Pinchbeck United 0 v 2 Hucknall Town

Saturday 30th March 2024, Kick-off 15.00

United Counties League Premier Division

Sir Halley Stewart Field, Spalding

Admission: £6.00

Programme: £2.50

Attendance: 172

Whilst I was slightly undecided about where to head to today, this game was not on my radar at all when I left home and headed for a game at Chatteris Town. But as I was heading northwards on the Thameslink train, curiously looking at other options, I noticed this game with plenty riding on it, a game between two clubs at the bottom of the table, level on points, and with only the bottom side getting relegated. And as it would provide an opportunity to visit a Step 4 ground, I decided to stay on the train through Huntingdo, continue on to Peterborough, and then catch a bus to Spalding.

The Sir Halley Stewart Field, Spalding couldn't be much more handily placed for visitors, being within a stone's throw of the town centre, is located adjacent to the town's bus station, and the train station is within view. Spectators enter via a turnstile in one corner of the ground, and most of the ground's facilities are located along the length closest to the entrance. As Pinchbeck United are currently lodging at the home ground of Northerm Premier League Midlands Division outfit Spalding United, Spalding's clubhouse is not open on Pinchbeck matchdays, instead a blue portakabin has a bar area inside with a basic range of food and drink. A modern metallic stand is situated just beyond, with a large all-seater stand straddling the half way line, offering excellent and unobstructedd elevated views of the action. Behind one end is the Spalding clubhouse, which looked modern inside, with picnic tables outside, along with a hot food van and a drinks outlet, neither of which were open today. A further modern metallic stand covering steps to stand on is located next to the clubhouse. The remaining length and end has just hard standing. The background is quite interesting, with old fashioned town housing behind one length beyond a grassy area, and a large square water tower building an imposing sight behind the main stand. A printed programme was produced, covering both today's game and a game on Tuesday, and for that one should certainly be thankful, it was grossly overpriced at £2.50.

It has certainly been a season to forget for both clubs, marooned at the bottom of the table, both having amassed just 18 points from their 31 league games so far, and were ten points adrift of the third bottom club AFC Mansfield, who are out of reach with just three games left to play, including today. So, today would almost be a case of winner takes all, as the winner would move three points clear with just two games remaining, and a Hucknall win could be decisive, as they have a vastly superior goal difference. Pinchbeck have given them a chance of survival after winning their last two league games, while Hucknall have also been in reasomable form, losing just once in their last six games, picking up two wins and a draw. When the two sides met back in early September, Pinchbeck secured a 0-5 away win.

A match report can be read by clicking here, also copied and pasted below :-

Pinchbeck United lose to Hucknall Town in the United Counties League Premier Division North

 By James Bedford - james.bedford@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Defeat in a game which they couldn't afford to lose has left Pinchbeck United's step five status in the 'lap of the Gods.'

The Knights went down to a 2-0 home loss against relegation rivals Hucknall Town in the United Counties League Premier Division North on Saturday.

The visitors defied a dismissal late in the first half to score twice after the break and take control in the battle to beat relegation.

The Knights had gone into the game buoyed by two back-to-back wins but disappointed manager Lewis Thorogood felt his side hadn't matched those exploits in the crunch clash.

He said: "We just didn't turn up to the occasion which is probably the bit that hurts the most.

"It was very disappointing and the reality is that we're now in the lap of the Gods because realistically Hucknall can relegate us if they win their next game.

"We weren't as positive on the offensive as I would have liked and, at the end of the day, two soft goals have cost us."

Pinchbeck had a gilt-edged chance to take the lead in the opening exchanges as Hugo Hunt rounded the goalkeeper but couldn't force his finish past the covering defender while a posse of visiting players then crowned out Amadu Kanu's follow-up.

The visitors looked like they offered a greater attacking threat and, after Brad Wells had seen an early penalty shout turned down, Knights goalkeeper Lewis Cox made a couple of smart stops to deny Max Scoular and Joe Ashurst.

Hucknall did then have the ball in the net following a corner but the effort was ruled out for offside while Niall Towle flashed an effort wide at the back post.

Pinchbeck then lost defender Josh Simpson to injury but the game looked to be swinging in their favour when Hucknall were reduced to 10 men five minutes before half-time.

Hunt took advantage of a misunderstanding between two Hucknall defenders and raced clear before being brought down by Dillon Rawson who was red carded.

The resultant free-kick was fired over the crossbar but moments later Hunt again found himself the wrong side of the Hucknall defence.

This time he went down under the challenge of ex-Pinchbeck defender Taylor Jaine but the referee waved play on, much to the dismay and anger of the home side.

The visitors safely negotiated the final stages of the first half and came close to taking the lead shortly after ther restart when the ball dropped in the area to Aaron Short whose shot cannoned back off the post.

