Greens must play to 100% - Shaw

The two Lincolnshire rivals will lock horns at Eslaforde Park this weekend (KO 3pm), with both sides keen to get the victory that could help them climb the United Counties League Premier Division table.

While the Knights are relatively new to the Premier Division, Greens boss Jamie Shaw says past games have always had that derby day feel, even if the dynamics have changed this campaign with Tom Crozier taking on dug-out duties with United.

He said: “The first season it felt like a good derby, probably because they were doing so well and had a lot of players who had played with us or we knew.

“Last year it was similar because there was a rivalty in terms of league positions.

“I know (former Knights manager) Ian Dunn quite well from having played with him so that brought some friendly rivalry as well.

“Now, it doesn’t feel quite the same, I don’t really know a lot of their team.

“But it’s a derby in terms of geography and that brings a bigger crowd and a better atmosphere - and that’s always something to look forward to.”

Both sides know the importance of victory on Saturday as both have struggled for wins so far this campaign.

“It’s about who plays well on the day, more often than not. That’s the truth,” Shaw added.

“If we go and play at 100 per cent we give ourselves a chance to win. If we don’t they’ll have a chance of winning the game.

“That’s the standard we have to set ourselves.

“They (Pinchbeck) feel, from the outside looking in, a club similar to ourselves, a new set of players trying to almost pre-season as the season’s going on.

“With that you will get ups and downs. Hopefully, we catch them on a down.”

On Saturday, Town were beaten 5-0 at Anstey Nomads.

The Greens were beaten 2-0 at Deeping Rangers last Tuesday.