Holders See Off Proud Pinxton.

Derbyshire Senior Cup 3rd Round Review.

Pinxton, in blue, & Alfreton their first competitive meeting.

The Derbyshire Senior Cup 3^rd round provided a glut of goals, some proper local derbies and a couple of unexpected results thrown in too. Unusually, all 8 ties were played on the same day with no need for rearranged games due to postponements as in previous years.

 

The Derbyshire Senior Cup.

41 goals were scored in this round as the more senior clubs joined the competition, including holders Alfreton Town whose game I attended, at Pinxton’s Roofsol Arena.

Pinxton 0 Alfreton Town 4.

This was a first competitive meeting between the clubs and was attended by a great crowd of 403. Aaron Brady and Aden Flint had played for both sides in the past and local football supporters will attend games of both clubs, as well as others in the area. 3.5 miles separate the respective grounds and it was fortunate the weather wasn’t the same as in the last round v Dronfield when it threw it down all game. 

 

Aden Flint played for both Pinxton & Alfreton.

Aaron Brady another who played for both clubs.

Remember the wonderful tea bar staff I mentioned in the last blog, Emma, Kayleigh, Theresa & Zoe, well they would have been rushed off their feet judging by the queue for the tea bar during the game. Thank you girls.

I mentioned how local football supporters will have a favourite side but they will also go and see others when they get chance. One such supporter is Spud, I used to see him regularly at Alfreton games but he's now more frequently at Pinxton games, though he did travel to Merthyr with Alfreton last month. For this game Spud was helping out by doing some stewarding near where the players enter the pitch.

Spud, helping out his local side.

Alfreton, struggling in the bottom 4 of the National League North, made hardly any changes, due to having a small squad and a few with injuries, so it was a strong side that started the game. Kieran Wallace came in for his debut and while some first teamers were on the bench others played who hadn’t done so for a while, Gerry McDonagh playing his first game under new manager Jake Buxton.

 

Gerry McDonagh making his first appearance under new manager Jake Buxton.

Performances had improved under Jake but we were still suspect in defence as evidenced by the heavy defeats to Buxton & Merthyr Town, admittedly 2 of the North divisions better sides. Alfreton supporters were confident, as you’d expect given the gap between the clubs respective leagues, but we were also mindful of the penalty defeat to Heanor Town just 2 seasons ago.

Alfreton had a perfect start as Jed Abbey’s headed effort from a 2^nd minute corner skimmed off Pinxton's Charlie Hardwick and deceived home keeper Seth Cheeseman and into the net, 1-0 to Ofton. 

 

Jed Abbey's deflected header evades Cheeseman.

Despair for Pinxton as Alfreton score after just 2 minutes.

Siya Ligendza signals the balls in the net, 1-0 to Ofton.

That goal should have been the catalyst for a more comfortable lead for the Reds, but Pinxton were well organised and dealt with the Alfreton pressure fairly well. Alfreton’s best effort in this first half pressure came from an effort from Taylor Anderson, on loan from Mansfield Town, which hit the bar. Gerry McDonagh & Joe Dodoo worked hard up front for Alfreton without really managing to trouble Cheeseman. Alfreton’s were most threatening from balls into the box but Pinxton kept the higher ranked visitors out, in particular, home captain Kane Hempshall was outstanding. Rising highest on numerous occasions to head Alfreton’s crosses away and also being there to block efforts too.

 

Kane Hempshall, blue in the centre, blocks another Alfreton effort.

The 2^nd half continued as the first half had played out, Alfreton dominating possession but not really creating anything of note. That changed on 59 minutes when a ball from the right found Siya Ligendza, in a suspiciously looking offside position, who tapped the ball past Cheeseman to give Alfreton a 2-0 cushion.

 

Siya Ligendza celebrates his goal.

This prompted Jake Buxton to make a number of substitutions which was bad news for Pinxton as senior players, Adam Lund, Lewis Salmon, Max Hunt & Mark Beck came on. George Cantrill also came on later in the game.

