A 5-1 must-win encounter at relegated Rainworth Miners Welfare gave Pinchbeck United a lift in their efforts to avoid relegation from Division One of the United Counties League, Division One.
However, with their rivals also picking up points over the Bank Holiday weekend, they are still in a battle to avoid a bottom-three spot. Potentially only one point covers five teams battling to avoid the two remaining relegation spots.
The Knights made no mistake at Rainworth, going ahead inside four minutes and opening a 3-0 half-time lead.
Owen Sheriff finished off a scramble from Joe Melson’s corner to put the visitors ahead and Orin Aldridge’s through ball saw JJ Ward convert a one-on-one after 34 minutes.
Two minutes later, Melson’s through ball split two defenders and Orin poked it past the goalkeeper as the Knights’ aggressive pressing, clinical finishing and dominant passages of play put them clear.
Man of the match Elliot Foster slammed the ball into the top corner of the net to make it 4-0 before the hosts pulled one back. However, it was the visitors who rounded off the scoring when Luke Cullen slotted in at the near post in the last ten minutes.
Team coach Mark Melson said: “Although Rainworth were already relegated, we knew it would still prove to be a test.
“They’ve battled well in their last three or four games and, with a strong wind going from end to end, it made things tricky.
“Rainworth worked a goal for themselves, which was disappointing from our point of view but it is a huge three points in our bid to pull away from the drop.”
The Knights extended their unbeaten run to three games with a point when they drew their Easter Monday encounter at ‘home’ to Eslaforde Park landlords Sleaford Town.
The 1-1 draw was sufficient to keep both teams out of the bottom three but not enough to create any breathing space.
Despite creating plenty of chances and playing good football, the Knights were unable to push on for maximum points after taking a first-half lead.
Cullen played Ward through and he slid the ball across for Foster to rifle home the 12th-minute opener.
However, Sleaford levelled in the 69th minute through Kyle Onyon.
Knights (v Rainworth): Martin, Simpson (Callaby), Balding, Melson (Panton), Brooks, Sheriff, Aldridge (Shinn), Henderson, Foster (Gadzia), Cullen, Ward (Stevens).
Attendance: 112.
Knights (v Sleaford): Martin, Callaby (Stevens), Balding, Melson, Brooks, Sheriff, Aldridge, Henderson, Foster, Cullen, Ward (Shinn). Subs (not used): Haywood, Panton, Gadzia.
Attendance: 248.
