Pinxton 0 Hucknall Town 3

Match Report by Derek Harlow

Teams
Pinxton: Liam Power, John Fones, Liam Green, Lee Stevenson, Perry Marriot, Nick Hall, Joe Riley Dan Riley, Jay Cooper, James Whitfield, Kieran Debrouwer.

Subs: Choz Charlesworth, Wayne Cooke, Cameron Short, Josh Andrews, Jamie Thomas

Hucknall: 1 Mike Randall 2 Ethan Greenidge 3 Aaron Short 4 David Leak (capt) 5 Jordan Phillips 6 Sam Sims 7 Jamie Crawford 8 Michael Banister 9 Matt Brian 10 Kajally Danso 11 Joe Ashurst

Subs: Adam Nelson, Cayne Maxwell, Lenford Jenkins, Jack Smith,

Hucknall claimed 3 vital points but it wasn’t as easy as the score line suggests with Pinxton pushing their opponents all the way.
Hucknall welcomed Mike Randall back in goal in place of the injured Adam Jablonski. Aaron Short returned at left back. Kajally Danso played up front alongside Matt Brian after the pairing did so well together in the reverse league fixture at Watnall Road. Jack Smith dropped down to the bench.
Hucknall started well and had the home side on the back foot from the off. Matt Brian was looking sharp up front and it was he who opened the scoring slotting home at the far post after good work from Jamie Crawford in the 15th minute.
Pinxton then got into their stride and had a period of sustained pressure. Mike Randall was forced into to good saves and Pinxton thought they had equalised when the ball went wide of Randall but struck the foot of the post before being cleared. Pinxton were made to rue the missed opportunities when Brian claimed his 2nd turning smartly in the box and slotting the ball home in the 33rd minute. Pinxton continued to cause problems but Hucknall defended well. Hucknall’s forwards were quick on closing down the home keeper and nearly capitalised twice on mistakes.
The second half saw Pinxton give everything but Hucknall’s defence was rock solid. Hucknall finally sealed the points when Joe Ashurst stroked the ball home in the 75th minute. There was still time for another exceptional save from Randall who had been outstanding throughout.
The two teams meet again this Tuesday in the floodlit Cup semi final also at the Van Elle where Pinxton will be looking to gain revenge on the Yellows.
Hucknall's substitutions all in the second half were Maxwell for Greenidge Nelson for Brian and Smith for Ashurst.