We all stand together: OH DEAR

PINXTON 0 V CLIPSTONE 1

UCL DIVISION ONE AT WHARF LANE

5 OCTOBER 2024 --- 3PM

PINXTON V CLIPSTONE WITH MIKE WILLIAMS ON THE BALL

A wonderful goal in the second minute of stoppage time provided the only goal in a game that for the previous 91 minutes was an awful advert for entertainment. But it was enough for the disappointing league leaders to gain their tenth league win and secure a five point gap at the head of The UCL Division One table.

HERE COME THE TEAMS

This day started strangely with a direct trip to Pinxton and never really fancying the chippy in the village it was planned for a pasty stop at the Coop near to the Wharf Lane ground. This proved a flop with a large queue and one person serving with no self service on offer and after a wonder round and joining the queue which was slightly lesser the lady who had come out from the storeroom to help out left the frontline. By now the front of me had two trolley laden shoppers so its was time for me to replace my produce into the fridge in a 'huff'. So much as this game looked like a 0-0 score for all bar that late strike it would be an afternoon devoid of chippy or Coop food a rare collectors item, I cant help but feel this was too big an explanation but there's not much forthcoming from the game so a filler is definitely needed.

One of these days I'm going to turn up earlier and walk down to the canal and railway line that's probably my final bit of Pinxton that I have not uncovered over the last ten years or so of visiting.

But for today up to the ground to pay in my fiver and the usual friendly greeting on the gate with a gathering of people forming around the entrance discussing what should be a cracking game as the league leaders visit the new boys to this step level and with not too many points separating them there was hope from the locals of mini upset.

Nice to see the new 'hop in' mural in the stand adjacent to the snack bar produced by High Peak Artist a smart effort and something alongside the Pinxton badge that has brightened up the small enclosure.

GOOD ARM STRETCH HERE FROM THE REFEREE

Before the game it was nice to catch up with a hopper from Aylesbury, sorry didn't get your name, but we were able to discuss grounds and visits etc as we always do and also discuss Clay Cross Town where he had visited and been asked to sign the visitors book by non other than the late Mr Johnny Gore. Bless him he loved his role at the club and welcomed the famous and not so famous all the same and if you had travelled he would search you out to sign the 'book', something that many hoppers I have since seen recount back in their memories of a visit to Mill Lane.

QUIET WORD WITH MIKE WILLIAMS FROM REFEREE CALVERT

Match officials today were headed up by Ryan Calvert, Lincolnshire FA, who I don't think I have seen before and looked mightily impressive today. Also Kooner Singh as assistant referee who I had not watched in a game and he was joined the experienced David Williams, not a first, who took up the senior role managing the dug outs. It was also nice to be involved with a small chat with them before the game, thanks guys.

CHARLIE HARDWICK PLAYS THE BALL THROUGH

Thanks to Clipstone who supplied me with teams and after a further chat with the regular Pinxton photographer who produces some good work it was time to start the proceedings with a bright sun shining from the Wharf side of the ground positioning was critical.

JUST WIDE FOR UNGLESS BROOKS

A workmanlike first half produced little in chances but Pinxton definitely had the upper hand in this scrappy affair. It was Ty Macaskill with two chances before the beak that produced the most first a cross goal shot that fell just out of the reach of any stretched leg and then moments later he broke through on goal only for Dale Sheppard to race out to block his effort.

SHERWOOD CLAIMS UNDER CHALLENGE FROM WILLIAMS

So we arrived at half time with a fair score line to reflect what had happened on the green baize, as ever a superb effort from the Pinxton groundsman! It was looking lush and green and hopefully the weather holds fair for all clubs especially when the effort that's gone into this one deserve a consistent season on this surface.

WILL UNGLESS BROOKS DOWN THE RIGHT WING

I cannot report much different in second half adventures the game remained very scrappy and although as ever at non league level you cannot fault player efforts it was however proving rather a bore for the neutral fan. I did search out see if you could get a long distant shot of the traffic lights in Pinxton changing for a little action but sadly I could not see them from my position.

ASSISTANT REF KOONER SINGH AND THE NEW HOP IN MURAL

Pinxton although I guess also a little disappointed would have I'm sure settled for the draw but as so often happens the sucker punch came when we entered the second minute of time added on substitute Michael Hague put in a superb cross off the left to the back post for the waiting Mike Williams who volleyed the ball into the roof of the Pinxton net. Three points wrapped up with a lovely move that would remain the only memorable point from this game.

PUNCHED AWAY BY HOME KEEPER WILL SHERWOOD

A big disappointment for the home side who will certainly be safe in their new step level venture and Clipstone and their manager were first to admit that it was not pretty and they were fortunate with a draw, probably a fair result. At least it was not a 0-0 game though the one thing we all dislike as neutrals.

FOR THE SECOND WEEK RUNNING WE HAVE A CAUTION ON THE BENCH

This is how titles are won though and after going close last season Clipstone will be determined to push themselves through the season and were better than from the top spot and results like this are often a signal to which way a season may go.