Delighted player/boss Ian Dunn hailed a top team display as his Pinchbeck United side marched into the PFA Senior Cup semi-finals with a 3-0 win over rivals Netherton United on Saturday.
Another hat-trick from striker Ollie Maltby, who now has a remarkable 41 goals for the season, settled the Knight Street clash in impressive fashion.
But it was the water-tight Pinchbeck defence, which has only shipped 12 goals since the start of September, which pleased Dunn in equal measure.
The ChromaSport PDFL Premier Division’s top marksman Maltby grabbed the only goal of a first half Pinchbeck largely dominated, poking home on 24 minutes following a ball over the top from Dunn.
After the interval the home side were on the back foot, with keeper Ben Martin forced to pull off fine saves from Dan Fountain, Mujahid Akbar and Tom Randall.
However, the Knights hit back with two sensational Maltby strikes on 72 and 82 minutes. One was a brilliant side-footed finish, with the other a delightful chip.
The win keeps Pinchbeck’s hopes of a treble very much alive. They are sitting second in the PDFL Premier Division and are favourites to progress to the final of the President Premier Shield, having been drawn away at Ketton in the last four.
Dunn feels his side have a great chance of making it a trophy-laden season, insisting that he’d back his side against anyone in the league.
“I felt we dominated the first half,” said the former Boston Town boss. “1-0 was the least we deserved at half time if I’m honest.
“Their keeper pulled off a few great saves from Ollie and tipped my header over the bar.
“We felt they’d have a spell though – and it came in the first 20 or 25 minutes of the second half. Ben had to make a few good saves, including a brilliant double stop, but I don’t think they really peppered our goal.
“We defended so, so well. There wasn’t a huge amount of experience in the back five we picked, but they all did superbly.
“Obviously, Ollie will take the headlines again with the hat-trick. His second and third goals were absolutely unreal – he’s such a good finisher.
“But it was all about the team performance. If you remember that we conceded 13 goals in August, we’ve only conceded 12 since then – which is remarkable.
“Considering we were missing our captain Nick Bishop, our vice-captain Brad Murrell and our most experienced defender in UCL winner Jack Smith, it was an amazing performance on Saturday.
“Can we go on and win the treble? I couldn’t possibly say – but we have to be in with a good shout. I’d back this team against anybody. The commitment and hard work they all put in is incredible and they are a brilliant bunch.”
Pinchbeck return to PDFL Premier Division action on Saturday as they play host to Deeping Rangers Reserves (2pm). Peterborough Sports Reserves took the chance to extend their lead over the second-placed Knights to four points last Saturday in what was their game in hand.
Pinchbeck: Martin, Gordan, Lawe, Ross, Brooks, Gardner, Shipley, Ogden, Wright, Dunn, Maltby. Subs used: Edwards, Francis, Panton. Not used: Ramos, Oldham.
Attendance: 48.
