In-form Pinchbeck United needed penalties to progress in the PFA Senior Cup on Saturday after a roller-coaster 2-2 draw at Stanground.
Played at Yaxley’s In2itive Park 3G surface, Pinchbeck trailed 1-0 at half time despite seeing Nick Bishop hit the woodwork and Tony Edwards fire a great chance over.
Player/boss Ian Dunn wasn’t impressed with the first-half performance and let his players know at the interval.
They responded superbly, with Dan Woods levelling soon after the re-start.
A dominant period followed, but United had to wait until the 90th minute to get their noses ahead through Liam Ogden.
However, a last-gasp direct free kick earned Stanground a draw and forced a shoot-out.
Keeper Jordan McCready saved the first effort, before Pinchbeck scored all five of their spot-kicks to progress to the second round 5-4.
The result extends Pinchbeck’s unbeaten run to ten games, but they did concede a goal for the first time since September 9.
“The first 45 minutes was as bad as we’ve been all season,” said Dunn. “We had a car-full of players arrive late and that spilled onto the pitch.
“It just wasn’t good enough all over the park. But we had a good chat and the second half was much more like it – it was near total dominance.
“By the time we got the late goal I thought we had merited a winner, but then they chanced their arm from a free kick and scored.
“Jordan was a little bit disappointed to concede that one, but he picked himself up and saved the first penalty.
“Overall I’m just happy we’re through and that we’ve extended our unbeaten run. We were always going to concede eventually, that’s football.
“It’s almost a monkey off our back, we’ll stop talking about it now. I’m glad that, when we did concede, we still got the result.”
Pinchbeck are back in cup action this Saturday. They visit Railway Athletic in the Lincs Junior Cup (1.30pm).
Pinchbeck: McCready, Thompson, A Murrell, B Murrell, Lawe, Bishop, Gardner, Oldham, Odgen, Edwards, Woods. Subs used: Dunn, Francis. Not used: Ross, Brown.
- Holbeach United Reserves also won a PFA Senior Cup shoot-out to see off Premier Division rivals Peterborough Sports Reserves on Saturday.
A double from Jack Smith and a rare strike from club legend Dean Elston ensured the tie between two of the PDFL’s top three finished 3-3 at full time, with Omar Joof’s Tigers winning 4-2 on
penalties. Gary Gibbs, Adam Richardson and Chris Brown bagged for hosts Sports.
- Crowland Town couldn’t make it a full house of PFA Senior Cup wins as they were thrashed 8-1 by Ketton at Snowden Field.
David Shamma was the sole scorer for the hosts.
Second round draw (November 28): Holbeach Res v Stamford Lions; Pinchbeck Utd v Sutton Bridge; Stilton Utd or Thorney v Moulton Harrox.
