Danny Hussey is backing his Holbeach United side to end the perfect start of Uhlsport UCL Premier Division leaders Shepshed Dynamo on Saturday.
Table-topping Dynamo will arrive at Carter’s Park (3pm kick off) with 11 wins from as many games, scoring 35 goals and conceding just one – and that was last weekend in a 3-1 victory over Oadby Town.
The Leicestershire side are ten points clear at the top and have won all five of their away games without shipping a goal, but Tigers boss Hussey insists that this is the kind of game that will motivate everyone at the club.
Holbeach go into the game in fifth place and have only lost once at home in the league all season, with their boss unfazed by their task.
“I’ve spoken to a few managers about Shepshed and the theme seems to be the same,” said Hussey. “Everybody has said how good they are, but also that you can get at them.
“Their start to the season has been really impressive, but I don’t think they are a class above the rest like, for example, Daventry Town last season.
“We’ll set up to try and win the game, I’m certainly not scared of the fixture.
Historically, this is the kind of fixture that Holbeach United relish as a club and, of course, we want to be the side to beat them first.
“That’ll be no different on Saturday, we’re not frightened of Shepshed and I’ll be telling the boys to go out there and get a win.”
Hussey is boosted by the return of red-hot frontman Jonny Lockie for the clash, but fellow frontman Josh Ford is out injured.
Keeper Ricky Drury is also ruled out of the fixture, leaving the Holbeach boss – who says he has “a few options” – needing to sign a replacement ahead of the game.
The Tigers are in Kitmanuk Knock Out Cup action on Wednesday night too, as they visit UCL Division One side Blackstones (7.45pm).
Finalists last season, it’s Holbeach’s second tie against lower-graded opposition in this year’s competition, with Hussey determined to field a full-strength team as he bids to go one better this time around.
He added: “With us being out of both of the FA competitions, we’ll be taking the remaining cup games very seriously – we want to win a trophy this year.
“I’ll not be taking Blackstones lightly and we’ll be full strength for that one.”
Meanwhile, defender Joe Braithwaite has decided to stay at Carter’s Park after talks with FC Parson Drove.
The Tigers reported the ChormaSport PDFL Premier Division side to the Cambridgeshire FA last week after being concerned by their methods in approaching Braithwaite.
Despite that complaint, the centre back was offered a deal to drop down the leagues but Hussey has confirmed that his player has rejected the move.
Braithwaite – who Hussey admits is one of the first names on his team-sheet when he’s 100 per cent fit – played 20 minutes as a substitute during Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Quorn and is pushing for a return to the team.
