Match Preview

The Fenmen begin their home UCL Premier North programme with a local derby against Pinchbeck Utd at Fountain Fresh Park on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Pinchbeck, known as the Knights drew their opening league game at Ashby Ivanhoe 1-1, enjoyed a superb run in the FA Vase last season, reaching the fourth round before losing at Congleton Town, who went on to reach the semi-finals.

The Knights are managed by Lewis Thorogood who joined the club in October, 2021, having previously managed Boston Utd Under 21s and Spalding Utd.

Pinchbeck began last season well, including a win against Wisbech in their second match. But a disastrous loss of form saw them slide down the table, finishing third from bottom and narrowly avoiding relegation.

Wisbech fans will be familiar with one of Pinchbeck’s players. Andre Williams appeared for the Fenmen in 2020/21 and is one of 11 players who have been retained from last season. Newcomers include Elliott Burrell, Harry Cranfield, Sam Edwards, Krisztian Gagyi, Kelvin Ibeneme and Logan Tate. Burrell is a former Spalding United youngster while centre-half Cranfield came through the youth ranks at Boston United.
Goalkeeper Edwards was with Lincoln United last season while Gagyi was previously with the Knights in the 2021/22 season. Ibeneme has played for Holbeach and King's Lynn while Tate was with Boston Town last season.

History
Pinchbeck, who play at Spalding’s Sir Halley Stewart Field ground, spent many years in the Peterborough League, having joined in 1958. They were Premier Division champions in 1989/90 and retained the title the following year. In 2003/04 the club finished bottom of the Premier Division but were not relegated.
They were champions again in 2011/12, also winning the Peterborough Senior Cup. After finishing runners-up in 2016/17, the club were promoted to Division One of the United Counties League. Spalding’s Sir Halley Stewart ground is used by the first team with the reserves remaining at their home ground at Knight Street, Pinchbeck.
The Knights made an immediate impact in the UCL, becoming Division One champions in 2017/18, earning promotion to the Premier Division, where they have remained.

Credit: Adrian Lynn