Only a couple of miles separate these teams, and only one Division. Pinxton could have been playing in the EMCL with their hosts after finishing 3rd in the CML Supreme Divison, but the CMFL was a little reluctant to lose one of their better teams.
Fellow blogger "Beat The First Man" tweeted that this "game was dire, but the weather nice". Going to disagree on both points. The sun was out, true, but the wind spoiled it - it was cold and eye watering, and by 4:30pm my coat was zipped up to the chin!!
As for the game, Pinxton gave as good as they got and only lost thanks to one piece of bad luck - a defensive slip up three minutes before the break exposing keeper Dave O'Hare, allowing Arron Large to fire into an empty net.
Both sides saw chances galore go begging, and towards the end of the game, Blackwell were forced to hang on grimly as Pinxton tried in vain to grab the leveller.
Pinxton almost went ahead on 19, only a goal line clearance foiling Jay Cooper after he was found in front of goal by strike partner Ben Bacon.
Large had a cracking volley well saved by O'Hare in the 22nd minute, then Blackwell were lucky to survive as Cooper's rasping 22 yarder crashed off the bar.
Large was again on target with 5 minutes of the first half remaining, this time his shot bringing out a superb diving save from O'Hare.
Then came the goal, and it all stemmed from a ball played over the top of the visiting defence. Pinxton centre-back Sam Rawson appeared to slip as he went to shield the ball back to O'Hare, and the ball ended up at the feet of ARRON LARGE - the former Gedling Town man gleefully slotted home from close range.
Bacon had a chance to level with seconds of the first period to play, but from Evans' corner he clipped the ball just inches wide of Wayne Smith's goal. H-T 1-0
Kev spent the entire break deleting pictures off his camera - then we had a wander around and took up a position on the cricket pitch side of the ground.
Pinxton had the advantage of the gusting wind behind them second half, and they laid siege to the home goal early doors. A series of corners were won, culminating on the hour with a cracking block by Smith from Evans' bullet shot. Smith was again the Welfare hero on 74, tipping over a powerful Bacon header.
The Pinxton faithful thought their team had levelled in the 77th minute - Evans hit a neat free-kick at goal and it flew just over the bar, rippling the net as it came back off the wall behind the goal! Bacon also went close from a free-kick a few minutes later, again the ball going inches over the bar.
As the game entered stoppage time, Pinxton strove to grab the equaliser, throwing keeper O'Hare into the fray as they battered the Blackwell defence. Fair play to Blackwell, they stood firm and kept out their visitors to advance into the Vase second round. F-T 1-0
Admission £5
Programme £1
Attendance 112
Bacon had a chance to level with seconds of the first period to play, but from Evans' corner he clipped the ball just inches wide of Wayne Smith's goal. H-T 1-0
Kev spent the entire break deleting pictures off his camera - then we had a wander around and took up a position on the cricket pitch side of the ground.
Pinxton had the advantage of the gusting wind behind them second half, and they laid siege to the home goal early doors. A series of corners were won, culminating on the hour with a cracking block by Smith from Evans' bullet shot. Smith was again the Welfare hero on 74, tipping over a powerful Bacon header.
The Pinxton faithful thought their team had levelled in the 77th minute - Evans hit a neat free-kick at goal and it flew just over the bar, rippling the net as it came back off the wall behind the goal! Bacon also went close from a free-kick a few minutes later, again the ball going inches over the bar.
As the game entered stoppage time, Pinxton strove to grab the equaliser, throwing keeper O'Hare into the fray as they battered the Blackwell defence. Fair play to Blackwell, they stood firm and kept out their visitors to advance into the Vase second round. F-T 1-0
Admission £5
Programme £1
Attendance 112
