Seb Hayes has issued an apology to Cogenhoe United on behalf of Holbeach United after a unfortunate mix-up on Saturday.
The ChromaSport UCL Premier Division clash was scheduled for Saturday, but was postponed after an 11am pitch inspection due to standing water on the Carter’s Park pitch.
Somebody from the Tigers let the league know about the postponement, which was in turn Tweeted by UCL official Roger Waker at 11.45am.
But nobody directly told Cogenhoe, who only found out that the game was off when they arrived at Holbeach at around 1pm.
That meant the Cooks endured a pointless 124-mile round-trip – with chairman Derek Wright saying that they’d had “no notice” of any pitch inspection or indeed the postponement.
Hayes admitted that it wasn’t good enough from Holbeach and plans to apologise in person when the opportunity presents itself.
“I don’t know what happened,” admitted the Tigers boss. “I was under the impression that we’d told the league and that they’d inform Cogenhoe.
“But we should have done more and made contact with them directly. To be fair, I’d be fuming if the roles were reversed.
“It’s very disappointing for us as a club and I can only apologise on behalf of everybody here. When I next see the guys from Cogenhoe, I’ll say the same in person.
“There’s no way we wanted the game off. We’re on a great run of form and had a very strong squad to pick from.
“Sadly there was standing water on a few parts of the pitch and there was no chance for the game. We’ll learn from this and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Weather permitting, Holbeach will be back in action at Kirby Muxloe on Saturday (3pm). They will, however, be without right back Jake Walton, who has decided to depart the club.
Hayes wanted Walton to play for Holbeach Reserves on Saturday, but the defender decided against it, instead opting to leave in search of first team football.
Walton has lost his place in the side to new signing Dan Jenkins – and Hayes is adamant that he only wants players who will fight for the shirt.
He added: “Jake missed the Oadby win and I asked him to get some football with the Reserves last weekend.
“He wants first team football and I can’t guarantee anybody that, so he has decided to leave. There’s no bad blood and we part on good terms. But I only want people here who are willing to fight for their place. If I tell a player that they are sub or to go and play for the reserves, I expect them to accept it and prove me wrong.
“Dan Jenkins has come in and made the right back spot his own. He’s a proper Holbeach player and the players and fans have taken to him.
“Sadly Jake lost his place and that’s why he’s gone.”
Hayes hopes that Saturday’s postponement hasn’t killed the “buzz” of Holbeach’s past two wins.
He’s once again got a full squad to choose from for the trip to Ratby Lane – but has warned his side not to take victory for granted against 19th-placed opposition.
He added: “They are much stronger at home and we need to be up for it. I’m expecting a tough game.
“If we go there and think we can just turn up and win, we’ll lose. But if we show the same commitment and work ethic as in the past two matches, I’d back us to get a positive result.”
Holbeach have signed St Ives youngster Tiago Dias on loan. The midfielder joins up with the squad next week.
