Pinchbeck United 0
Rugby Town 3
Jack Smith’s first-half red card proved costly as Pinchbeck United slipped to a 3-0 Future Lions UCL Premier Division defeat against much-fancied Rugby Town on Saturday.
Despite Pinchbeck making the better start at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field, Liam Francis headed Rugby ahead from a corner on 24 minutes.
Six minutes later defender Smith was harshly sent off for two bookable offences – and the visitors duly doubled their lead in the final minute of the first period through Lewis Rankin.
With the Knights still pushing forward in search of goals, Fazel Koriya broke clear to round off the victory in dying seconds.
Player/boss Ian Dunn was proud of how his side performed, but admitted that Rugby were just a bit too good for his charges. He was disappointed with Smith’s red card, though.
“I think Rugby were very street-wise,” said Dunn. “I think that, along with Daventry Town, they are the best side we’ve played.
“We really worked our socks off and for the first 20 minutes I’d argue that we were perhaps the better side.
“We won a lot of second balls and I’m proud of how we took to our task.
“Obviously, the red card made it difficult – we had to play the best part of an hour with ten men.
“I’d argue that neither of Jack’s yellow cards were just. The first was handbags, then he was walking the tightrope.
“He went in for a tackle and got the ball, but also the man. I don’t know if this is a new thing, but it seems that players on yellow cards aren’t allowed to make another offence these days.
“With that in mind, we had to take Nick Bishop off at half-time to prevent him getting booked again.
“It seems like the physical side of the game is dying out – I’m not sure how long football will be a contact sport for, if I’m honest.
“Rugby were the better side and they deserved to win, but I think it’s testament to how far we’ve come as a club that we’re even on the same pitch as Rugby.
“They were playing higher than the UCL recently, while two years ago we were in the Peterborough League.
“Rugby are a top end side and perhaps we’re not quite at their level yet.”
Knights: Lovelace, Ogden (Fieldhouse 64), Wilson, Jack Smith, Field, Josh Smith (Edwards 46); Bishop (Bayliss 46), Shipley, Beeson, Maltby, Tidswell. Not used: Gardner, Peasgood.
Attendance: 108.
