Player/boss Ian Dunn is confident that Pinchbeck United’s Lincs Junior Cup dream won’t be derailed by the absence of top scorer Ollie Maltby on Saturday.
Pinchbeck play host to Lincolnshire League Premier Division side Nettleham at Knight Street (1.30pm) – and will be hot favourites to progress.
Dunn – who is likely to replace 31-goal Maltby in attack – feels his team have enough ability to deal with the dilemma.
His squad trained twice over the festive break and played out a friendly with ChromaSport PDFL Division One side Long Sutton Athletic on Tuesday night, winning 6-0.
Indeed, his only worry is the sodden state on the Knight Street surface.
“Saturday is a big one,” admitted the former Spalding and Holbeach United frontman. “It will be tough, they’ve had some decent results this season.
“I’ve not had a chance to see them in action, but from what people say that are a direct side who like to get the ball forward quickly.
“We’ve just got to concentrate on our game, though. Losing Ollie is obviously a blow, but we’re a team that create a lot of chances for him.
“Be it Liam Ogden, Tony Edwards, Tom Panton or myself, we have to step up and take those chances.
“I’m confident that we’ll do just that.
“I feel ready to start if I need to. It’s been six months since my operation and it’s time to properly test it if I’m honest.
“Sadly the pitch is a little heavy at the moment and we’ll have to hope that it doesn’t take any more rain.”
