Allan Ross admitted that Pinchbeck United never really found top gear despite cruising to a 5-2 ChromaSport PDFL Premier Division win over AFC Stanground Sports on Saturday.
The assistant boss, who was in charge with Ian Dunn absent, watched on as Ollie Maltby (2), Tom Brooks, Liam Ogden and an own goal steered his side to a scrappy Knight Street success.
It keeps their treble dream very much alive, with the Knights now just a point off top spot following the weekend results.
Ross was happy to emerge from the Stanground clash unscathed and praised the players’ attitude.
He said: “It was quite amusing as, after the game, four or five of the lads apologised for their performance – and we’d just won 5-2! We didn’t quite play our best football and struggled to get the ball moving on our pitch, which is drying out a little bit.
“Credit to Stanground, they came looking for a draw and tried to get in our faces. The message from me was to stay calm and remain professional.
“We came out of the game with five goals, no bookings and no injuries – so I have to be pleased.
“Tactically, we know that it’s tough for teams to play us and win at this level. We’ve won 28 of our last 29, so that speaks for itself.
“We’ve got a great bunch of lads here and going for a treble is really exciting.
“Saturday was scrappy, but we move on to the next game. Overall, it was a good weekend for us.”
Indeed, Saturday’s shock result saw leaders Peterborough Sports Reserves beaten 2-1 at Leverington Sports – meaning Pinchbeck are just a point behind them.
After welcoming Ketton to Knight Street on Saturday (2pm), the Knights make the trip to Sports on Tuesday night (7.45pm).
Ross is wary of Sports utilising some of the club’s first team players in the Parkway clash, but says his team will relish the challenge whatever happens.
Ross added: “The Sports loss actually didn’t surprise me. Going to places like Leverington can be very uncomfortable.
“I’d have been more surprised if they had lost to one of the leading sides.
“It certainly makes the game on Tuesday very interesting. Obviously we go there looking to win, but a draw is no longer a bad result for us.
“Will they throw a few first-teamers in? I don’t know. They have a great management team there and I think they’d want to give the Reserve team the chance to win the league themselves.
“But if we’re up against a Mark Jones or a Josh Moreman, it’ll be a great individual battle for our lads – and one that we’ll relish.”
Pinchbeck: Martin, Gordan, Lawe, Ross, Smith, Brooks, Shipley, Bishop, Edwards, Ogden, Maltby. Subs used: Eyes, Gardner.
Attendance: 37.
