The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Harrowby United 0
Pinchbeck United 1
Chris Shipley’s second-half goal was enough to earn Pinchbeck United a 1-0 win at Harrowby United on Tuesday night – and send them a huge 16 points clear at the top of ChromaSport UCL Division One with just eight games left to play.
Midfielder Shipley netted the only goal of the game at the Environcom Stadium on 52 minutes when he turned home a short corner.
It extends Pinchbeck’s unbeaten run to 20 games and puts them just 11 more points away from clinching the title and promotion to the ChromaSport UCL Premier Division.
Player/boss Ian Dunn said: “I felt we were the better side and were good value for the win. We defended well again and never really looked like conceding.
“Dan Swan made a smart save in we had three or four good opportunities that we didn’t take.
“We played some of the best football we’ve managed all season on a difficult surface and yet again these players have shown why they’re 16 points clear at the top.
“It was a resilient and professional performance away from home with another clean sheet.
“To be 20 games unbeaten is an incredible achievement at any level and these players deserve all of the plaudits.”
Ollie Maltby fired an early effort over as the Knights eased themselves into the Lincolnshire derby. Aaron Eyett then launched a long-ranger wide, before Shipley nodded an Andrew Tidswell free-kick just off target.
Shipley made no mistake with his flicked finish from Liam Ogden’s cross seven minutes into the second period, however, as the Knights continued their fine record of scoring in every game since the 0-0 draw at Huntingdon Town on the opening night of the season.
Tidswell then forced a save from the home keeper, before sending in a cross that Maltby could only head wide.
However, Dunn’s side were indebted to a super late save from Dan Swan as they held on to clinch a 23rd league win of the season.
The Knights are back on home soil this Saturday when they welcome struggling Oakham United to the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field (3pm).
Pinchbeck: Swan, Shipley, Wright, Tidswell, Jack Smith, Murrell, Eyett, Bishop (Josh Smith), Sergeant (Gordon), Maltby, Ogden (Dunn). Not used: Ross, Gardner.
