
Holbeach (8th) are 18 points and five places ahead of Star (13th) in the table and won the reverse fixture 2-0 back in September.
