Another Ollie Maltby hat-trick fired Pinchbeck United to a super 6-0 success over Stilton United on Saturday – and drew high praise from player/boss Ian Dunn.
Ace goal-getter Maltby took his tally for the season to 36 in 20 games so far this season in the crushing ChromaSport PDFL Premier Division victory.
Liam Ogden, Jamie Francis and Corban Oldham also netted for The Knights, who moved above promotion rivals Netherton United into third as a result.
Dunn was impressed with the team performance – especially with key men Tom Panton, Nick Bishop, Luke Gardner and Brad Murrell all missing – but admitted that Maltby’s lethal finishing gives his side an extra edge this season.
He hopes that his star striker will progress with the club, with both having aspirations to climb the non-league ladder.
“36 goals in 20 games speaks volumes,” said Dunn. “He’s on target for 60 if he keeps this rate up.
“Ollie’s finishing is very good, he very rarely misses if I’m honest. He has given us that little bit extra from last season – you need somebody like him if you want to progress.
“The club has aspirations to get promoted and hopefully we can progress together – that should go hand-in-hand.
“Aside from Ollie’s performance, I was happy with the strength-in-depth we showed on Saturday.
“I thought Luke Gardner and Brad Murrell could do with a rest, while Nick Bishop and Tom Panton were carrying injuries.
“The difference this year is that we have players that can step in an make an impact. It was great to see Jamie and Corban get on the scoresheet.
“Fair play to Stilton, I thought they were vastly improved from the last time we played them.
“They came to us with a purpose and had a few good spells. But we got our noses ahead midway through the first half and they had to get higher up the pitch after the break.
“That gave us more space to play in and we capitalised with five more goals. We knew six would take us above Netherton and we pushed on to make sure we got them.”
Pinchbeck handed a debut to James Gordan, a teenage right back who has joined from Boston United.
Pinchbeck: Martin, Edwards, Lawe, Ross, Smith, Brooks, Shipley, Wright, Ogden, Dunn, Maltby. Subs used: Francis, Gordan, Oldham. Att: 40.
