Anstey Nomads 4 Pinchbeck United 1
Lewis Thorogood bemoaned “unforgivable errors” as Pinchbeck United slipped to a 4-1 loss at high-flying Anstey Nomads on Tuesday night.
The Knights, who were searching for a first Uhlsport UCL Premier Division North victory since early September, have now suffered five defeats on the spin in all competitions.
Pinchbeck actually made a great start at the Callingtons Community Complex as Haydn Havard fired them into a 25th-minute lead.
However, Anstey are one of the UCL’s top sides and quickly turned things around thanks to a double from Henry Bestwick (26 & 35).
Not done there, Michael Reeve put Nomads 3-1 to the good with a strike just before the half-time break.
The final home strike came on 50 minutes as Klarke Greenham marked his first start with a maiden goal that killed off the Knights.
It could have been worse for Lewis Thorogood’s side, but a top stop from keeper Alex Smith denied Corey Armeni.
Nomads go second with the win, while the Knights stay in 14th.
For Pinchbeck chief Thorogood, the difference between the two sides was the basic errors his side made.
He said: “We looked at this game as something of a free hit, given how well Anstey are doing.
“We had nothing to lose, really. But in the end I’m actually quite annoyed with the result, as I felt we matched them for most of the game.
“If we’d been played off the pitch I’d hold my hands up, but we weren’t.
“We started well and played some really nice counter-attacking football, which reminded me of how well we played earlier in the season.
“We deserved our goal and I was very impressed with the performance at that point.
“But what disappointed me was the way we just let them go up the other end and equalise straight away.
“We settled down nicely, but then gave away two unforgivable goals before half-time due to overplaying the ball.
“Even at 3-1 down I felt we were in with a shout in the second half, you could see how relieved Anstey were to get their third.
“But we killed ourselves again early in the second half and 4-1 was game over.
“At this level it’s all about results and climbing the league, so ultimately I can’t just be happy to say we matched a very strong side for much of the game.”
Pinchbeck are back on the road at Heanor Town on Saturday (3pm), before a home clash against Loughborough Students on Wednesday (7.45pm).
Knights: Smith, Moyses, Stevens, Johnson, Worthington, Spafford, Silva, Peasgood, Opayinka, Armond, Havard. Subs: Baldock-Smith, Hebblethwaite, Ramsden, Pipes-Goulsbry.
Attendance: 102.
