Holbeach United chief Seb Hayes has revealed that he’s not overly surprised by the fine form of ChromaSport UCL Premier Division surprise package Desborough Town.
The Tigers make the trip to Ar Tarn’s Waterworks Field for their first game of 2017 on Saturday (3pm), with the hosts currently fourth in the table.
Desborough are seven points clear of seventh-placed Holbeach as they bid for their best season in recent memory.
Hayes saw them in pre-season during his time with Oakham United and felt they were serious candidates for the top six then.
But he sees no reason why his Tigers can’t get back to winning ways this weekend – providing they don’t play with any fear.
He said: “Desborough may have surprised a few people, but not me. They looked very strong in pre-season and the top six is where they belong.
“I know (Ar Tarn boss) Chris Bradshaw well from my time at Kettering and he’s a proper football man. He’s doing a great job.
“It’s going to be tough, but why shouldn’t we be able to go there and win? We can’t go there and be down on ourselves or play with any fear.
“If we’re overawed or worried, we’ll lose. But I know what this team can do – and if we put in the kind of performance we’re capable of, we can win.”
The game will mark Darren Edey’s first game in the Holbeach dugout as Hayes’ assistant boss, having joined the club from Oakham.
Hayes feels that Edey – a former Tigers player – will have a big impact on the players and sees him as the ideal go-between from the squad to himself.
He added: “Daz is highly motivated and somebody I know well and respect.
“His enthusiasm should rub off on the players and he’ll be very close to the squad, allowing me to be more intense as manager.
“He’s the ideal go-between and also a top bloke to go with it. I’m delighted to have him here.”
Influential frontman Tommy Treacher should return to the squad, but fellow striker Josh Ford is suspended.