 

Adam Lund prepares one of his long throws.

Within minutes of coming on Lewis Salmon beat Cheeseman to a header to score but it was ruled out for a foul on the keeper. 

Lewis Salmon's challenge is deemed a foul.

Salmon did score on 80 minutes with a cheeky back heel into the Pinxton net. Four minutes later Mark Beck, who is on loan from Scunthorpe United, fired home Alfreton's 4^th goal. On 90 minutes it should have been 5 but Beck’s penalty, though sending Cheeseman the wrong way, went by the right hand post.

 

That cheeky flick by Lewis Salmon

Lewis Salmon's flick beats Seth Cheeseman.

The holders were into round 4, the Quarter Final stage. Pinxton should be proud of their run in this season’s competition, having 3 eventful games, playing some great football and holding their own against one of the county’s higher ranked semi-pro clubs for an hour. My visits in this run were very enjoyable, being privileged to be at a club that is forever evolving and improving, whether that be on the pitch or off it, they have some great facilities for this level and a hard working committee whose pride in their club is the motivation to provide for the local community.

More images from the Pinxton game.

Alfreton's Harry Perritt warming up.

Pinxton keeper Seth Cheeseman.

Pinxton's Kane Hempshall - MOTM

Jake Buxton putting some colour into the game.

The Pinxton Massive?

Young Reds

Good defending.

Referee Harry Jones checks on the Pinxton player.

The rest of the 2^nd round ties turned out like this.

Belper Town v Belper United 4-2.

A fantastic 717 turned up at Christchurch Meadow to see the “Bel Classico” as some bright spark titled it. The Nailers, pushing for promotion from the Step 4 Northern Premier Midlands Division, had too much for their step 5 visitors.

 

The queue for the "Bel Classico" copyright Football Away Days

United shared Town’s ground for a few years until the Nailers wanted to end the agreement in 2023. My blog in that 2022/23 season started off at Belper Town for United’s 1^st round win over South Normanton Athletic. At the conclusion of that season, with the ground sharing agreement ending, United announced they were moving to Eastwood Community’s Coronation Park ground and that agreement continues. Whether United will ever have their own ground in Belper that can stage step 6 football is debateable.

Like the Pinxton v Alfreton tie, this was also the first competitive meeting between the 2 clubs and the lower placed visitors were managing to keep the home side out. The task ahead was made more difficult on 28 minutes when Tyrel Francis was sent off for a push on Jacob Gratton as he headed towards goal. With a man down it was going to take some heroics by the United team to stay in the competition.

They held out until the 45^th minute when Moran volleyed home from close range after good work by Bastos on the wing. Unbelievably, and against the run of play, Belper United equalised 4 minutes into added time in the first half. It was in fortuitous circumstances that O’Connell’s shot took a deflection off Odunaiya to fool keeper Preston.

Belper Town quickly regained the lead after the restart but United, with a few former Nailer’s players in their side, took the game to Town in the second half despite being down to ten men. To home supporters relief Rhodes extended that to 3-1 after a cross from Wafula.

The game was set for an exciting finale when United scored a 2^nd on 82 minutes. Town soon dampened that enthusiasm though by scoring their 4^th just 1 minute later to progress.

Long Eaton United v Sandiacre Town 2-1

Yet another local derby as step 4 Long Eaton, at their excellent Grange Park ground, hosted step 6 neighbours Sandiacre Town. Just 3.5 miles separates each others’ grounds and in a first half of few chances the home side took a 16^th minute lead through Evan Garnett. Sandiacre deservedly levelled when David Kolodynski scored a 53^rd minute penalty after Owen Betts tripped Ricco Spencer.

The image, below, from the game is courtesy of Luz Photography, you can view their X account at MLuz_Shots

Action from Long Eaton Utd v Sandiacre Town

The equaliser prompted changes by Long Eaton manager Brad Munn as they looked to get some control back. It was on 75 minutes that Garnett slid in to score the final goal of the game and seal a 2-1 home win.

