Lewis Thorogood admits that the state of the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field pitch will play a big factor in how he sets up his side against Eastwood on Saturday (3pm).
The surface took an absolute battering last weekend, with Spalding United’s game against Shepshed Dynamo one of the few non-league games in Lincolnshire to be played despite the heavy rainfall.
Knights chief Thorogood admits that he’s “disappointed” that the fixture went ahead and added that the groundsman is “devastated” by the state of the surface.
Pinchbeck’s Uhlsport UCL Premier Division North game at Boston Town was one of the many postponed last weekend – and Thorogood insists that any more rain or even frost this week will be bad news for the Eastwood game.
However, he is pleased to have agreed a deal with Holbeach United winger Andre Williams ahead of the showdown.
“The pitch is going to be incredibly difficult now and in the future,” said the Pinchbeck boss. “We’re going to have to keep an eye on the weather.
“I’m very disappointed last weekend’s game was played, it’s now vulnerable to any kind of bad weather for the foreseeable.
“But that’s done now. Obviously we have to factor in the pitch, it’s not going to allow any kind of football really.
“We were obviously disappointed not to be able to play at Boston Town, but that was called off for the right reasons.
“Now we’ve got Eastwood, who got a creditable draw against Heather St John’s on Saturday.
“They have lost a lot of their players due to budget cuts, so are a much younger side than when we last played them.
“We’ll have to adjust our tactics with the pitch in mind, but if we play like we did against Holbeach – and finish a bit better – I’ll be confident.
“We might be able to have Andre involved if we can complete the deal. I thought he did well against us for Holbeach and, with different players around him, could be a real threat for us.”
Pinchbeck have no new injury concerns.
