Wins in the Thurlow Nunn League for Pinchbeck United and Holbeach United

Joe Melson's first competitive goal for Pinchbeck United helped set the Knights on the road to victory in the Thurlow Nunn League on Saturday.

Melson has made nearly 120 appearances for the club and found the net for the first time directly from a corner on Saturday in the 3-0 away win at Holland.

He broke the deadlock three minutes before the break with second half goals from Flynn Slater and Logan Tate sealing the Division One North success.

Goalkeeper Ben Martin also saved a penalty to secure his fourth successive clean sheet for the Knights who are now unbeaten in the last six league games.

Manager Lewis Thorogood said: "It was a good win away from home and we want to finish the season as strongly as possible.

"Everything that we do between now and the close of the season is to build for next season.

"It's all about the building blocks and the boys are showing what they're capable of.

"They're coming into great form but, unfortunately for us, it's probably two months too late because, if we had done this in February, we could have been knocking on the door of the edge of the play-offs."

A tepid first half saw the game spring into life in the latter stages when Melson - who is the second leading appearance maker in the current squad - whipped in a corner that was destined to curl into the far post before being turned in by the home goalkeeper.

The goal opened up the game for the second half but Pinchbeck nearly let Holland back into the game when Charlie Brooks was penalised for a foul in the area.

Martin kept out the initial spot kick with a superb stop and then followed it up by saving the rebound.

It was the wake-up call that Pinchbeck needed with the pace of Luke Cullen, Slater, Andre Williams, Tate and Josh Doran stretching the home side.

They doubled their lead when Josh Balding's pass found Slater who ran straight for goal before slotting home.

The win was then sealed with a third goal as Williams brought out a fine save from the home goalkeeper with Tate smashing home the rebound.

Thorogood added: "We had a bumpy 10-minute period where they got the penalty but we then took control and were in the ascendency."

Pinchbeck complete their league campaign over the Easter weekend with a home match against Swaffham Town on Saturday which is followed by a derby at Holbeach United on Easter Monday.

The Tigers ended a run of five games without a win at the weekend with a 2-1 away success at Whitton United.

A close range finish from Oskar Gadzia gave Holbeach the lead late in the first half after Harvey Thorne's free-kick had been parried by the home goalkeeper.

The lead was doubled on the hour mark when Ben Greenacre's back post cross was converted by Marley Hamilton.

Whitton pulled a goal back with five minutes remaining but Holbeach held onto their lead and remain in eighth place, five points clear of Pinchbeck in ninth spot.

Holbeach visit Haverhill Borough on Saturday before entertaining Pinchbeck at Carter's Park on Easter Monday.