Holbeach United 1
Wisbech Town 3
Seb Hayes admitted that his Holbeach United side didn’t do the basics right as Wisbech Town handed them a 3-1 ChromaSport UCL Premier Division reverse on Boxing Day.
Goals from Fenmen frontmen Billy Smith (33 and 68) and Michael Frew (42) sank the Tigers at Carter’s Park, with Ollie Pinner (89) replying with a late consolation.
Holbeach’s Dan Dougill and Wisbech’s Sam Murphy both saw red in the closing stages, but the visitors already had the points wrapped up.
It was a second successive derby defeat for Hayes’ side after the pre-Christmas reverse at Deeping Rangers – and that doesn’t sit well with the new chief.
“It wasn’t our best performance,” admitted the Tigers supremo. “It was a day when we didn’t do the basics right and made a few silly mistakes.
“To lose two derby games on the spin has really dented my mood after two wins in my first two games.
“We’ve got a small squad here, so it’s tough to not have Jamie Stevens, Tommy Treacher and a fully-fit Stacy Cartwright to pick from.
“But we’ve got quality here and those players will soon be back with us.
“What I will say is that this run of two defeats won’t be allowed to carry on, we’re committed to nipping it in the bud.”
“We’ve had a good chat and decided that we’re going to try and create a bit of a siege mentality here.
“There will be no criticism of each other coming out of the club and we’ll be looking at it like it’s us against the world.
“We’re going to train hard and attempt to improve our standards.
“My standards are very high and all I’ll be concentrating on over the next few weeks is us.
“Who we are playing isn’t important. I just want to get things right with Holbeach.”
Tigers: Drury, Walton, Shepherd, N Jackson, Tinkler, Warfield, Madigan, Pinner, Eyett, Munton, Ford. Subs used: Cartwright, Dougill, P Smith. Not used: Ward.
Next game: Desborough Town (away, January 7, 3pm).
