PINXTON DIVERT TO THE TOP

PINXTON 3 MICKLEOVER RES 0

CMFL SOUTH AT WHARF ROAD

26 NOVEMBER 2022 --- 2PM

HECTIC IN THE PENALTY BOX IN PINXTON V MICKLEOVER RESERVES

Not only did the blog divert to this game but Pinxton produced a comfortable win and the resultant three points that diverted them over Clay Cross Town to the top of the CMFL South table after their game was called off at South Normanton Athletic.  Two first half goals from Robert Fretwell and a lovely finish from Ben Jones in the second half were enough to see off a spirited Mickleover challenge.

GROUND AND SURROUNDING AREA OVERVIEW

As ever a downpour of a week had made selecting a game a risk and in the end after a weather forecast that really could not make its mind up I went for the 'safe' option which proved no to be so.  Setting off on a Comet to Alfreton and departing for the 30 minute walk to the ground I was grateful for a text from Mr B of the hoppers parish to say referee Chris Roberts had just contacted him to say Willington could not raise a team and just over an hour before the game it was off.  Well as ever I had on the list Pinxton at the start of the week having not visited Wharf Road for a little while diversion came into play.

So a quick dash onto a connecting bus to Pinxton now and then realising I had no cash for admission, thankfully I was aware of the Coop near the ground and the machine was working, otherwise I may have been pleading for a pay you later entrance.

EARLY PINXTON PRESSURE

A pleasant greeting at the ground situated off Wharf Road and behind the massive welfare a lot of the ground remains open to viewing from outside but for £3 if you really can stretch to supporting the club its a must because they are always 'there or there abouts', much like Clay Cross Town who normally perform their close promotion calls in the north division but this season will compete with Pinxton for the silverware.

I have covered the ground before but here is a brief overview its a tight affair with changing rooms behind the welfare down a steep slope a small but adequate stand sits towards that corner with Perspex dug outs towards the half way line.  The opposite end of the welfare has a large bank with with a bench seat offering a sit down view that commands the pitch and surrounding area as well.  This end also features the snack bar, toilets and a raised viewing stand.  Down the entrance side its backed up by meshed green fencing with the pay box being the only furniture. 

MORE DEFENDING FOR MICKLEOVER TO DO

With Pinxton in second place and the visitors in a mid table position it could be an interesting encounter once again for a Saturday played in dark conditions but not quite as bad as last weeks at Shirebrook.  The game had been arranged for a 2pm kick off to save some money on floodlights although so dark did it get that shortly after half time they had to be turned on anway.

It was an enterprising start from both sides with the first action being a very early caution for the visitors Charlie Rock.  The home side were looking the most likely going close to taking the lead on a couple of occasions but it didn't take long for the deadlock to be broken.  After fourteen minutes the imposing Fretwell drove home sharply passed Tom Bill in the Mickleover goal.

DRINKS BREAK

Much as Pinxton looked like extending their lead the actual event did not arrive until two minutes before the break and again it was Fretwell whose powerful downward header beat the keeper and defender on the line.

By the time the players were out for the restart the light was poor enough that I had made the call to put the camera away.

Starting brightly though were the visitors with Fin Ryder seeing his shot pushed away by Adam Jablonski in the home goal and then a superb last gasp block in the box denied a sharp effort from captain Ben Horleston.

FRETWELL MAKES IT 2-0

Mickleover were certainly showing some resilience and have a nice young team who could so easily have pulled themselves back into the game.  But Pinxton were just that bit stronger and when the second half seemed to be drifting away from them in possession sense after their first half enterprise they extended their lead.  It was a beauty too with Jones cutting in off the right on his right foot dinking past the defender and firing into the far corner of the Mickleover goal with his left foot.  

Game over signs were in place now and despite a good effort from the visitors they could not stop the Wharf Road side from conquering the top of the table position and although Clay Cross have two games in hand the three point lead is points in the bag.

ROBERT FRETWELL RECEIVES CONGRATULATIONS ON HIS SECOND GOAL

So the season thread of 'walk and a game' policy really came about at the end of the game with around half an hour to the bus departure with a walk from Pinxton and out to the edge of South Normanton not much more than a mile but I'm counting it, next time I will be counting the walk to the turnstile.

An enjoyable visit to Pinxton hopefully wont be so long before next time.

BEN JONES ADVANCES FOR PINXTON