Pinchbeck United will take part in their first-ever Future Lions UCL Premier Division fixture on Saturday – and player/boss Ian Dunn insists his side are going to do much more to make up the numbers.
The Knights welcome Rothwell Corinthians to the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field (3pm) for what will be their step five debut, having roared to back-to-back promotions in the past two seasons.
Promoted as dominant UCL Division One champions last term, Dunn’s side finished the campaign with a 28-game unbeaten streak intact.
They’ve added Lee Beeson, Fraser Bayliss, Jordan Nuttell, Jason Field, Ben Lawrence, Lewis Croucher, Delphin Esteves and keeper Alex Smith to their squad, losing Dan Swan, Liam Ogden and Tom Brooks.
Key midfielder Andrew Tidswell hasn’t re-signed either, but Dunn remains confident of retaining him.
With that in mind, the former Boston Town chief fancies his side to surprise a few people this year.
He said: “I think we were unsure about how we’d fare this time last year. But as the season went on, we found a way of winning games.
“This season, we’re obviously stepping up another level. But we all feel that we can do ourselves justice in this league.
“We’ve added quality to the squad and, with what I’ve seen over pre-season, I really fancy us to be battling at the top end of the table.
“I really do think we’ll surprise a few people.
“It was important that we added to the squad, we’ve got five cup competitions to take part in this season.
“To have five more players is a big boost. Last season showed that you need depth at UCL level – and this year is going to stretch us further.
“We’ll look to mix things up, there are plenty of different ways to win.”
As well as the Rothwell test, Pinchbeck also make the trip to Boston Town on Tuesday night (7.45pm).
Rothwell finished last season 15th, while Boston – who are expected to be much-improved this year – were 13th.
Dunn wants his side to go unbeaten in their opening fixtures, but is hoping to register a maiden victory at the earliest opportunity.
He added: “Obviously we want to win both games – we’ve got the players to do it.
“We’ve not lost a league game since September and we don’t want to give that record up lightly.
“Not losing is key, but I’d like to get that first win on the board if at all possible.
“If we can start well, who knows what we can go on to achieve? It’s exciting.”
Pinchbeck have been boosted by the news that key left-sider Tyler Wright has turned down what Dunn called a “double-your-money” move to Wisbech Town.
But they are unsure if winger Beeson is available to feature, having been handed a five-game ban for an incident while with Spalding United last season. The as-yet unsigned Tidswell is also unavailable for the opening fixtures.
- Pinchbeck drew their final pre-season game 3-3 at Wisbech St Mary on Tuesday night.
Bayliss (2) and Ollie Maltby got the goals.
