Ian Dunn was pleased to see his Pinchbeck United side tick off another win on Saturday as their bid to win the ChromaSport PDFL Premier Division gathered more pace.
First-half goals from Tom Panton and top scorer Ollie Maltby – his 32nd of the season – steered The Knights to a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Holbeach United Reserves at Knight Street.
The victory moved Dunn’s promotion-chasing charges up to second in the Premier Division standings, with Netherton United – who have played a game more than them – only above them on goal difference.
Peterborough Sports Reserves and Moulton Harrox remain well-placed too, with the top four having broken away from the other 14 teams.
Dunn feels that the “big four” are too strong to slip up against the lesser sides, meaning that victories like Saturday are vital to keep themselves in the hunt for glory come May.
He admitted that his side impressed in putting a strong-looking Holbeach side, which boasted first-teamers Jonny Allen, Zack Munton and Callum Madigan amongst their ranks, to the sword with minimal fuss.
“I felt we controlled the game,” said the former Spalding United and Holbeach United striker. “We scored twice in the first half and that was job done.
“They didn’t cause us too many problems – and when they did, Joe Ashton did superbly well to deny Zak Munton.
“Tom showed real power to score his goal, while Ollie’s just kind of fell right for him. It’s the sort of chance we didn’t get last week when he was missing.
“Going in 2-0 at half-time against a strong side was great and we decided to just see the game out.
“They were tougher than usual with those first teamers, so it’s a fine win for us.
“It does feel like the top four aren’t dropping points against anybody else at the moment, making these kind of games important. We just have to keep winning.
“Swap Whittlesey of last year for Peterborough Sports this year and you’ve still got four very capable sides at the top of the table.
“We need to win every game against the other sides and do our best not to lose in the two big games we have left – Netherton at home and Sports away.
“They all have to play each other, so it’s vital we keep winning and take advantage when they do.
“We’ve moved up to second and applied some pressure. But now we have a cup game ahead of us, so the table will no doubt look different when we’re back in league action.”
Meanwhile, Tigers chief Chris Page felt his side created enough chances to take something from the derby clash.
He said: “We went into the game with a plan to take the game to Pinchbeck, as we didn’t want to sit back and allow them to come on to us.
“Overall I feel the game was evenly matched. We conceded two sloppy goals, one by giving possession away on our 18-yard box and then we lost our shape for the second and they broke on us.
“We have had four or five good chances during the course of the game and their keeper made some good saves – so we were just not clinical enough in front of goal.
“Fair play to Pinchbeck, though. They are a good side and are hard to break down when they get in front of you.
“Going forward with Holbeach I couldn’t have asked for more from the lads and in the changing room after we knew we had given it everything. But we were disappointed because we felt there was nothing in it.”
This Saturday sees holders Pinchbeck host ICA Sports in the President Premier Shield (1.30pm), while Holbeach host South Holland rivals Crowland Town in the Premier Division (2pm).
Pinchbeck: Ashton, Edwards, Gardner, Shipley, Brooks, Smith, Lawe, Bishop, Wright, Panton Maltby. Subs used: Oldham, B Murrell. Not used: Ross, Dunn, Ramos.
Holbeach Res: Murphy, Harker, Dickinson, Elston, Allen, S Barnes, Chappell, Madigan, J Keeble, Gosling, Munton. Subs used: Le Sage, Mead, Madriejewski. Not used: Powley, Lawrence.
Attendance: 35.
