Boro’s FA Trophy tie at home to O’s looms large on horizon, but first comes trip to Yellows in league

Haringey Borough boss Tom Loizou says he will not be using the FA Trophy tie at home to Leyton Orient on December 16 to motivate his squad to perform at Sudbury in the Bostik North on Saturday.

When the draw for the first round proper of the FA Trophy was made last week, Boro were given a plum draw at home to the O’s of the National League.

Before that, though, Loizou’s men make the trip to the Yellows this weekend as they bid to end a run of four league games without a win.

The Haringey manager would be forgiven for challenging his team to show him why they should play against Orient when they visit Sudbury this weekend.

But Loizou says he has no intention of telling his squad that, believing it would not be the correct option to inspire his team to beat the Yellows.

“Trying to use the Orient game as a weapon to motivate the players is the wrong thing to do at the moment,” said Loizou.

“We have a depleted squad and the Orient game has come at the wrong time.

“I don’t think the players are holding themselves back for that game, it’s just that we’re going through a difficult time at the moment.”

The past week has been an interesting one for Haringey in the league after losing 1-0 at home to Hertford Town on Saturday, before seeing Tuesday’s trip to Heybridge end in a stoppage-time abandonment.

Against Town, Boro were beaten by a 32nd-minute goal from Michael Toner, while Ralston Gabriel was dismissed at Swifts shortly before the match was abandoned.

One man who missed both of those games, and has been absent in recent weeks, is Anthony McDonald.

But Loizou is confident McDonald will soon be back in the fold to boost the Coles Park club’s prospects.

“We’ve rested him for a few games, but with him in the side, we are a different side. At the moment, we’re not ticking without him,” added the Haringey boss.

Haringey are still offering free season tickets at Coles Park. Email clubsecretary@haringeyboroughfc.net to register your interest in obtaining a season ticket.