Home goalkeeper Cox then did well to deny Wells with a fine save before the former Spalding striker made the vital breakthrough for the visitors.

He weaved his way through the home defence and, although Cox and defender Charlie Brooks managed to block his first effort, the much-travelled frontman rifled home the rebound.

Wells came close to doubling the lead shortly after with a header that hit the crossbar while Pinchbeck struggled to find a way back into the contest.

Harry Cranfield and Ben Robson both had headers from setpieces which went wide while there best opening fell to Kanu who shot over when well placed.

The visitors then wrapped up the win in the last minute with Wells this time the provider as he teed up substitute Daniel Odunaiya to slot home a second goal which put the contest beyond Pinchbeck.

Manager Thorogood added: "It was very cagey at the start as you would expect and the first 20 minutes lacked any quality from both sides.

"There wasn't really much in it but we had a great chance early on and didn't put it away.

"I felt it was the right decision for the sending off and the next one five minutes later was identical and, in my opinion, it was also a sending off. I can't see how the referee can define between the first one and the second one but that's bye the bye.

"They went more direct in the second half and we struggled to cope with it. We conceded two cheap goals which we shouldn't have done."

Hucknall can now virtually confirm their survival with victory at Kimberley Miners Welfare on Monday as they boast a far superior goal difference.

If the Yellows drop points, Pinchbeck have a home match with Sleaford Town on Tuesday night where victory would take the fight for survival down to the final game of the season.

A match report from Hucknall Town's point of view can be read by clicking here, also copied and pasted below :-

YELLOWS WIN THE BOTTOM OF THE TABLE CLASH DESPITE GOING DOWN TO TEN MEN....

Pinchbeck 0-2 Yellows

It was Easter weekend delight for Yellows who overcame Pinchbeck two goals to nil at the Sir Halley Stewart Field in what could be a decisive game in the race for survival.

It was a shaky start for both sides however, with Yellows almost falling behind within the first five minutes had it not been for a goal line clearance from both Aaron Short and Dillion Rawson. The hosts weren’t without frailties of their own following numerous penalty shouts, firstly for a nudge on Brad Wells, followed shortly by a push on Taylor Jaine, but both incidents were waved away by the referee.

Yellows thought they had taken the lead shortly after as Jaine flicked the ball on for Short who beat the keeper but not the offside trap which concluded a frantic first ten minutes.

Yellows were the better side for large spells of the first half and almost opened the scoring on numerous occasions. Nial Towle volleyed narrowly wide after some excellent work from Joe Ashurst to beat his man and pick out the former at the far post. Ayleal Dill also went close after some nice play from Yellows which left Saad with space down the right to swing a ball in for Dill to attack, but he couldn’t divert his header goalward.

Despite being on top for the majority of the half, Yellows were dealt a huge blow just five minutes from the break. Following a defensive miscommunication, Hugo Hunt found himself through on goal and following a tangle with the Dillon Rawson, the latter was given his marching orders from the man in the middle. Yellows were almost reduced to nine as Hunt again caused problems this time for Taylor Jaine as there appeared to be yet another tangle through on goal but there were no repercussions this time around. An uphill battle awaited Reece Limbert’s men in the second half.

Following just the one change at the interval, the ten men of Hucknall yet again raced out the blocks and went agonisingly close to taking the lead as skipper Short saw his effort from the edge of the box come back off the crossbar. Yellows would make the breakthrough just minutes later as Brad Wells crashed his effort in off the crossbar to fire Yellows into the lead and make it five goals in four games for the former Spalding United man. Wells would later almost double his tally and Hucknall’s lead following a Joe Ashurst corner. Wells made his way through the crowd to meet the cross only to see his header graze the top of the crossbar. Yellows would eventually grab their second on 89 minutes, a short corner made its way to Wells on the byline who pulled it back for substitute Daniel Odunaiya to seal three valuable points for Yellows.

A monumental second half performance from the ten men of Yellows and a huge step towards survival. The job is not finished yet though as all eyes will be on Monday’s game away at Kimberley where three points would all but confirm Yellows league status.

Speaking after the match Manager Reece Limbert was both complimentary of the way his squad adapted after going down to ten men but also focussed on the job that still has to be done. "I am extremely proud of the squad for their performance in today's win. It goes a long way towards our target and I’m delighted for the supporters who were amazing today. It shows character going down to 10 men in the first half and then to grind out a result and we did just that. The mentality of these players is outstanding but we must regroup and go again on Monday. The job isn’t done yet and we must ensure we get a result in one or both of our remaining games to ensure our safety".

It is a very short break for the squad as they travel to Kimberley tomorrow in what could be a decisive match.