Thrapston Town 2
Pinchbeck United 2
Pinchbeck United lifted the ChromaSport UCL Division One title on Tuesday night after getting the point they needed at Thrapston Town.
The Knights, who are playing in their first-ever season in the league, celebrated their amazing success after the whistle at Chancery Lane – despite throwing away a 2-0 lead against ten men.
Ollie Maltby (16) and Tom Sergeant (45) netted to give Ian Dunn’s side a 2-0 half-time lead, with the hosts having Danny Wells sent off in the closing stages of the half.
But Pinchbeck looked to be running on empty in the second period following Saturday’s promotion party against Potton United and had to settle for a point after goals from Henry Cade (57) and Corey James (84).
Regardless of how they clinched it, winning the title with four games to spare is an incredible achievement for the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field-based side.
Knights player/boss Dunn said: “It was almost like we did our celebrating on Saturday, it was such a massive three points against Potton.
“I think at 2-0 up it was, at times, a bit too easy for us. It got a bit sloppy for us at the end and we didn’t do the things we’ve been good at all season.
“In the end, I suppose it doesn’t matter because we needed a point – and that’s what we came here and got.
“As far as we’re concerned it’s job done and that was all it was about. They surprised me, I thought they’d come at us and try and spoil the part, but they allowed us lots of time on the ball.
“As a manager, it’s a great achievement to win a league title. We’ve done it in the past in the PDFL, but came up a bit short last season and a Peterborough Sports side that would probably have won this league, if I’m honest.
“But this year we’ve done it by being the most consistent side. We said at the start of the season that we’d have a chance of winning this league if we could string results together – but I didn’t expect us to go 24 unbeaten.
“That’s the run that has won it for us, going unbeaten since September.
“We came here and got over the line. What has won us the league is winning big games at big times.
“Every time we’ve played a rival they’ve been bang in form, but we’ve beaten them – most notably Potton twice. That’s been the biggest factor for me.”
“Now, I think it might be time to rest a few of the lads – a few of them are looking very tired.”
After a low key first 15 minutes, Pinchbeck took the lead from their first chance. A excellent long ball over the top from Tyler Wright found Maltby, who expertly lofted the ball over the keeper with the outside of his right foot.
At the other end, Luke Cummins was unfortunate to see his header from a Danny Wells cross flash past the far post.
That was as good as it got for Thrapston and indeed Wells, as he was sent off five minutes before the break for kicking out at Josh Smith off the ball.
Pinchbeck wasted little time in making their numerical advantage count, as Sergeant nodded home Liam Ogden’s corner from close range on the stroke of half time.
However, the Knights wilted a little in the second period. They failed to fashion any clear chances and were ultimately pegged back by their ten-man hosts.
A clever flicked finish from Henry Cade reduced the arrears on 57 minutes, before they pinched a deserved leveller when sub Corey James (84) showed great persistence before firing past Dan Swan.
It was a little more nervy than it should have been for the Knights, but it mattered little.
The champions are back in action at Stewarts and Lloyds Corby on Saturday (3pm).
Pinchbeck: Swan, Sergeant (Gordon 75), Wright, Tidswell, Jack Smith, Murrell, Josh Smith, Shipley, Maltby (Clarke 75), Eyett (Dunn 59), Ogden. Not used: Gardner.
