Pinchbeck United’s FA Vase hopes ended at the first hurdle after Stapleford Town secured a 3-0 victory with two late goals. The result sent the Knights out of the competition after a match in which they had to recover from conceding early.
Stapleford made the stronger start by opening the scoring early, but Pinchbeck continued to battle against the visitors. The Knights were unable to find an equaliser before Stapleford struck again on the break in the 81st minute.
The visitors then added a third goal two minutes into stoppage time. That late finish completed the 3-0 win and confirmed Pinchbeck United’s early exit from the FA Vase.
Ward hits the woodwork
Pinchbeck’s closest attempt came shortly after half-time. JJ Ward, who was named man of the match, hit the woodwork four minutes into the second half.
The effort gave the hosts an opportunity to get back into the contest, but the Knights could not convert it into a goal. Stapleford remained in front and ultimately took advantage of its chances on the break as the match moved into its closing stages.
Attendance for the game was recorded as 39.
Knights prepare for Maltby Main trip
Pinchbeck United now turn their attention to their next fixture, with a trip to Maltby Main scheduled for Saturday. The match will take the Knights into new territory against a side described as league newcomers.
Maltby Main are a South Yorkshire team who were moved across from the Northern Counties East League during the summer. The supplied report does not identify the league into which they were moved, but confirms that Saturday’s opponents are newcomers to Pinchbeck United’s league.
Pinchbeck’s published starting line-up was Hetherington-Field, Panton, Balding, Melson, Cranfield, Huggins, Young, Waby, Parker, Garner and Ward. The substitutes were Balodis, Banhire, Pacey and Woods.
