Ian Dunn bemoaned Pinchbeck United’s “joke” schedule after seeing his side lose 4-2 at Stamford Lions on Tuesday night.
Goals from Callum Lawe and Tom Sergeant had seen the Knights 1-0 and 2-1 up, but a late Luke Ball hat-trick (67, 74 & 85) – added to a Dan Sheehan strike (23) – gave the hosts all three points.
The loss, only second-placed Pinchbeck’s third in the ChromaSport PDFL Premier Division this season, leaves their hopes of winning the title in tatters.
Dunn, whose side are on a run of four games in a week and have to visit Ketton tonight (7pm), said it was “impossible” for his side to prepare correctly for the game.
He said: “We weren’t good enough. At 2-1 up with 25 minutes left two mistakes let them in.
“They wanted it more than we did all over the park and deserved to win.
“I now expect a reaction on Thursday. Having said that, we had four players arrive at 6.30pm and two just before kick-off.
“It’s not ideal preparation and certainly no excuse. But having to get to Stamford for a kick-off without lights in midweek and prepare right is impossible.
“To have to do it twice in three days is a joke. We’ve been dealt a bad hand in that respect.”
Pinchbeck, who host Sawtry on Saturday (2pm), are now seven points behind leaders Peterborough Sports Reserves after they won 2-0 at Holbeach United Reserves on Tuesday.
- A first-half hat-trick from player/boss Matt Cawthorn fired Long Sutton Athletic to a 3-2 victory over Spalding United Reserves on Tuesday night.
The London Road treble included a penalty and was the perfect way for Sutton to finish their PDFL Division One season.
Jonny Lockie notched a double for the Tulips in what was also their final game of the campaign.
Cawthorn said: “It was a typical end-of-season local derby. We rode our luck at times but could have scored a few more and deserved to win.
“We were a million miles away from where we could be as a team, but still got over the line.”
The Magpies now face a wait to see where they will finish, with sixth the best they can achieve. Spalding Reserves finish bottom and will have to see if any league restructuring can save them from the drop.
