Player/boss Ian Dunn reckons that it’s time Pinchbeck United started climbing the ChromaSport UCL Division One table.
The Knights slipped out of the top ten following the weekend’s fixtures, but jumped up to fifth after thrashing hosts Blackstones 5-2 on Wednesday night.
They are now just three points off the summit – and Dunn admits that his side have to beat struggling Bugbrooke St Michaels at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field on Saturday (3pm).
The visitors have just three points from six games after losing 2-1 against Lutterworth Athletic on Wednesday, while the Knights are brimming with confidence after Andrew Tidswell’s hat-trick and Ollie Maltby’s double at the ALH Recruitment Stadium.
Dunn is expected to keep Tidswell further forward, having scored trebles in the two games he’s played as a striker this season.
The player/boss said: “We’re not a million miles away from the top. It’s important that we beat Bugbrooke and that we start collecting a few more points.
“I think it’s time we pushed Tidswell further forward. He makes things happen wherever he plays, but when he went up front we score more.
“It’s no secret that we’ve struggled to convert our dominance into goals.”
Pinchbeck should hand a home debut to Edgaras Buzas, signed from Wisbech Town on Tuesday.
The Fenmen waved the need for a seven-day approach for the attacker, who can play in midfield or attack.
He made his debut at Blackstones and the signing comes after Dunn missed out on targets Charley Sanders (Holbeach United) and Jordan Nuttell (Boston Town).
Dunn added: “We’ve been after a striker of a certain ilk for a while. That’s why we spoke to Charley and Jordan – there was no more to it than that. I spoke to (Wisbech boss) Gary Setchell about Edgaras and they allowed us to move quickly on him.
“He’s good in the air and technically sound, while his record for Wisbech is very good.”
Key defender Jack Smith returned for the Blackstones game and should be fit to continue on Saturday.
Pinchbeck (v Blackstones): Lovelace, Shipley, Gardner, Jack Smith, Bishop, Wright, Josh Smith, Buzas, Ogden, Tidswell, Maltby. Subs used: Eyes, Kingston, Kisla. Not used: Robinson, Dunn.
