Five-star Pinchbeck cruise into last four as final with rivals Harrox looms

Player/boss Ian Dunn admits he’s excited by the prospect of a possible final with rivals Moulton Harrox after seeing his Pinchbeck United side ease into the last four of the ChromaSport President Premier Shield on Saturday.

Pinchbeck were 5-2 winners over Thorney at Knight Street, booking a semi-final at an AFC Stanground side that beat Holbeach United Reserves 3-1 in the process.

Dunn, Loz Lambley, Brad Murrell, Tyler Wright and Ash Murrell all netted for Pinchbeck, who did fancy a crack at Moulton in the semi-finals.

Instead, they’ll have to beat Stanground and hope Harrox can see off either Whittlsey Athletic or Netherton United in their last four clash.

“I do think we’re in the best half of the draw,” said Dunn. “Moulton, Whittlesey and Netherton are all very strong sides.

“That’s taking nothing away from Stanground, but if you look at the table you can see what I mean.

“We’re just happy to be in the semis, any side that gets this far deserves it.

“After the match, a few of the lads were talking about how they wanted to play Moulton next. It wasn’t to be, but I do think it’d be a great final, though there’s a lot that needs to happen for that to be a reality.

CLINCHER: Ash Murrell headed home number five.

“I was really pleased with how we performed on Saturday. Once again we started like a steam train and were 3-0 up inside 20 minutes or so.

“Credit to Thorney, they battled well and made an early change that seemed to help them settle.

“The pitch was far from ideal and made life hard for both sides, but we’re very pleased to progress.”

Dunn himself gave Pinchbeck the lead on five minutes, before Lambley’s deflected volley doubled their money.

It looked to be game over when Brad Murrell buried a rebound to give the hosts a 3-0 lead at the interval, but Thorney hit back early in the second half.

Wright restored the three-goal cushion when he capitalised on some poor defending to round the keeper and slot home, but the plucky visitors again hit back.

There was no doubt the game was over when Ash Murrell headed Liam Ogden’s corner into the net late on, however.

Pinchbeck: McCready, B Murrell, Leggett, A Murrell, Brooks, Gardner, Borbely, Wright, Lambley, Woods, Dunn. Subs used: Ogden, Brown, Withers. Not used: Bishop, Ross.

Saturday: ICA Sports v Pinchbeck (2pm).