Basford Utd 2-2 Pinxton (CMLS)

Saturday 25th February -- kick off 3:01pm

Pinxton had to win this game to keep their slim hopes of the League title alive - and they were so, so close - only finally succumbing to intense Basford pressure in second half added time. A draw at Greenwich Avenue is a very creditable result as Basford are still unbeaten at home in the league, but it must feel like a defeat for the Pinxton lads.

The first half saw Pinxton outplay their hosts in every area of the pitch, and they took a deserved 2-0 lead into the changing rooms at the break.

KIERON DEBROUWER netted the first for Pinxton on 6 after he was fed from the right, the no. 11 controlled superbly before turning and firing past Curtis McDonald and into the roof of the net.

Basford offered hardly anything in return, and Pinxton doubled their lead with 20 minutes played. JAY COOPER was allowed too much space in front of goal,  and when he was picked out the youngster calmly rounded McDonald before rolling the ball into the net.

Jarrod Westcarr had arguably Basford's best chance of the half on the half hour, but after Courteney Hastings found him unmarked at the far post, the winger blazed hopelessly over the bar. 

Pinxton's Joe Riley saw yellow in the 33rd minute - an offence that neither Kev or me saw, but that Referee Aidan Coleman did ... and the booking prompted Joe's Uncle Richard to remark about his nephew's regular contribution to F.A. funds!!  H-T 0-2

Basford had a chance to reduce their deficit within 90 seconds of the restart, but the ball was cleared off the line after a mad scramble in the Pinxton 6 yard box.  The home team did claw a goal back on 52 through AARON HOOTON, the half time sub somehow poking the ball into the net from the foot of the post after Greg Marriott had failed to clear.  

Pinxton had very few chances in the second half as Basford applied more and more pressure, but they should have gone further ahead in the 73rd minute, but no-one was able to connect with a well placed DeBrouwer free-kick fired in at the far post.

Wayne Cooke then tried a spectacular overhead kick on 77, but the acrobatic effort flew well over McDonalds' goal.  United's pressure finally told in stoppage time. Pinxton keeper Scott Whittingham had had a very good debut game, but his mis-kick in the first extra minute flew to a Basford foot. He was given a chance to make amends when the ball was deflected  back to him, but the keeper slashed at it wildly and sliced it out for a corner.

United keeper McDonald entered into the fray, and his presence in the 6 yard box appeared to unsettle the visiting team. When Jarrod Westcarr fired in the corner, the ball was apparently handled by a Pinxton player - too far away and too crowded for us to see who was the guilty party, but Mr. Coleman was in no doubt about the offence and duly awarded the penalty that DARREN GARMSTON calmly fired past Whittingham.  Goal timed at 90 + 4 minutes. F-T 2-2

Admission £3

Programme £1

Tea £0.60 ( large styrofoam cup )

Attendance  -- best estimate between 40 and 50