Mickleover v Chesterfield Reserves. 7-0

On the same night that Chesterfield’s fringe players were being beaten 5-1 at Doncaster Rovers in the Vertu Trophy a youthful side tagged as Chesterfield reserves were beaten heavily, 7-0, at Mickleover in the Derbyshire Senior Cup witnessed by a crowd of 201.

In the biggest winning margin of the round Mickleover didn’t score their first until half hour had been played but they were 3-0 ahead by half time thanks to goals by Archie White, Thabang Dube and Josiah Dyer.

In the 2^nd half White & Dube scored again with Corden & Dales finishing off the rout.

When pro clubs compete in their County cups they do tend to give a good account of themselves and it is a good workout against what is, usually, more physical sides, The young Spireites though don’t seem to have coped too well with this encounter.

Ilkeston Town v Borrowash Victoria 7-1

Another big win in the competition. This time Step 3 Ilkeston, lower mid-table in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, against Step 7 Borrowash Vics.

A dominant display from the Robins in front of 176 saw them progress to round 4. Taking an early lead through Jackson Blaize, they led 4-0 by half time after goals from former Alfreton Town player, Jamie Walker, Colin Daniel Jr and Robbie Fox.

The term former Alfreton Town player is loosely used here as Jamie was with us for part of pre-season then decided it wasn’t for him and he joined Ilkeston. He joined Alfreton from Long Eaton United after smashing in loads of goals in (that’s right I don’t have accurate figures).

Jamie Walker-never played competitively for Alfreton. 

Robbie Fox was the only player to score a hat-trick in this round of the Senior Cup as he got a 2^nd half brace alongside his first half effort. Harvey Kirby-Moore got the 7^th on 85 minutes.

A big defeat for Vics who have regrouped in recent years after almost folding they did win their next game 13-0, so not all bad for them.

We move towards the Peak District for our final three games.

New Mills v Gresley Rovers 5-1

A long trip for Gresley up to the edge of Greater Manchester for their 2^nd round tie and they came back with a heavy loss.

With a mixture of first teamers and reserves Gresley, who play in the step 5 United Counties League Premier North, took a 4^th minute lead through Jensen Cooper. 

Sitting lower mid-table the Moatmen were pegged back by New Mills of the step 6 North West Counties League Division 1 South when Josh Lowe headed home from a corner. Just 4 minutes later Millen Brown put a free kick into the visitors box and Maysam Bernarbia forced it home. It was 3-1 at half time after Saul Henderson ran through with just the keeper to beat and slotted it through his legs on 44 minutes.

Bernarbia headed home his 2^nd on 59 minutes and the scoring was completed when Saul Henderson scored a 74^th minute penalty.

Gresley were the dominant force in this competition between 1987 & 1997, winning the trophy 7 times in 10 seasons. New Mills have never won it and will be looking forward to their Quarter Final tie.

Buxton v Derby County ‘B’ 0-4

Finalists last season, winners the 2 seasons prior to that, Buxton would have been one of the favourites to win this trophy. That was before they made the 2^nd round of the FA Cup though and their important tie at League 2 Cheltenham Town which was on Saturday following this tie against Derby.

8 first team players were rested for this senior cup tie though they did field 9 players with first team experience, the rest of the squad was made up of U21’s. Harry Balfe & Liam Ruddock making their Bucks debuts.

Derby have regularly fielded their academy side, whether that be titled U21’s Academy or the B team. They take the competition seriously and were the last side to score against holders Alfreton Town in normal time when they came back from 5-2 down to draw 5-5 in the 2022/23 season and followed that up by beating Ofton on penalties.

The Bucks gave a good account of themselves but the young Rams used their technical ability well to carve open the Bucks and scored 2 goals either side of half time.

