WHALEY BRIDGE OVERCOME PINXTON TO PROGRESS

WHALEY BRIDGE ATHLETIC 3 PINXTON 1
DERBYSHIRE SENIOR CUP @ HORWICH PK
4 NOVEMBER 2017 --- 1.30PM

DSC TIE WITH WHALEY BRIDGE ON THE ATTACK AT HORWICH PK

After falling behind to an early goal Whaley stormed back to take charge of this Derbyshire Senior cup tie that saw the Cheshire League side despatch their fellow step 7 visitors Pinxton from the CMFL.
With the usual eye on the weather, as all footy fans know the conditions always deteriorate the night before the game, there was a game selection to be made today and thanks to the Whaley secretary and todays referee confirmation was received that the overnight rains would not interfere with this fixture.  It had looked a mouth watering fixture with high flying Pinxton visiting Cheshire League leaders Whaley Bridge Athletic a team who had always had a strong reputation for being there or there abouts.
Todays blog was massively helped thanks to a courtesy lift from match referee Kelvin Wilson he even agreed to drop me in Whaley first for the obligatory tour and of course fish and chips!

CANAL BASIN AN TRANSHIPMENT WAREHOUSE

The busy A5004 Buxton Rd whistles cars through the town with the adjacent Manchester to Buxton rail line trundling past on a slightly higher level through the town but bustle of a busy Saturday in Whaley belies the treasures behind the façade.  First point was a visit to the canal basin and the grade 2 listed Transhipment Warehouse the photo op was fulfilled and now for the research.  As usual all good towns have a chippy and The Fryery came well recommended with a small wait for a freshly cooked fish things looked good and they were certainly a re visit next time would be a must.

NEVER TIRE OF RESEARCH

Delicacy in hand a quick look in the streets behind revealed the old Goyt Mills site which now has a wonderful old restored sign at the approach to the formers base running adjacent the old terrace mill houses.  A short walk past an antique shop brings the incline of the former Cromford and High Peak railway which you could follow the path back over the River Goyt towards the Transhipment Warehouse.  The amble back towards the main road saw the Jodrell Arms Hotel, former landlord Jack Bond Lancashire cricketer, pub under renovation the pub bearing the name of the former big wig family of the area.  Derbyshire claims Whaley Bridge of course but the area sits right on the Cheshire border with nearby Macclesfield offering a trip over that line plus Stockport being close by too, indeed Whaley's selection to the Cheshire League probably bears out its geographical position.

TODDBROOK RESERVOIR BY THE GROUND

Movement along the Buxton Road towards the ground sees a delightful selection of shops and with a sweet requirement this was solved by Trio for gingerbread person and millionaires shortcake, very nice too.  I did stop to look at the Town Hall which seemed to house a lot of local facilities and by the side the craftily name 'Pizza Hot'.  Curving under the railway line and without any unnecessary references The Cock, formerly The Cock Inn, which once saw Betty Driver of Betty Turpin Coronation St fame as its landlady.  With time approaching 1pm a right turn along the narrow and short Wheatsheaf Road was to take me a very short climb through the Memorial Park and onto a higher level which houses the ground and small 4g five a side pitch.  Before taking in the ground a quick walk past would take in the stunning Toddbrook Reservoir.  Turning around offered a wonderful vista of the hills that sit all around our High Peak town and the steep overflow for this water source.

IF ITS VIEWS YOU WANT

Whaley Bridge Athletic FC then and the pitch is completely encased with tubular style plastic barriers these were of the solid format not the wobbly type for want of a better descriptor.  The two dugouts a smartly situated and with no hard standing around the ground most spectator areas were quite muddy and clearly you could spot a regular with boots or wellingtons afoot.  The far end from our current position and by the Park Rd entrance houses the changing room and small café that offered tea and soup alongside the usual confectionary.  It was a friendly welcome and the set up a pleasant surprise the down side for the club is they cant take an admission but hopefully a majority were happy to contribute to the raffle.  Whaley have always come across as a good club to me in past research and the only thing really missing here is of course a programme that would top off what is a delightful ground that just keeps giving in the scenery stakes, although I'm wisely advised to try it in January!

WHALEY PLAYERS SURROUND PINXTONS STUBLEY

To the game and Pinxton were resplendent in day-glow orange a kit that worked really well in todays dark cloud that at regular intervals hid the sun from the afternoon.  The visitors started strongly with Nathan Benger setting up Jack Hawkins whose shot was pushed away by James Tattersall in the Whaley goal.  Pinxton were bossing the game and on 14 minutes took the lead again Benger was the threat his shot was parried into the path of Pete Stubley who swept the ball home.

PINXTON TAKE THE LEAD

Whaley were struggling to keep Pinxton at bay and non more so that a few moments later when Tattersall had to be alert again to save from Benger, worryingly the game I though would be very close was looking like a Pinxton stroll.  However hope was restored for Whaley on 27 minutes a Jamie Kay corner off the left was headed back into the business area and Joe Burgess fired the loose ball into the Pinxton goal to level it.

JOE BURGESS [7] LEVELS IT FOR WHALEY BRIDGE

The home side were right back in it now testing Pinxton who were ready for half time but it didn't come quick enough when Burgess [J] strode through on the inside right position to fire past Andrew Francis in the visitors goal.
A Half time lead was more than Whaley could probably have foreseen after 20 minutes but now we had a game on our hands.  After a refreshment stop and catch up with Mr R from the Buxton parish who had come along for a catch up and a local game for him, good to see you!

CELEBRATIONS AS WHALEY GO INTO THE LEAD

Second period saw Pinxton pushing hard for the equaliser but Whaley Bridge hitting back as the game went from end to end.  Chances were at a premium but George Burgess got in a superb twisting header that crashed back off the bar before at the other end Stubley saw his goal bound shot cleared just short of the goal line.

PENALTY WRAPS IT UP

As Pinxton tired there was time for a final goal from the penalty spot referee Wilson had no doubt when Jace Brown was grounded and Jack Gregory converted from the spot to make it 3-1.  Straight from the re start it was all over and probably the longest trip in the Derbyshire Senior Cup was sealed with Whaley booked to travel to Gresley Rovers in the south of the county.  No time to celebrate mind you as nets and posts were all taken down by the players and officials after a come back victory that further showed the strength of Whaley Bridge Athletic Fc.
With a trip to The Shepherds Arms after the game a further look at one of the many public houses finished off a pleasant trip to the Whaley and I cant wait to revisit next time for a Cheshire League fixture and further look around this superb little town.