Woodbridge Town 2
Pinchbeck United 1
They don’t lose very often – but when Pinchbeck United are beaten, it’s usually in an FA competition.
Having been dumped out of the Emirates FA Cup earlier in an otherwise unblemished season, the Knights were seen off 2-1 at Woodbridge Town in the FA Vase on Saturday.
The hosts went ahead on eight minutes through Kelsey Trotter, only for Fraser Bayliss to level with a left-footed stunner soon after.
Callum Harvey then grabbed what proved to be the winner on 23 minutes.
Pinchbeck had chances to level – most notably when Jason Field inadvertently blocked Jordan Nuttell’s goal-bound header on the line – but were left even more frustrated when Jack Smith was sent off for the second time this season for what was deemed to be a professional foul.
Knights player/boss Ian Dunn, who along with number two Allan Ross signed a two-year contact with the club prior to kick-off (see page 39), was a little deflated by the defeat.
He said: “The draws haven’t been all that kind for us in FA competitions.
“We had to travel a long way on Saturday and the lads looked a yard off the pace in the first half.
“They were a good side that belied their league position and passed the ball around really well.
“We tinkered with the system and asked a few questions of them. We had two big chances at 1-1, which would have changed the game.
“I think it was just one of those days, summed up by Jordan’s goalbound header being blocked by Jason.
“To make matters worse, Jack’s sending off was a joke. It was an obvious yellow and nobody could believe the decision. We’ve had three really bad reds this season.
“It’s a shame, we fancied a run in one of the FA competitions.”
Knights: Lovelace, Wilson, Gardner (Wright 46), Jack Smith, Field, Tidswell, Bishop, Eyett (Josh Smith 46), Bayliss, Beeson, Nuttell. Not used: Dunn, Shipley, Gaukroger.
