Seb Hayes feels that Holbeach United’s trip to Desborough Town on Saturday is a “massive game” in their season.
The Tigers have shaken off a sloppy start to climb up to third place in the Future Lions UCL Premier Division after Saturday’s impressive 4-0 victory over Leicester Nirvana.
With top two Daventry Town and Pinchbeck United both enjoying unbeaten starts and the Tigers already suffering three defeats, Hayes insists that it’s a “must not lose” trip to Waterworks Field for his side (3pm).
But, having gone unbeaten in their last four games, the Tigers chief is backing his side to get something.
“There’s no getting away from it – Saturday is a massive game,” said Hayes. “While I’ve been here, this is the kind of game we’ve often flattered to deceive in.
“I’m hoping that we can do what we did at Rothwell (won 5-0), another side we’d previously struggled at, and get the job done.
“It’s really simple, we need to go there and outwork them. If we don’t, it’ll be hard to get something.
“The way we’ve been playing since the last 20 minutes against Cogenhoe, I’d certainly back us to deliver.
“It’s not a must win game at this stage of the season. But it’s a must not lose, as far as I’m concerned.”
Meanwhile, Hayes has paid tribute to defender Stacy Cartwright, who opted to join league rivals Pinchbeck United last Friday.
The boss waived the need for the seven-day approach for his man, admitting that it was the least the club owed Cartwright after nearly five years of service.
But Hayes does feel it’ll help ignite the rivalry between the two South Holland high-flyers.
“I’m obviously disappointed to lose Stace,” added the Holbeach chief. “There was a chance he could have left in the summer, but he came back better than ever and has been brilliant for us this season.
“I respect him as a player and a man, so when he said that he’d like to go to Pinchbeck, it was only right to make it easy for him.
“He’ll always be welcome here after his great service and I’d love to work with him again.
“There’s obviously a bit of a rivalry bubbling with Pinchbeck, given we’ve both started so well. I take my hat off to them, they’ve done superbly well over the past few years and are building a good side.
“It’s good for the area that we’re both up there and we obviously want the local bragging rights.”
Strikers Josh Ford (banned for three games) and James Tricks (unavailable) both miss Saturday’s game at Desborough.
