We haven't been to Pinxton since the departure of Jamie Renshaw and Keiran Debrouwer, so we weren't sure how they have adapted without them. We always receive a warm welcome at Wharf Road, and today was special as we actually claimed the raffle prize - our first of the season.
As we parked up, it was great to see our friend Brian Dennett entering the car park - great to see him out and about again. His Carlton Town team were hosting Hucknall Town, but after his recent spell of poor health, the poor old bugger is still not up to resuming his role as Press Officer at Stoke Lane, so he made the short trip to Pinxton and enjoyed a thrilling game, with 5 goals, three sendings off and a string of memorable saves from Pinxton keeper Dave O'Hare.
Glen Clarence was in sole charge of team affairs for Pinxton, as Kenny Shinfield and Sean Connor were both away.
It took only three minutes for Pinxton to open their account, BEN MOORE prodding home from close range after Clifton keeper Joe Parlatt had done well to block the ball as it was fired in from the right, but his defenders failed to clear effectively leaving the Pinxton no.8 a simple tap in.
Moore wheels away after giving Pinxton the lead
Clifton were playing well and look a decent outfit - this is their first season in the CML South, but they have signed some quality players and were not going to lie down, even after conceding the first goal. They were level on 15 thanks to a cracking free-kick from NEIL THOMPSON that flew past the despairing dive of keeper O'Hare.
Neil Thompson (out of shot) fires past O'Hare
Josh Parker almost gifted Clifton the lead after 25 minutes had been played, stepping over the ball seemingly unaware that Clifton striker Danny Prance was behind him. The shot from the no. 9 was on target, but O'Hare spread himself well to block.
It was Parker's defensive parner Sam Rawson who was the next to incur the wrath of Clarence on 31, failing to clear the ball leaving Prance with a real chance 12 yards out - fortunately for Pinxton, the former Eastwood Town Academy player could only blaze wildly over. O'Hare then pulled off a superb double stop, again foiling the unlucky Prance. H-T 1-1
The game had been played in the right spirit - plenty of good strong challenges and some decent passage of play, but things turned a litlte sour on 58 when Clifton's Vaughan Harvey flew in to Wayne Cooke with both sets of studs showing. Referee Aiden Coleman had no other option than to dismiss Harvey, and it turned out to be a double punishment for the travellers, as ELLIOTT JONES headed home after Parlatt had done well to save the original cross from the set piece.
Recent Pinxton recruit DAN "WELSHY" WILLIAMS added the home teams third in the 71st minute, and Kev caught it brilliantly on camera! Five sequential shots after the striker had collected and turned to fire at goal.
Clifton went down to nine men, and Pinxton 10 on 79. Referee Coleman should have maybe stopped the game after Joe Riley had fouled Craig Anderson, but he let play go on, and a scuffle ensued - then both Anderson and Thompson sought a "quiet word" with Riley....well, Thompson appeared to strike Riley, so Riley put Thompson on his arse. Although the Ref may have erred originally, he didn't shirk his responsibility and duly showed both players straight red cards.
Clifton seemed to settle more after the dismissals, and pulled a goal back through hot shot MICHAEL EVANS with two minutes to go. Coleman then played a big chunk of added time, all of which was played in Pinxton's half. A string of six corners - all with keeper Parlatt in the box - almost saw the away team grab a point. Only last ditch defending and a hack or two off the goal line preserved the home teams advantage. F-T 3-2.
Great game, and it wasn't a dirty one, just a couple of flash points that were sorted out by the Ref without too much fuss and drama.
Admission £2
Programme £1
H/C 72
