The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Player/boss Ian Dunn is adamant that the pressure is on Pinchbeck United’s ChromaSport UCL Division One title rivals as they enter the season’s home stretch.
The Knights – who are seven points clear at the top – have dropped just two points since September and are currently on a 14-game unbeaten run ahead of Saturday’s home date with Thrapston Town (3pm).
With just 14 games to go, Dunn feels that one of their title rivals will need to emulate that kind of form to have any chance of denying his charges the crown in what is their first-ever season at Step Six.
“We’ve just got to keep on doing what we’re doing,” said Dunn, who will collect his manager of the month gong on Saturday. “The run we’ve been on has just piled the pressure on the rest.
“With every win, we move a step closer to that title. To have only dropped two points since September is an amazing run – and it’ll take something similar from a rival to deny us.
“We don’t want to slip-up, but the position that we’re in allows us that luxury.
“But the way we’ve been going, we’re not looking like losing any time soon.”
Pinchbeck will be hot favourites to extend their unbeaten run to 15 games at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field on Saturday.
Thrapston will arrive in South Holland in 15th place in the table, having not won since Boxing Day.
Dunn admits that they’re the only UCL Division One side he’s not seen play this season, but knows that they’ll be a harder test than their league position suggests.
“It’s a bit of an unknown for us as they’re the only team I’ve yet to see this season,” added the player/boss. “They are struggling, but nobody seems to beat them heavily.
“What we quickly discovered about this league is that there are no easy fixtures are we’ll not take them lightly.
“We’ll set up to attack, but we’ll need to match their effort and desire if we want to get the points.
“Yes, we can afford an off day. But we’re not intending to have one on Saturday.”
Pinchbeck will again have to do without the services of the unavailable Andrew Tidswell, while Tony Edwards serves the second game of his suspension.
Luke Gardner also faces even longer on the sideline after seeking specialist advice on his groin injury.
