Player/boss Ian Dunn wants his Pinchbeck United side to prove they belong in the Future Lions UCL Premier Division title race on Saturday.
The second-placed Knights welcome much-fancied Eynesbury Rovers to the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field (3pm), with just two points separating the two sides.
Pinchbeck’s title credentials will be tested multiple times over the next month – and Dunn knows that it’s not going to be easy.
“The next month looks very tough on paper,” he admitted. “The fixtures we’ve got will be a real indication of where we are and if we belong at the top end of the table at this level.
“Eynesbury on Saturday is another really tough test for us and another game that will show us how tough it is at this level.
“But they have been inconsistent this season and have been prone to some funny results.
“They’ve got very decent players and can mix it up by being direct, which will be interesting.
“They are one of those sides that people fancy year in, year out.
“So, from our point of view, it’d be nice to shut a few people up and get three points.
“It’s not going to be easy for us and we’ll need to defend well.
“We’ve gifted teams a few goals this season, so we’ll need to cut that out at the weekend.
“We’ve not been opened up by many teams – not even Daventry Town – so we’ll look to keep that going.”
Pinchbeck will hope to welcome back Nick Bishop at the Sir Halley, while Jason Field is hoping to shake off a niggle.
Keeper Ricky Lovelace should also be fit after picking up a knock that saw him sit out the midweek clash with Deeping (see below).
However, Tyler Wright is still around six weeks off full fitness and striker Jordan Nuttell is not yet ready to return.
Defender Ash Murrell is making good progress in his recovery from ankle surgery and is hoping to be fit for action in the coming weeks.
- Legendary keeper Paul Bastock played in goal for Pinchbeck as they exited the UCL League Cup 1-0 against Deeping Rangers on Wednesday night.
A solitary goal from Michael Simpson (61) settled the clash at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.
Bastock, holds the all-time record for the most competitive appearances in world football having played 1,277 times in league and cup competitions, is unlikely to feature for the Knights again after becoming King’s Lynn Town’s assistant boss on Thursday.
