Tom Roberts is expecting Cogenhoe United to be out for revenge when they visit Carter’s Park on Saturday.
Holbeach United produced their best performance of the year when they won 5-1 at Compton Park two weeks ago, but player/boss Roberts knows the reverse is likely to be a different story.
The Tigers need three points to keep their thin hopes of winning the ChromaSport UCL Premier Division alive, but the Cooks have derailed many a title tilt over the years.
There is no room for a Holbeach slip-up either, as they go into Saturday’s showdown (3pm) 14 points behind unbeaten leaders Kempston Rovers with two games in hand.
“Kempston are holding all the cards at the moment,” admitted Roberts. “They have points on the board.
“I do think they’ll slip-up at some stage, so we have to be in a position to capitalise if they do.
“Cogenhoe will be a tough one. We may have won 5-1 there a few weeks ago, but they’ll be out for revenge – we can bank on that. This game seems to have come round quickly, playing the same side twice in a row can be hard.
“They have responded well to losing against us and put an in-form Eynesbury side out of the cup, so we know what to expect.
“Cogenhoe are a proper UCL side, they are always there or thereabouts in the top half of the table.”
The Tigers should be boosted by the return of defender Nick Jackson, who is ready to be involved again after suffering a much-publicised calf injury at Rothwell Corinthians last month. Keeper
Ricky Drury is also available again, meaning player/boss Roberts will be back on the sideline.
However, Roberts isn’t expecting striker Tommy Treacher to return to the fold this season. He’s signed dual forms with PDFL Division One side Long Sutton Athletic, as the popular frontman is unable to commit to travelling at the moment.
Roberts should have winger Aaron Eyett available, though. He was cup-tied for Wednesday night’s 1-0 UCL KO Cup quarter-final win against Boston Town.
That result means that Holbeach will host Wisbech Town in the last four this Wednesday night (7.45pm) – and that the scheduled clash with Leicester Nirvana will be rearranged.
