Player/boss Dunn praises away form as Pinchbeck United edge closer to the title

RUSHDEN & HIGHAM UTD 0
PINCHBECK UTD 1

Ian Dunn praised Pinchbeck United’s impressive away form as they moved 13 points clear at the top of ChromaSport UCL Division One with a 1-0 victory at Rushden and Higham United on Saturday.

Ollie Maltby struck the only goal of the game a Hayden Road from close range in the final minute of the first period, as the Knights took another step towards clinching the title and made it an amazing 19 games unbeaten.

Player/boss Dunn felt his side should have won a little more comfortably, but praised their efficiency away from the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.

Pinchbeck have also won away at title rivals Raunds Town, Potton United and Blackstones this season – and reckons those kind of results have been the difference for his side this season.

“Our away form is the reason we are where we area,” admitted the player/boss. “If it wasn’t for the win on Saturday and those victories over the other leading sides, we might not even be top.

“To be 13 points clear with nine games left to play is an incredible position for us.

“The pitch was very heavy on Saturday and it was one of those games.

“We had plenty of chances, but the winner came when they didn’t deal with a ball into the box. It came back out, but Andrew Tidswell’s shot was then saved and Ollie was on hand to tap home.

“I know they’ve since said that he was offside, but at the time I didn’t see any of their players appealing for anything.

“We could have a had a few more goals after the break. Aaron Eyett will perhaps feel that he could have had a few, Liam Ogden also went close and James Gordon too.

“At the end of the game you’re left feeling like we should have won by more, but we have to be happy with another good away win.

“We’re good going forward, quick and powerful in attack and very compact defensively.

“People are calling us champions-elect, but we’d be silly to think the job is done.

“Obviously, we’re very confident. The lads aren’t nervous at all and we just keep taking it one game at a time.”

Pinchbeck: Swan, Brooks, Murrell, Wright, Bishop, Sergeant, Ogden, Eyett, Josh Smith, Tidswell, Maltby. Subs used: Easy, Gordon, Shipley. Not used: Dunn, Jack Smith.

Attendance: 35.