Bullish boss Seb Hayes doesn’t feel that his Holbeach United side are under as much pressure as their ChromaSport UCL Premier Division title rivals.
The Tigers hit the summit for the first this season on Saturday after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Harborough Town on Saturday, but dropped back to second after Yaxley’s 8-0 win over Boston Town on Tuesday night.
Hayes feels that pre-season favourites Wisbech Town, Deeping Rangers, Yaxley and Newport Pagnell will be feeling the heat more than his Tigers, who have been the top tier’s surprise package after being written off by many in July.
Amazingly, just seven points now separates the top six ahead of what promises to be the most exciting finale to a UCL season in years.
The Tigers welcome 14th-place Wellingborough Town to Carter’s Park this Saturday (3pm), with Hayes – who will serve the second game of his five-match stadium ban – confident his charges will continue “riding on the crest of a wave”.
He said: “We’re feeling very bullish at the moment. Saturday’s win was a big moment for us.
“As far as I’m concerned, there’s absolutely no pressure on us. Nobody gave us a chance pre-season, but to reach the top in February is magnificent.
“We were 13 points behind Newport Pagnell at one point in December. Since then, we’ve played six of the top eight but still managed to catch them up – with one game still in hand.
“The pressure is on them, Deeping Rangers, Yaxley and Wisbech Town, who everyone fancied pre-season.
“For us, it’s all about proving people wrong. We’ve had people say to us that Holbeach are ‘chokers’ after Christmas or that we ‘fall away’ when the going gets tough.
“This side we’ve got is a combination of players that have played higher, lower, or at teams that haven’t often challenged. We’re proving people wrong and getting a real buzz out of it.
“This side has got real character. We may end up falling away this year, but if we can stay together for two or three years, who knows what we can achieve.
“Can we win the league? I’m not sure. What I am sure is that we’ll keep riding on the crest of a wave and see where it takes us.”
Hayes admits Holbeach have got a problem of a different kind this Saturday, with he and number two Daz Edey – who will again take charge – having an embarrassment of riches.
The Tigers had five players on the bench last Saturday and will do again against Wellingborough, with Hayes insistent that rotating his squad will be key to their title chances.
“For the first time this season, we’ve got a real selection headache,” added Hayes. “It’s going to be hard to pick the team.
“Wellingborough are showing real improvement at the moment, so we know it’ll be a tough game too.
“If we want to win the league, it’s important that we keep off the lads involved and keep them all fit.
“We’ll look to rotate the team, which some people won’t like. But I think that it’s key for us to stay in the mix.”
