The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Disgruntled boss Ian Dunn admits that he and number two Allan Ross are being forced to consider their futures at Pinchbeck United following a string of off-the-field incidents.
The pair, who are preparing for an unprecedented two cup finals in the space of four days, feel the success of the team this season is being overshadowed by unsavoury incidents that have led to a wave of negative feeling towards the club.
Instead of being fully focused on the President Premier Shield finale against Netherton United on Friday (7.15pm) and PFA Senior Cup showdown with ICA Sports on Monday (8pm), Dunn is irked by having to talk about non-footballing matters on a seemingly daily basis.
Last week The Voice reported that committee member Pete Chapman had proposed an extraordinary general meeting because he was unhappy at how the club is being run, while mis-management behind the scenes – which Dunn insists have nothing to do with the football club – has led to them being hit with hefty unpaid bills.
Add that to the Reserve team folding mid-way through this season due to player Reece Parker assaulting referee Phil Hayes during a game with Tydd St Mary and Dunn feels that this season’s first team achievements have been swept under the carpet.
Having finishing second in the ChromaSport PDFL Premier Division, which is expected to see them promoted, and reached two finals, the player/boss reckons that the management team and players haven’t received enough credit for their stellar season.
“It’s difficult to focus on football when there’s so much going on,” bemoaned Dunn. “We’ve tried to shield the players from it, but stuff inevitably filters through and disrupts them.
“I’ll be honest, this season has been so much hassle. So much so that Allan and I are considering our futures for next season. It has been very hard for us and I’ll not lie, it has really got to us.
“There is a wave of negativity about Pinchbeck United and the first team simply don’t get enough praise or recognition for what we have done this season.
“Be it the Reserve team having to fold or these off-the-field issues, all I seem to be talking about is stuff that doesn’t concern the management of the first team.
“We should be talking about two big finals, finishing second and moving the club onwards and upwards.”
Ahead of the two finals, Dunn accepts that his side will be considered favourites for both games.
Friday’s clash with Netherton, which is at Peterborough Northern Star’s Branch Bros Stadium, will be the fourth meeting between the sides this season.
Pinchbeck are yet to lose to the city side, having beaten them 3-0 in the PFA Senior Cup and 2-1 in the league, while also drawing 3-3 back on the opening day of the season.
GOLDEN BOOT: 62-goal hitman Ollie Maltby is expected to play wearing a protective mask. Photo by JAKE WHITELEY
Monday night’s PFA Senior Cup final with ICA Sports is at Peterborough United’s ABAX Stadium and is also the fourth time the sides will have squared off during this campaign. Again, the
Knights are unbeaten against the Peterborough outfit after doing the double over them in the league and dumping them out of the President Premier Shield 2-1.
Dunn, who hopes to have 62-goal leading scorer Ollie Maltby fit enough to feature (albeit wearing a protective mask after a nose operation), says his side will do whatever it takes to win.
“To reach two finals is an amazing achievement,” added Dunn. “I think both games are going to be very interesting.
“For us, we’ve probably got the right opponents on the right pitch. Netherton would have been better suited at the ABAX as they love to get the ball down.
“ICA will look to hit us on the break and perhaps would have been more dangerous on the Northern Star pitch, which isn’t as good.
“We finished above both sides in the table and haven’t lost to either side. The league table doesn’t lie, so of course we’ll be considered favourites – we have to accept that.
“But football is a funny old game. If you think back to last season, we were big under dogs against Moulton Harrox in the President Premier Shield final at Stamford but still beat them 1-0.
“In finals, you find a way to win. It’s not about putting on a show for the spectators, it’s all about winning. We’ll make sure we have a plan A, B C and even D.
“The two games are against teams that play in very different ways, so will require different personnel. I’m confident we’ll step up to the plate and make sure we get the job done.
“We’re pretty much at full strength. Ollie Maltby is the only concern, but we’ve found him a mask and will give him every chance.
“Big players decide big games and he’s our top scorer. Even if he’s not 100 per cent, he’s good enough to make the difference. We’d be mad not to risk him, providing he wants to play.”
Pinchbeck warmed up for the final with a 5-2 win draw against Langtoft United in their final league game of the season at Knight Street on Tuesday night.
The goals came from Conner Eyes, Tyler Wright, Maltby, Brad Murrell and sub Chris Shipley.