Cruz Allen, a Welsh under 19 international impressed and scored both first half goals, the second a penalty. Jerome Richards & Owen Eames got the 2^nd half goals to ease the B team into the quarter finals in front of 243 at the Silverlands.

Glossop North End v Matlock Town 2-1

Matlock fielded 11 debutants, their U21 side appeared in this Derbyshire Senior Cup tie as step 5 Glossop came from 1-0 down to deservedly beat step 4 Matlock in the High Peak in front of 155 spectators.

The main stand at Glossop North End.

Cover at Glossop's Surrey Street ground.

In a gritty first half Matlock led thanks to a 36^th minute deflected shot from Jake Thompson which looped over the Glossop keeper. They thought they’d doubled that lead 6 minutes later but the offside flag ruled it out.

As the first half went on Matlock were more on top since scoring and were worthy of the lead they took into the break.

Glossop stepped up a gear as the 2^nd half began, putting Matlock on the back foot. After a couple of half chances Dylan McMahon slipped a beautiful pass into the penalty are for Gabby Moone-Munoz, making his 50^th appearance for the Hillmen, to run onto put a cross across the front of the goal for Adam Oureghi to win the race and force the ball home, 1-1.

Further pressure from the home side came to nothing and when it looked like going to penalties a high ball down the left saw Oureghi run in and take possession, beat the back tracking Matlock defender and put the ball past Matlock keeper Ashton Rinaldo, who had come to the corner of the penalty area ,to take the tie, sparking celebrations from the home supporters gathered behind the goal. 

Summary.

County cups are not always high on the agenda as clubs save their players for other games, like Buxton’s FA Cup 2^nd round tie, Matlock’s push for promotion from the Northern Premier League’s East Division and all the other permutations for our clubs taking part in this competition. It’s like all competitions, as the prospect of a final gets closer then it’s taken more seriously.

I love our county Cup but I do understand how clubs are worried about their players picking up an injury when they need them for a relegation battle, as Alfreton are in, or a promotion push which Belper Town are hoping for. Despite all that, this round served up some great football in front of impressive crowds with plenty of drama. Remarkably, none of the ties went to penalties, all were done and dusted within the 90 minutes plus the extra bit the refs added. There were a number of local derbies to help with the excitement, anticipation and attendances, the only game I couldn’t find a crowd figure for was Long Eaton.

In recent years the Derbyshire FA have been great at covering the competition on social media, this was lacking in recent weeks with the 3^rd round not being on the Derbyshire FA website until the results were known, though it was available if you scrolled through their social media accounts. It would be nice if stats, such as attendances, goal scorers, including times, maybe even line ups from games were included in the results section. Another wish is that clubs issued programmes, thank you to Pinxton who have produced one in all 3 of their ties this season and thanks also to any other club who have done likewise. The Derbyshire FA could stipulate that this is done, again, I get the reasons why, it’s difficult for clubs nowadays if they’re finding it difficult to get someone to take this on. Having said that, Pinxton, run entirely by volunteers at step 6, managed it.

 

Pinxton's programme.

Quarter Finals.

The draw for the next round was on social media just a couple of days after the 3^rd round ties had been decided and there is some great looking ties.

Belper Town v Long Eaton United.

An all NPL Midland Division tie.

Ilkeston Town v Alfreton Town.

Step 3 Ilkeston against Step 2 Alfreton with both sides struggling in their leagues this season.

Mickleover v Derby County ‘B’.

Another NPL Midland Division side will find it tough going against the young Rams.

New Mills v Glossop North End.

The tie of the round as this local derby should serve up a treat. Home advantage for the North West Counties Division 1 South side against North End who are 1 division higher could see an upset.

All ties are due to be played on Tuesday 13^th December with 19:45 ko times, but check clubs social media accounts for any changes.

The Quarter Final Venues.

The Raygar Stadium home of Belper Town.

The Microlise New Manor Ground - home of Ilkeston Town.

The Don Amott Arena - home of Mickleover.

New Mills Church Lane ground