The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Netherton United 0
Pinchbeck United 1
Liam Ogden’s late headed winner fired Pinchbeck United to President Premier Shield glory on Friday night as they deservedly beat Netherton United 1-0.
The Knights were the more dangerous side throughout at The Branch Bros Stadium and created the better chances, but had to wait until 15 minutes from time for the winner as Ogden glanced home a cross from sub James Gordan.
However, Pinchbeck were also indebted to a heroic injury-time block from Chris Shipley as they survived a late Netherton barrage to lift the trophy for the second time in as many seasons.
And, with the PFA Senior Cup final against ICA Sports to follow on Monday night (8pm), it could end up being a stellar season for Ian Dunn’s side – who also finished second in the ChromaSport PDFL Premier Division.
Dunn felt his side deserved to win the trophy and admitted they were told to leave it all out on the pitch, despite their second final being just around the corner.
“It’s always nice to defend a trophy,” enthused the player/boss, who played 78 minutes of the final. “We knew it was going to be tough and we knew it was going to be a battle.
“And everybody here could see that, from minute one, it was a battle.
“It was niggly and it was horrible and the referee stopped and started the match all night.
“I think we deserved the win. I certainly think we were the best side in the first half and in the second half we continued to create. We hit the bar and their keeper made a few good saves.
“When the goal came with 15 minutes to go after it being 0-0 for so long, I felt it may have been a bit early. Last year we scored with a few seconds left against Moulton and there was no chance for them to reply.
“The goal was lovely. A great header from ‘Oggy’ and a lovely cross from James, who had just come on.
“Then at the end we did what we asked of the players before the game – make sure you die for the cause in both penalty areas.
“We put our bodies on the line to get the win, it didn’t matter about the other final on Monday. We left everything out on the pitch and made sure we brought the trophy home.
“They boys did it, especially at the end. I thought they were absolutely superb and it’s always sweet to win a final.
“It’s one down, one to go as far as we’re concerned.”
The first half of the final was all Pinchbeck, with Netherton struggling to get out of their own half.
The league’s leading scorer Ollie Maltby, passed fit after a nose operation, had an early sniff of goal when his long-range volley was deflected wide.
He went even closer a few minutes later when nodding a whipped Tyler Wright free kick just wide of the top near corner with Netherton’s keeper well beaten.
The moment of the first half also came from 62-goal Maltby. He expertly flicked the ball over one defender and then raced past another before firing just wide at the near post from a tough angle.
Netherton’s first attempt came from dangerman Tommy Randall, but he lashed well off-target following a well-worked short corner.
Back at the other end, keeper Ross Ingram pulled off a stunning save to tip Wright’s curling 25-yard free-kick around the far post.
Another chance then went begging for Maltby, who blasted off-target following a powerful run and neat cut back from Dunn.
The one-way traffic continued early in the second period, with Shipley heading a dangerous Wright cross off target with Ingram scrambling.
However, Netherton were much more of a threat and finally tested Knights keeper Ben Martin when Dwayne Rankin’s effort was expertly fingertipped wide.
After a number of niggles in the first half, both sides were then lucky to keep ten men on the field. Tom Brooks, on a yellow card, got away with a rash tackle on Ash Jackson, while Netherton skipper Herbie Panting – also on a yellow – was fortunate not to collect another after clattering Maltby.
You began to wonder if it wasn’t going to be Pinchbeck’s night when, on 65 minutes, Maltby’s header from another Wright set-piece was somehow tipped onto the bar by an inspired Ingram.
Indeed, they almost fell behind when Rankin ploughed through their defence and forced Martin into another flying stop at his near post. Then, from the resultant corner, Luke Gardner cleared Ben Daly’s effort off the line.
But their moment finally came in the 75th-minute. Gordan, on as a sub at right wing back, delivered a tasty cross for Ogden – whose glancing header gave the excellent Ingram no chance.
With Netherton going gung-ho in the final few minutes, Ogden then turned saviour at the other end as he kicked a Lee Clementson effort off the line.
But it was Shipley who produced the block of the match in added time. Martin rushed out to deny sub Kenny Wheatland, but the ball dropped to Randall with the goal gaping.
The Netherton man lashed what looked like being a leveller towards goal, but the Pinchbeck defender put his body on the line to deflect the strike wide and ensure his side lifted the trophy once again.
Pinchbeck: Martin, Lawe, Gardner, Shipley, Smith, Brooks (Gordan 70), Dunn (Edwards 78), Bishop (Eyes 88), Maltby, Wright, Ogden. Not used: B Murrell, Ross.
