THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS 0 V PINXTON 7
CMFL SOUTH @ THE FIELDINGS
23 AUGUST 2019 --- 7.45PM
Just two goal scorers for Pinxton in Kieran Debrouwer, four, and a hat trick from Rob Fretwell showed up a ruthless streak as the visitors swept aside league new boys Mansfield Hosiery Mills.  In fairness to the home side this will probably be the toughest challenge of the season and after ninety minutes it was like comparing apples and pears.  Many a side with the striking prowess of Pinxton would have probably arrived at The Fielding and attempted to stroll through the game but in fairness the boys in Day-Glo orange were at it from the first whistle.

YOU CAN SEE PINXTON COMING BUT CAN YOU STOP THEM

A few years since a game had been taken in at The Fieldings and it would have been Sutton Town v Holwell sports in a mid week if the memory serves well in The East Midlands Counties League.  Arrival in Huthwaite via a variety of buses allowed a visit for hoppers stuff from the Coop before a short walk crossing the border by about 50 yards into Sutton In Ashfield, so close is the ground that it associates with.  Indeed Sutton is a strange town that has struggled in the past to support a football side with Town, North Notts, Oakham Utd and Ashfield United the latter following a move to neighbouring Kirkby In Ashfield.  Its all a complicated tale for another day but with Ashland Rovers taking up premier club in Kirkby its left to Mansfield HM to keep up the Sutton representation.
Just off the Sutton Road, in Huthwaite, close by the ground was the former mill a massive site that in its height employed around 1,500 in the mid 1960's.  Initially a Coop enterprise it moved through varying owners before finally closing in the early 2000's.  Now the site which towered the neighbouring terraced houses has been demolished save for the last few feet of the building to protect the site and light is restored to the local community, although one guesses it wont be long before houses are built upon the former machine rooms.

MORE ADVERTISING FOR THE BURNLEY FC CLUB SHOP AS DAVE MODELS 1970S REPLICA

The ground has had since my last visit a smart changing room, hospitality and snack bar added the new turnstiles were in operation with signs still acknowledging Sutton Town but Hosiery Mills feature first now on the approach wall.  A pleasant welcome and programme were obtained as we paid in and a plethora of the local great and good from the hopper circuit were greeted.  The tightness of the ground is its selling feature close to the action with just room for one person to walk round behind you with the far bottom corner featuring an Atcost stand in old Sutton colours.
As the neighbouring clubhouse that sits proudly by the smart cricket club emptied kick off arrived with over 200 in for this Friday night fixture certainly a success for the league and Mansfield Hosiery Mills who gained plaudits for their conduct and welcome tonight from many.
Pinxton are chasing that title this season and this became obvious from the off with sharp tackles and pace to the fore it was Debrouwer who opened the floodgates on 21 minutes with a half bicycle kick and when five minutes later he headed home powerfully to double the lead you started to fear for the home side.

MEG WAS MORE THAN UP FOR THIS GAME FOLLOWING EVERY PASS

A sweet flowing move made it 3-0 when Fretwell hit a lovely controlled finish that many may have skied over the cross bar and that's how we arrived at half time.
Within five minutes of the restart Fretwell fired in his second after great work down the left by Daniel Minto.  Referee Rees got in on the act with the first of three penalties on 55 minutes and it allowed Debrouwer to complete his hat trick and his fourth and the half a dozen were up for Pinxton just seven minutes later when he calmly slotted home.
Flowing moves were coming thick and fast and the second penalty award allowed Fretwell to notch his triple and Pinxton hit seven on the scoreboard.  It should have been eight with three minutes remaining when spire town referee Rees secured his own hat trick with a third penalty award but Shaun Smith appeared to take sympathy on Mansfield with a poor spot kick that allowed home keeper Liam Gilbourne to get across to save.  Here there has to be special mention for Gilbourne who kept this score line at the level it ended at with some excellent saves and punches the latter especially with the towering Debrouwer often in attendance.

THE OLD MILL NO MORE NIGHT SHIFT BUSES LINED UP ON HIGH STREET

A dominant performance from Pinxton who if they play at this tempo through the season will take a lot of stopping as for Hosiery Mills this will be their toughest test of the season and it was a shame it was on a special night like this but they gained many congratulations for their ongoing efforts off the field to promote a club in Sutton in Ashfield again.