A lack of concentration at the beginning and end of the second half sent Pinchbeck United crashing to the foot of the United Counties League Premier North Division table.
The Knights were well in the game at half-time, trailing by one goal but within ten minutes were 3-0 adrift and a five-goal blast in last 20 minutes – with three coming in the final seven minutes – saw them fall to an 8-0 defeat at AFC Mansfield.
New signing John Yambasu looking lively on his debut, after joining from Holbeach, and captain-for-the-day Taylor Jaine’s through ball almost set up Andre Williams for a goal.
Lewis Cox pulled off a fine save to deny the hosts but they went ahead in an even first half when the goalkeeper was beaten by a 30-yard effort five minutes before the break.
Hopes of pulling back that deficit were crushed soon after the break with two quick goals, although Pinchbeck came close to a consolation when Williams’ powerful shot was saved and Kelvin Ibeneme fired against the crossbar.
Mansfield added a fourth goal on the break and pulled clear with four more.
The Knights have a chance to lick their wounds this weekend with a blank date in the league calendar, although they are trying to arrange a friendly ahead of next week’s trip to promotion-chasing Belper United.
Knights: Cox, Turunen (Ward), Stevens, Henderson, Cranfield (Kudla), Wright, Jaine, Ibeneme, Williams, Yambasu, Johnson (Gagyi).
Attendance: 51.
p It was not a good day for the higher-ranked Spalding-area clubs in the GCE Hire Fleet Peterborough League.
In the Premier Division, Holbeach United Reserves fell 6-0 at home to Whittlesey Athletic Reserves, while bottom club Tydd slumped 9-0 at Oakham United.
It was marginally better for Crowland Town, who did at least have a goal from Danny Firth to celebrate in a 5-1 defeat at Uppingham Town.
It was no better in Division One, where Holbeach United Sports fell 3-2 at home to FC Peterborough Reserves, while Jamal Nyang and Charlie May scored for Long Sutton Athletic in an 8-2 loss at Peterborough City.
The trend continued in Division Two, with an 8-3 home defeat for Crowland Town Reserves against Park Farm Pumas Reserves.
However, there were wins for Tydd Reserves (3-0 at Stamford Lions), Sutton Bridge United (6-1 v Kings Cliffe) and Whaplode Drove Rovers (3-2 v Peterborough Rangers).
