Moulton Harrox 2
Pinchbeck United 0
Moulton Harrox took the local bragging rights on Saturday as they dumped rivals Pinchbeck United out of the ChromaSport Peterborough League’s President Premier Shield.
Goals in each half from Ben Allen and debutant Lewis McKue were enough to keep Harrox’s unbeaten run this season going – and hand Pinchbeck their first defeat since Ian Dunn returned as player/boss.
Hosts Moulton went ahead on the stroke of half time at Broad Lane, with Allen firing home after United keeper Ant Murphy had saved from Ian Bradbury.
McKue, signed at the 11th hour from South Holland neighbours Spalding United, then marked his first appearance for Moulton with a second from a move that involved sub Matt Rose and Allen.
Pinchbeck enjoyed a good period of pressure in the second half, but couldn’t find a way past the impressive Brendan Taylor.
Harrox assistant manager Paul Crowson, who has been in charge of the first team for the past few weeks, said: “We set our stall out with a pressing game and I don’t think they liked it. We really got in their faces and played as a team.
“That was the most pleasing thing. We had been more like a bunch of individuals earlier in the season.
“We certainly deserved to win the game and it’s great that we’re now turning draws into wins.
“I thought Lewis McKue had an excellent debut. We signed him very late in the day without knowing too much about him. He was thrown in at the deep end, but certainly delivered.
“We have to thank Pat Rayment and Spalding United for letting us have him.”
Pinchbeck player/boss Dunn agreed that Moulton were full value for their win. He added: “We deserved to lose, credit to Moulton.
“Apart from a good second half spell, we just didn’t turn up. We’re a new-look side and at times we looked like strangers.
“This isn’t totally unexpected, but things had been going very well.
“It didn’t help that we had Elliott Price missing, or that Adam Abell had to come off injured.
“But if I had to choose between losing this one or the league game I’d have picked this one. The loss has shown us where we are at – and I think we need to add one or two more players if I’m honest.”
Both sides return to Peteborough Premier Division action this weekend, with Moulton visiting Deeping Rangers Reserves and Pinchbeck travelling to Peterborough Sports Reserves (both 2pm).
Moulton: Taylor, Patterson, Johnson, Coddington, Groves, King, Townsend, McKue, Allen, L Steadman (Rose), Bradbury.
Pinchbeck: Murphy, Thompson (Rodwell), Leggett, Brooks, Dunn, B Murrell, Maltby, Stainfield, Lawe, Abell (Gosling), McDonnell (Relf).
