High-flying Pinchbeck United have been warned not to underestimate one of non-league’s most beleaguered teams this Saturday.
The Knights, fourth in the Future Lions UCL Premier Division, visit rock-bottom Wellingborough Whitworth (3pm) – who boast the worst defensive record of any team at Step Five (94 goals conceded).
Whitworth have only won twice in the league all season, but Pinchbeck player/boss Ian Dunn insists that his side won’t take them lightly.
Dunn wants his charges to close the gap on third-placed Deeping Rangers to four points and expects their class to shine through; providing they have the right attitude.
“In this league, you can’t take anything for granted,” said the veteran frontman. “Working hard is a given, you need that extra quality.
“If we go there and just expect to win, there’s every chance they could raise their game and turn us over. I’m aware that they’ve got the worst defence in Step Five. We should have enough quality to beat them, but I’ll not take them lightly and neither should the players.
“There’s talk of snow coming in over there. We’ve got a few players missing, but I’d like the game to be one – we don’t want to be travelling there on a Tuesday night later in the season.
“It’d also be good to get points on the board and gain some ground on Deeping above us.
“I think the expectation is that we’ll get three points. Anything less is a failure in my book.”
Pinchbeck will make the trip without key trio Nick Bishop, Nick Jackson and Chris Shipley, while Harry Limb’s loan deal from King’s Lynn Town has expired.
The Knights have agreed a deal in principle to bring him back on loan for another month, but that is dependent on his ankle injury.
Fellow loanee Liam Adams, who scored in last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Cogenhoe United (see page 37), could also extend his stay from Stamford for another month but nothing is yet confirmed.
Dunn is hopeful that left-sider Tyler Wright will be fit to return on Saturday, while he’s also hoping to conclude a signing ahead of the trip.
