Player/boss Ian Dunn admits that Pinchbeck United’s trip to Buckingham Town on Saturday (3pm) will be another yardstick for his promoted side.
The Knights are top of the table and unbeaten in their four ChromaSport UCL Division One after beating Bourne Town 4-0 on Wednesday, but are set for their first Saturday away game of the season.
Dunn, who remembers Buckingham as a UCL Premier Division title rival from his days with Spalding United and Holbeach United, says that his players will be in for a shock to their system.
Having been used to the relatively short trips in the ChromaSport PDFL, making the 170-mile round trip to The Irish Centre represents one of the Knights’ longest away trips of the season.
But Dunn is confident that his side will come away with three points.
He said: “It’s another one of those games against an established UCL side, a bit like when we played Long Buckby.
“Buckingham know the league inside out, while we’re still learning.
“The big test will be that it’s our first Saturday away game at this level.
“Travelling so far on a Saturday does make a difference, so we need to be prepared.
“It’s another yardstick for the lads, but I’m sure we can come away with three points.
“We’ll always set out to win every game, but we’ll again need to box clever.”
Dunn could be boosted by the return of versatile defender Ash Murrell, who was a regular fixture in his squad before going travelling to Australia last year.
He’s now back in the country and was in the squad against Bourne.
Young defender Jacko Withers is also back in the fold and was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw with Lutterworth Town on Saturday.
Dunn added: “Ash is a great signing for us, he knows the level.
“We always knew he’d be away for the year and re-signing him was always part of the plan.”
Key defender Chris Shipley, who missed the Lutterworth draw, should be back in the squad for Saturday’s away date with Buckingham.
