Thirteen could be a very lucky number for title- chasing Tigers

Holbeach manager John Chand has admitted for the first time that the United Counties League Premier Division championship is now his team’s to lose. The Tigers swept 12 points clear at the top of the standings after a Boxing Day derby triumph over near neighbours and title rivals Spalding.

And Chand responded to that 2- 1 success at soggy Carters Park by setting his red- hot players a 13- win target to clinch the Premier Division crown 10 years after the club’s last title triumph.

Chandsaid: “Ourinitial target for this season was to better the sixth- placed finish we had last season.

“Then we got ourselves into a position where we felt that getting into the top three was a serious possibility.

“But now I have to admit that it looks as though the title is probably ours to lose.

“Twelve points is a terrific advantage and while we have played more games than the chasing pack, we are undoubtedly top of the table on merit.

“We’ve scored the most goals, we’ve conceded the least and we have consistently picked up results thanks to the quality in the squad and an unrivalled team spirit.

“Wehave 16 league matches remaining and if we can win 13 of them I think we will be champions.

“That is obviously a hell of a lot easier said than done though and we cannot afford to take anything for granted.

“You only have to look at what happened to Northern Star last season.

“They had a brilliant 19- match unbeaten run and were taking the l eague by storm.

“But once they suffered a defeat they couldn’t really get going again and ended up finishing outside the top six.”

Early goals in both halves did the trick for Holbeach as they saw off Spalding yesterday.

Jonny Allen broke the deadlock in the second minute before TJ Nightingale levelled for the Tulips shortly after the halfhour mark.

But Tigers top- scorer Andrew Tidswell settled the contest when striking soon after the restart.

Chand, who is in his third season at the Holbeach helm, added: “We created more chances than Spalding, we had more of the game than them and we definitely deserved the three points as far as I am concerned.”

Deeping breezed past manager less Blackstones at Outgang Road 3- 0 yesterday.

All the goals arrived in the second half with Lewis Stone setting Rangers on the way to victory with a first goal for the club following a recent move from Northern Star.

Striker Alex Beck then took centre- stage with two goals in the space of three minutes midway through the second period to seal the points.

Holbeach manager John Chand.