All the President’s men as holders defend Shield

There’s a big day of knockout action on the way.

Pinchbeck United continue their defence of the President’s Premier Shield - the knockout competition for top-flight Peterborough League sides - with a second round tie at Stilton United on Saturday.

Pinchbeck beat Leverington 6-1 in the first round, but they will have to tackle the rest of the campaign without inspirational central defender Ashley Murrell, who has left the area to go travelling.

“Ash’s departure leaves some big shoes to fill,” admitted Pinchbeck playermanager Ian Dunn. “He is a class act.”

Wisbech Town Reserves and Holbeach United Reserves will also do battle for a last eight place at Fenland Stadium.

Already through to the quarter-finals are Deepi ng Rangers Reserves, Moulton Harrox ( l ast year’s l osing finalists), ICA Sports, Peterborough Sports Reserves and Ketton. The Stamford Lions v Netherton tie was postponed last weekend.

Sports crushed ailing Thorney 7- 0 with goals from Gary Gibbs (2), Karl Gibbs, Chris Garwell, George Edwards, Andrew Boome and Ondre Odain.

Thorney have also lost all five of their Premier Division matches ahead of this Saturday’s trip to AFC Stanground Sports.

Joe Dobson s cored twice in ICA Sports’ 3-2 win over last season’s PFA Senior Cup runners-up Langtoft United. Connor Pilbeam was another man to score twice in Deeping’s 3-0 win over Uppingham.

The Peterborough League’s Intermediate Sheild and League Shield competitions kick off this Saturday.

ICA Sports’ Joe Dobson.