Ian Dunn reckons Pinchbeck United couldn’t have a tougher start to the new ChromaSport Peterborough Premier Division campaign.
In an exact repeat of last season, Pinchbeck welcome Netherton United to Knight Street on Saturday (2pm), before making the short trip to face rivals Moulton Harrox on Tuesday night (6.30pm).
Last season Pinchbeck, who won four and drew two of their seven pre-season games, walked away with four points.
That’s a return Dunn would be delighted to replicate this time around, but he admits that getting through both games unscathed would be more than acceptable.
“It’s another very hard start,” bemoaned the 34-year-old. “I don’t know what we’ve done to deserve this again!
“Obviously it’s a chance to lay down a marker. If we won both games we’d be absolutely buzzing and people would be calling us title favourites.
“Ideally we pick up four or six points, but draws against Netherton and Moulton are never bad results.
“I’d be happy if we didn’t lose both matches.
“We come into the season in high spirits. We’ve got a lot of depth in the squad, which is the biggest change to last year really. There’s been a lot of chopping and changing throughout pre-season, but I’m happy with the squad.
“We look frightening up front with the likes of Tony Edwards and Liam Ogden really adding something we lacked last year.”
Dunn admits he was surprised to see Netherton held 2-2 by promoted Ketton last weekend. He’s not reading too much into that result, though, and is expecting tough tests from two old foes.
He added: “I don’t know a lot about Ketton, but that draw surprised me. Maybe it was a false one, I do expect Netherton to be strong.
“Equally, you know what you’re going to get from Moulton. They’ve made a few changes, but are always very strong.”
Pinchbeck beat a Spalding United XI 4-3 on Monday night, with Edwards (2), Ash Murrell and Corban Oldham getting the goals.
