Heanor Town 3 Pinchbeck United 1
Upbeat Pinchbeck United boss Lewis Thorogood felt there were plenty of positives to take from Saturday’s 3-1 defeat Heanor Town.
Goals from Jack Dando (2) and Jamie Sleigh (19 & 74) handed hosts Heanor all three points in the Uhlsport UCL Premier Division North clash at The Town Ground.
But Pinchbeck, who did pull a goal back through new signing Zane Millar (from Boston Town), bossed large periods of the game and felt they deserved more on the day.
Thorogood praised Heanor’s tactics, but was left imagining what might have been if his side had more of a cutting edge.
“Heanor have a way of playing and they’re very good at it,” said Thorogood. “They have a sloped pitch, so they attack in the first half and defend in the second.
“It’s effective and is probably what I’d do if I was manager of a team with a pitch like that.
“We conceded a goal early doors from a set piece, but I thought we showed the right attitude after going behind and started to control the game after that.
“It was disappointing to let them get a second when we were on top, but the lads continued to show great desire and we looked good going forward.
“We didn’t give up hope and were pretty much camped in their half in the early stages of the second half. We had a lot of the play and won a lot of second balls, but didn’t really penetrate them as much as I’d have liked.
“It was a bitter pill to swallow when they got their third goal, but I was pleased to see the lads keep their heads up and it was very much deserved when we got a goal back through Millar.
“I think if we’d had another ten minutes we’d have probably got another goal and made things interesting, but that’s football.
“So, while I’m obviously not happy with the result I’m pleased with the performance overall. We controlled the game for an hour, so we can take some solace in that.
“It’s also the last in a very long run of away games, which has taken its toll on the boys.”
Saturday’s game was a landmark one for Knights’ skipper Dan Worthington, who was making his 50th league appearance for the club.
The Knights are back in home action on Wednesday night as they welcome Loughborough Students (7.45pm).
Knights: Smith, Moyses, Robson, Peasgood, Baldock-Smith, Spafford, Worthington, Melson, Gagyi, Johnson, Millar. Subs: Stevens, Fixter, Holland, Pipes-Goulsbra.
Attendance: 87.
