Ian Dunn has warned Pinchbeck United’s rivals not to write off his new-look side ahead of the start of the 2019/20 Uhlsport United Counties League Premier Division season.
The Knights make the relatively short trip to take on Peterborough Northern Star at the Branch Bros Stadium on Friday night (7.45pm), with his starting line-up likely to be almost unrecognisable to the side that finished fourth last time around.
Only Nick Bishop, Nick Jackson, Ollie Maltby, Jordan Nuttell and Ricky Lovelace remain from last year’s regular starting line-up, with Dunn admitting that clubs have taken advantage of the club operating with a smaller budget this season.
However, Pinchbeck have added plenty of youthful exuberance to their squad – including their most recent signings Dan Worthington and Corey Newman from Sleaford Town.
Dunn, who feels a top ten finish would be a “fantastic achievement” this time around, admits that he’s just endured the most difficult pre-season since re-joining the club.
But he’s excited by the potential of his new-look side and hopes to go unbeaten in the opening two games against Star and Wednesday’s home date with Sleaford (7.45pm) at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.
“It’s been a complete rebuild,” admitted Dunn, who is again signed on as an outfield playing option. “I’ve made no secret of the fact that we’re operating with a smaller budget this year; it’s a new era for the club.
“We did very well last year and other clubs have taken note. Boston Town, for example, have taken four of our players.
“That happens in football and you have to move on. We’ve now got a very young squad with a lot of pace and potential.
“We’re not as experienced, but we’ll have different qualities this season and we’ll be able to play in a way that I’ve wanted to try for a while.
“It’ll be a bit ‘suck it and see’ for what we can expect to achieve this year. At this point, I’d have to say that we’re not really in a position to say we’ll target the title.
“To be honest, a top ten finish would be a fantastic achievement. For me, we’re not really looking beyond the first week of the season.
“We’ve been a team that often starts slowly and builds up to find form at around Christmas. If we can start well and go the first week unbeaten, I’ll be delighted.”
Dunn is without key man Jackson for the trip to Star, with the defender getting married on Saturday.
Other than that, he has a full complement of players to pick from against a city side that have made improvements to their squad over the summer – which includes adding ex-Knights Dan Swann, Herbie Panting and Ewan Fieldhouse to the fold.
“Star have more quality this year,” added Dunn. “It’ll be a tough game, but I’m quietly confident that we’ll go there and get something.”
Pinchbeck won their final pre-season fixture 3-0 at March Town on Saturday to lift the BKD Trophy, with new signing Patryk Kacirek grabbing two goals. Regular goal-getter Maltby rounded off the rout for the Knights.
UCL fixtures
Friday (7.45pm): PNS v Pinchbeck Utd.
Saturday (3pm): Harborough v Boston Town; Holbeach Utd v Loughborough Uni; Leicester Nirvana v Desborough; Lutterworth Town v Deeping Rangers; Quorn v Rothwell Corinthians; Rugby Town v Cogenhoe Utd; Shepshed Dynamo v ON Chenecks; Sleaford Town v Oadby Town; Wellingborough Town v Anstey Nomads.
Tuesday (7.45pm): Anstey Nom v Rugby Town; Boston Town v Holbeach Utd; Harborough Town v Oadby Town; Lutterworth Town v Quorn; Wellingborough Town v Desborough Town.
Wednesday (7.45pm): Pinchbeck v Sleaford.
