Holbeach reserves have high expectations from manager ahead of ICA Sports clash

Holbeach United Reserves manager Phil Barnes believes that his side should be winning every week, despite a number of senior players leaving the squad.

The Tigers go into Saturday's Peterborough & District League (PDFL) Premier Division game against Peterborough-based ICA Sports at Carter's Park after a two-week break following a good 5-0 win away to Ketton.

Two goals each for Tom Coote and Jordan Keeble, with Will Barnes also getting on the scoresheet, sealed the win which left Holbeach in ninth place, seven points outside the top six.

Barnes said: "We've been in a bit of a transition during this season as we've lost a couple of big players for us in Jonny Allen and Gary Chappell.

"We also made the decision for Dean Elston and Steve Barnes to play with Holbeach United Sports team to help develop them.

"So the loss of four senior lads has left a big hole to fill and so some of the younger lads have had to step up and learn fast.

"But they are now getting to grips with the PDFL, although like most teams we need to be switched on for 90 minutes defensively and also take our chances."

Barnes revealed that he had no worries about the two-week break affecting his team.

But with three tough away games on the horizon, at Netherton United, Peterborough North End Sports and Parson Drove respectively, Barnes and his players will be looking to get some points on the board in order to keep their winning run going.

"We will start with a tempo I'm sure as a lot of the lads have played under-18s games," Barnes said.

"Meanwhile, some of the senior lads have been involved with the first team.

"But missing two weeks of football is frustrating as we've not been able to build on on the Ketton win."

Meanwhile, Sports take a break from their march towards the Division Three title when they face Division One leaders Crowland Town in the second round of the Spalding Inter-Services Trophy at Snowden Field.

Sports edged a nine-goal thriller at Hampton on Saturday, with striker Joshua Ling netting a hat-trick in his side’s 5-4 win.

The Holbeach side go to Snowden Field on Saturday to take on Crowland who have won four times since bowing out of the Lincolnshire FA Junior Cup in January.

Danny Firth and Harry Grigas were on target for the Abbeymen in their 2-0 win at FC Peterborough in Division One last Saturday.

Crowland manager Phil Colley said: "We struggled for form around December time, although we were unlucky to go out of the Lincolnshire FA Junior Cup to Lincoln Moorlands Railway who are a good side.

"We're sitting at the top of the league now, but there's still a long way to go and we're in for a really good game against Holbeach United Sports on Saturday.

"It's a local derby in some respects so we're looking forward to the game.

"We won the trophy last season and we want to win it again.

"But Holbeach United Sports are flying in their division and they'll come to Snowden Field full of confidence.

"Although will be up against younger players, they'll be fit and enthusiastic.

"The aim for us is promotion and it always has been since the start of the season.

"But if we can win a trophy or two in-between, so much the better."