These teams are situated just a couple of miles from each other....and the rivalry is as intense as you would expect. It was hoped that the teams would produce some football on the day, and not just want to kick lumps out of each other.
There were a few meaty challenges, but nothing to write home about. The result is worth writing about - this was on paper, an away banker, but someone forgot to tell that to Athletic!!
A crowd of well over 200 were treated to some great action, and two goals that would be replayed over and over again if they had have scored at the highest level.
Spent the first half in the company of Rob Hornby, and all the game with our friend Chris Daglish. Chris lives in Normo and whenever we meet him at Lees Lane, there always seem to be plenty of goals..
The first goal came in only the fourth minute and it was a pearler! The ball was played out of defence and it sat up perfectly for DANNY BRISCOE to volley spectacularly over Dave O'Hare from 22 yards. Cracking finish, and we thought this would add to Pinxton's fire, but they seemed out of sorts in defence, and it was no surprise when the home team doubled their lead in the 17th minute. The visitors failed to clear after a scramble in their area, and DAN RILEY added the final touch from 6 yards out.
Kieran Debrouwer had an effort well saved by the Normo keeper, but Pinxton were struggling to match their opponents in every area of the pitch. H-T 2-0
Pinxton appeared to have shaken off some of their malaise as the second half started, and with 8 minutes played, they had halved their deficit. A superb ball in by Ben Moore from the right wing was met at the far post by ARRON BRADY, the striker jumping well to nod home.
Pinxton keeper O'Hare did well to tip over a fine effort from Athletics no. 4, but the away team were by now in the ascendancy. They could have levelled on 67, but after Jay Cooper won the ball in a race with his marker, his effort was well blocked by the home keeper. Cooper then fired over from 6 yards after the Athletic defence panicked while under intense pressure. Costly miss, because instead of being 2-2, a belter of a goal a minute later at the other end made it 3-1.
Briscoe received the ball on the right, and when he fired it into the box, ADAM NICHOLLS hit a sublime over-head volley that flew across O'Hare before the keeper could react. How many w's in wowwwwwww? As many as you like....that was a special, very special goal.
Briscoe received the ball on the right, and when he fired it into the box, ADAM NICHOLLS hit a sublime over-head volley that flew across O'Hare before the keeper could react. How many w's in wowwwwwww? As many as you like....that was a special, very special goal.
With seconds to go, and with Pinxton deflated, NICHOLLS raced from the half way line and the away defence parted like the Red sea allowing the striker to enter the box and fire past O'Hare to round off a very good day for South Normanton Athletic. F-T 4-1
Their record of P7 W6 D1 L0 F33 A9 Pts19 sees them sit at the top of the table - and this result will certainly turn a few heads!!!!
Admission £3
Programme £1 - very poor effort - put to shame by some of the other CML publications....
Attendance -- estimated between 200 and 250. The car park was rammed!!
