Seb Hayes insists that his Holbeach United side are under no pressure to deliver in Saturday’s Buildbase FA Vase clash at lower-graded Wodson Park.
The Tigers pulled off one of the results of the first round when they upset much-fancied hosts Biggleswade United in the last round.
Saturday’s showdown at Wodson Park Sports and Leisure Centre is a little more low key, but Hayes knows that his side – who are unbeaten in eight games – are taking a step into the unknown.
Fully focused on going for a ‘domestic’ treble, the Holbeach boss admits that he’d “lose no sleep” if his side exit the Vase.
But he is hoping that his charges will use the tie as a way of building confidence ahead of a potentially season-defining six-game run in the Future Lions UCL Premier Division.
“It’s hard to know what to expect on Saturday,” said Hayes. “We’ve got plenty of players missing, so it’ll be tough.
“It’s the type of game that you want to have a full squad to travel with, but sadly things have conspired against us a little. Regardless, days out in the FA Vase are always fun.
“Going away to a team from another league, with everyone on a coach together, usually generates a good atmosphere.
“From my point of view, there’s no pressure from the club to do well in the Vase.
“There are financial benefits and we all want to do well, but the fact is that we don’t have the budget or squad to win the competition – nobody local does.
“My target is to win the league, win the league cup and defend the county cup. I wouldn’t lose any sleep if we went out of the Vase – it’s a free hit for us really.
“But we all want to go as far as we can and will go for the win on Saturday. The very least we want is a draw and to still be in the hat come Monday.
“If we win, brilliant. If we go out, that’s fine too.
“What I will say is that winning in the Vase creates a buzz and builds confidence.
“Our next six games in the league are all winnable and I’ve already said that we want to win all of them to make sure that we’re in the mix come Christmas.
“If we go there on Saturday and perform, we’ll probably win. If not, it’s a 50/50 game really.
“We’ve got winners all over the pitch and are so good off the ball at the moment, so I’m full of confidence.”
Wodson Park, who are a level below Holbeach in the non-league ladder, are ninth in the Spartan South Midlands League (SSML) Division One.
To put that into context, Biggleswade United – who Holbeach beat 3-2 last month – lead the SSML Premier Division. Hertfordshire-based Wodson were also rocked by the shock resignation of manager Neil Draper at the end of October.
Holbeach will travel without top scorer Jack Smith, while fellow striker James Tricks is cup tied.
They are boosted by the return of key defender Jamie Stevens, who has yet to play for the first team this season.
Skipper Spencer Tinkler is also rated doubtful after missing the draw at Newport Pagnell on Saturday.
- Holbeach United eased into the last eight of the UCL Knockout Cup with a 3-0 win over Melton Town on Wednesday night.
Danny Barker (2) and Josh Ford got the goals.
