Central Midlands League South Division
Venue: The Van Elle Welfare Arena
Admission £3 / £2 concession
Programme: £1
Attendance – 45 (estimate)
Teams:
Pinxton: Power, Coupe (K), Ellis, Marriott, Fones, Riley (D), Fretwell, Riley (J), Green, Smith, Hallas
Arnold: Walker, Conn, Coupe (T), Harrison, Brooks, Ryan, Mitchell, Betteridge, Allen, Foster, Smith
Our first visit to Wharfe Road for a while – and on entering the ground we were both struck by the condition of the pitch – it’s an absolute cracker. All involved with the maintenance of the playing surface need to give themselves a right good old pat on the back. Also noticed a new covered area just down from the tea bar – we happily took shelter in this structure during the second period. The rain was on and off all throughout the game, but as the second half started it poured it down, and we were forced to head for cover.
Great to catch up with Dave Marlow and Kenny Shinfield – the teams respective managers, and it was also good to see a lot of old friends – all with a willing hand-shake and a warm hello! Arnold were relegated from the East Midlands Counties last term, and looking at their squad they seem, on paper at least, to have brought together some experienced and quality players who really ought do well this season.
Pinxton were without one or two of their regular starters, and were outplayed by their visitors right from the off. The Eagles passing and movement left the home defenders looking bewildered and at a loss as to how to deal with it. Greg Conn created Arnold’s goal in the ninth minute, running down the right before cutting in and firing the ball across the goal to where RORY SMITH was on hand to neatly flick home.Arnold should have had a second 5 minutes later, Conn again running in from the right and finding Harry Allen at the far stick – unfortunately the striker failed to convert what looked to be a golden chance.
With 26 played, Arnold had another great chance. Ruban Mitchell broke free and raced goal-wards, but as keeper Liam Power advanced the Arnold no. 7 seemed to panic a little, and fired the ball well over the bar.
Pinxton had shown very little during the first 45, but were given a boost right on the stroke of half-time when Eagles’ skipper Billy Brooks was sin-binned for disputing a decision a little too strongly for Referee Kelvin Wilson’s liking. H-T 0-1
The second half started slowly, but we were eventually treated to a bit of a gem! Brooks saw out his mandatory 10 minutes in the bin, but was replaced almost immediately by Tom Coupe, who had questioned the assistant referee a little too vociferously – yes, it was a throw taken from the wrong blade of grass, but all players at this level must know what happens when dissent raises it’s ugly head….
Pinxton failed to take advantage of the two sin bin spells, and then looked to have blown any chance of getting anything from the game with an hour played, when Dan Riley made an awful challenge on Ash Foster. The challenge saw the Arnold midfielder carried from the playing area by his team-mates, and Riley receiving a straight red.
Wayne Cooke had been introduced into the game at half-time and he created all kinds of problems for the Eagles defensive line. Nathan Benger came on just after the restart, and his pairing up top with Smith also caused the Arnold back line a lot of problems. Something of a masterstroke from Pinxton boss Kenny Shinfield. Chay Betteridge received a caution for a poor challenge on 71 and two minutes later the scores were level. Walker fluffed a clearance and the ball fell kindly to J.J. Fones. The defender raced into the box and Tom Coupe had little choice other than to bring him down as he ran through on goal. Penalty awarded, but no card shown. Should have been a yellow at least, but did “double jeopardy” apply in this case? It mattered not to NATHAN BENGER who stepped up and buried the spot kick to level the scores.
The home team were playing much better with 10 men and with 82 played, SHAUN SMITH ran in from the left, took the ball around Walker and slotted home from 8 yards to score what was to prove to be the winning goal.
Arnold had hardly troubled Pinxton keeper Power in the second half, and although under-strength, the home team were, on the day, worthy winners. F-T 2-1
2 sin bins + 1 red + 1 yellow + 1 penalty – hard work for the ref, but on the whole most of his important decisions were correct.
Need to go back to the Van Elle – hopefully very soon.
An album of Kev's pics from the game can be seen by clicking this link
