Pinchbeck United face Congleton Town in the fourth round of the FA Vase

Pinchbeck United manager Lewis Thorogood feels the Knights’ record-breaking FA Vase run has highlighted the progress of the United Counties League club.

Thorogood’s side have reached the fourth round of the competition for the first time in their history.

They travel to North West Counties League side Congleton Town on Saturday for their last 32 tie having never made it past the first stage of the competition.

Thorogood said: “We are continuing to grow and develop as a club, on and off the pitch, and we would like to see more people getting behind us.

“We are doing some good stuff and we’ll enjoy the occasion on Saturday because it’s a great time for the football club.”

The Knights have already accounted for Holbeach United, Deeping Rangers, Sherwood Colliery and St Panteleimon en-route to Saturday’s tie.

However, they face arguably their toughest test against a Congleton side who are currently sixth in their division.

The Bears have won five of their last six league games in a competitive division which also features Vauxhall Motors, AFC Liverpool, Northwich Victoria and Bury AFC.

They are managed by former Wales international Richard Duffy who made more than 100 appearances each as a player for Exeter City, Port Vale and Notts County.

Ex-Valiants striker Tom Pope has netted 14 goals this season for a Congleton side who last reached the fifth round just two seasons ago.

Knights boss Thorogood added: “We’ll go there with no fear, enjoy the occasion and give our all for the 90 minutes.

“You get one chance with one hit so lets hopefully look to see if we can create some more history for the club.

“We’re the underdogs but it’s something to look forward to.

“Congleton get good attendances of more than 500 and that will be a new environment for our younger players in front of a crowd that’s more suited to step three or four.

“We can’t leave anything behind though. We will throw everything at it and give it our best shot like we have done in the past rounds.

“This run is something that is probably going to be written in our history for quite some time and we will go there and give it everything and, if we do, who knows what could happen because there’s certainly no pressure or expectation on us.”

Thorogood has been disappointed with how his side have started games in recent weeks.

They conceded three goals in the opening half of the December defeat against Sleaford Town and then shipped the same amount in the first 21 minutes at Melton Town on Saturday.

He commented: “We can’t keep doing that and we have to dust ourselves down and plan for Saturday.

“You can’t go to somewhere like Congleton and do what we have been doing because you’ll be five goals down inside the opening 20 minutes.”

If Saturday’s tie finishes level after 90 minutes, it will go to a penalty shoot-out.