Josh Balding made a stunning start to Pinchbeck United’s home game against Shirebrook Town in Division One of the United Counties League on Saturday.
He scored twice in the opening 12 minutes but, unfortunately, his team squandered the 2-0 lead and dropped into the relegation places after a 5-2 defeat.
The Knights had started the year in 15th place, 12 points clear of danger and with two games in hand but have not won in 12 games since December and have lost eight on the bounce to sink into the bottom three.
Things had started so brightly when a great run down the wing by Josh Balding after eight minutes saw him cross for Cullen to score. Four minutes later a scramble saw Cullen grab his second. However, the visitors pulled one back after 25 minutes and gained a half-time advantage after strikes in the 43rd minute and in stoppage time.
It was 4-2 on the hour mark before Cullen had a shot saved from six yards. He then fired narrowly over as a hat-trick evaded him and it was the visitors who completed the scoring in added time.
Pinchbeck now face four away and two home games in which to save their season and avoid a possible drop to the Peterborough League, 10 seasons after leaving it.
Knights: Martin, Simpson, Haywood (Callaby), Melson, Bennett (Akajiaku), Brooks, Panton (Henderson), Keating (Slater), Balding, Ward (Drought), Cullen. Att: 45.
