Purring Pinchbeck United produced a near-perfect first half as they smashed hosts Stanground 4-0 to reach the final of the ChromaSport PDFL President Premier Shield on Saturday.
The last four clash, which was played on Yaxley’s 3G pitch, was as good as over inside the first 40 minutes after Ash Murrell, Brad Murrell, Ian Dunn and Tony Edwards all notched.
Pinchbeck could have added more to their tally after the interval, but player/boss Dunn – who injured his hamstring while scoring – admitted that his side took their feet of the gas.
The emphatic victory sets up a mouth-watering final with perennial South Holland rivals and Premier Division leaders Moulton Harrox. That game will be played at Stamford’s Zeeco Stadium on May 13 – and Dunn reckons it’ll be a special game.
“It felt done and dusted after 10 minutes,” said the former PDFL double-winning boss. “You could just see that Stanground’s heads dropped.
“Then we went on and got two more before half time – I couldn’t really have asked for more from the lads really.
“The plan was to go there and start really fast. They like to build from the back and get the ball into the corners.
“We got into their faces and didn’t let them play, which was the most pleasing thing for me.
“After the break we let them play a bit more, but I think we knew the job was already done.
“We’ve now got a final to look forward to. Playing at Stamford will be a great occasion for us, I think it’s positive that we’re playing at a ground we’re not used to.
“It’ll give it a big-match feel and will be the perfect way to end the season.
“I’d say that no matter who the opposition are, but for it to be Moulton makes it that little bit more special.
“At the start of the season we targeted a cup final and a top six finish. We’re halfway there now, so now we need to crack on and finish the league campaign well.”
It took just two minutes for Pinchbeck to break the deadlock with Ash Murrell converting a Liam Ogden corner from close range.
Goal number two arrived on ten minutes and was the pick of the bunch as Brad Murrell unleashed a pile-driver of a free kick into the top corner from 25 yards out.
It was 3-0 on 20 minutes when player/boss Dunn took advantage of a defensive error to finish well from a tight angle. It was to be his final act of the game, however, with the striker damaging his hamstring while sending the ball into the net.
There was time for another goal before the break, with Edwards finishing at the second attempt after his initial strike came back off the post.
The second half was more low-key, but Pinchbeck had already done enough to book their place in the final.
Pinchbeck United: Dickinson, A Murrell, Leggett, Brooks (Brown), B Murrell, Bishop, Gardener, Wright, Ogden (Francis), Dunn (Sae-Be), Edwards. Not used: Withers.
- Striker Dan Woods has left Pinchbeck United to re-join March Town. His PDFL registration has also been transferred to Division One side Oundle Town.
He scored 15 goals in 12 starts for Pinchbeck this season.
