Pinchbeck United player/boss Ian Dunn admits that Saturday’s showdown with Boston Town is one the fixtures he looked out for at the start of the season.
A former manager of the Poachers, Dunn’s Pinchbeck drew the reverse fixture 1-1 back in August in what was their first-ever away game in the Future Lions UCL Premier Division.
The Knights had two players sent off that night – something that still rankles with them – and Dunn is making no secret of his desire to take three points at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field (3pm).
“Of course, I want to win this one,” quipped Dunn, who left his role as Boston Town boss back in 2013. “It’s one of the games I looked out for at the start of the season.
“I’m not even going to pretend it’s not a big game for us. I’ve managed them before and we have players that have been there in the past, too.
“We’ll obviously go into the game as favourites given that we’re third and they are in the bottom three.They’ve conceded a lot of goals this season, but you have to give them credit for beating Peterborough Northern Star last time out.
“We have to be professional and stick to what we’re good at. I fancy us to get the three points, but I’d say that in any game we’re involved in.
“Other than a few anomalies this season when we’ve shipped a high amount of goals, we’ve been tight at the back and looked good in midfield. We’ve now added to our attack and look much more dangerous, so I’ve got to be happy.”
Following Saturday’s South Lincolnshire derby, Pinchbeck then host old ChromaSport PDFL rivals Netherton United in the last eight of the Hinchingbrooke Cup on Wednesday (7.45pm).
Dunn anticipates that he’ll shuffle his pack for that clash with a side two levels beneath them in the Non-League ladder, but insists his side won’t take them lightly.
Meanwhile, winger Josh Smith has made the switch to Peterborough Northern Star in search of some playing time, while Liam Ogden is also set to make a short-term move to Skegness Town for the same reason.
Defender Ash Murrell has also been ruled out for three more months in the aftermath of his ankle operation, but has taken up a coaching role with the Knights as he recovers.