Sweetman’s respect for Penn but he’s hoping they’ll have an off day
Derek Sweetman says he has the utmost respect for Penn & Tylers Green, Holyport’s opponents on Saturday, and believes they’ll be in the mix for promotion from Hellenic League Division 1 East this season – however, he hopes they have an off day this weekend.
Holyport will play their first competitive match in around six weeks when they visit eighth-placed Penn and, although they’ve had some training and matches to prepare themselves for the game following lockdown, he expects it to be a challenging occasion.
Holyport are third in the table, having played more games than their rivals – Risborough Rangers and leaders Wokingham & Emmbrook above them – however, they’re confident they can finish in the top four which should be good enough to earn promotion this season.
Having played nine league matches this campaign they’ll
have to do a fair amount of sitting around over the
Christmas period, with their next league match after the visit to Penn not coming until January 2. It means they’ll have played just one competitive fixture in close to three months.
“It’s been hard not being able to train together and do the bits and pieces we would normally do,” said Sweetman. “We’ve had a couple of inhouse friendlies versus the reserves but it’s not like the real thing. Saturday at Penn will be a completely different kettle of fish.
“I think they’re a very capable side and could be at the top end challenging. They’ve got a nice new pitch and two or three players who’ve played at a slightly higher level.
“On their day they’re a very tough proposition and I’ve got the utmost respect for them. They’re a good bunch, they’re a good club so I’m pleased they’re doing well but hopefully they’ll have an off day on Saturday.”
Throughout lockdown the squad continued to train together via Zoom sessions and kept themselves ‘ticking over’ according to Sweetman. But he admits they looked a little sluggish in their friendly matches.
“That’s to be expected with that amount of time out,” he said. “Going back in this way is hardly ideal. It’s going to be tough and there are going to be some strange results as teams adjust to where they are fitness wise.
“When you start back from pre-season it usually takes you five or six games to get up to full speed so It’s going to be difficult.
“We play Saturday and then don’t play again until January 2. So, there’s another break for us and Christmas as well, and the turkey and the beer. It’ll be one competitive game in three months.”
Sweetman includes Penn as one of possibly eight teams who could challenge for promotion this season.
“There’s a good six or eight sides capable of putting a run together and challenging for one of those top four spots,” he said.
“Obviously, I would hope that we’re in and amongst that, but I’m sure the other managers are thinking the same.
“We’ve played a few games more than most, but we’ve got the points on the board. They’ve got to get those points. Nothing is going to be taken for granted, and the teams that are hovering around in midtable have four or five games in hand over us.
“They’ll be thinking if we win all of our games, we’ll go above us.
“It’s an extra incentive for them but we’ve just got to keep on picking up points and make it a fight for them to catch us.”
Sweetman added: “It will be a tough place to go and get a result of course, but we’re going there to try and win the game first and foremost and then we’ll assess where we are after that.
“I expect Penn will cause teams a few different problems this year, they’ve strengthened from last year and they will be strong. There’s a lot of competition for the top four this season that’s for sure.”