The second round draw of the Derbyshire Senior Challenge Cup brought together two teams from the Central Midlands Football League (Tier 11). Clay Cross play in the northern section whereas Pinxton play in the southern section.
Clay Cross, 'The Millers', play there home games at the Mill Lane Ground in the town. Under a previous sponsorship deal the ground used to be known as the 'I Want Pet Foods' ground. In this age of sponsorship there have been some odd ground names but this has to be one of the strangest. Being from Derby I know that The Rams play at a stadium named after an energy drink. Some ground names are funny even without sponsorship. Other funny ground names have included / do include:
Tony Macaroni Arena - Livingstone
KitKat Cresent - York
The Dripping Pan - Lewes
Arnold Schwarzenneger Stadium - Graz
Middelfart Stadium - Denmark
Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium - Dumbarton
Hunky Dorys Park - Drogheda
Bargain Booze Stadium - Northwich
The World of Smile Stadium - Cheltenham
As I have already had a 'pop' at the name of Derby County's stadium and, as my companion for this evening was a Nottingham Forest fan, I thought it only fair to comment on the name of The Reds' ground. They play at The City Ground. The City Ground is technically in West Bridgford, a town, not a city.
Mill Lane is narrow; too narrow really to cope with fans parking along it outside the ground. But we had to park on the road as the car park at the ground is tiny. I was surprised at the number of cars and I was surprised at the number of fans attending on a cold, rainy, autumn night for such an insignificant cup game. But 60 or so hardy souls turned up. A number of Pinxton fans were in the crowd, but I guess that the 9 miles they had to travel was not too arduous (unlike for me who drove from work in Northamptonshire).
The playing surface was of an excellent standard and the rain added a 'zip' to the run of the ball upon it. The ground itself was tidy with a modern and functional covered standing and seating area, under which we stood.
The Millers are doing quite well this season and have gained some loyal followers. It was the first time, at this level, I had seen fans wearing scarves sporting the name of their club. It was nice to see. Clay Cross deserve a decent following and I intend to visit again.
Clay Cross, playing in their sky blue home kit, were the better team and the eventual score line did not flatter them. The tangerine clad Pinxton did not really threaten the goal in the first half, bar a couple of tantalising crosses that flew across Millers' six yard box. Pinxton did get into the game in the second half, for a short while, but only when Clay Cross took their foot off the gas after going 2:0 up. But the match was really about how good Clay Cross were. They looked dangerous going forward. Their right winger had a blinding turn of pace and the left sided midfielder had some nice skills including some deft touches, feints and dips of the shoulder.
The goals are summarised thus:
1:0 - A ball in from the right found an unmarked attacker at the far post and from seven yards and the striker converted the chance by placing the ball back past the 'keepers' left hand.
2:0 - A short corner to the edge of the box was riffled through the throng of players at the 'keeper. The 'keeper spilt the ball which was pounced upon at close range.
2:1 - A ball upfield from Pinxton was well controlled 25 yards out by the striker who then struck the ball past the 'keeper from the edge of the box.
3:1 - A perfectly weighted ball across the six yard box followed from a good run down the right; the ball being swept home by the onrushing attacker in a central position.
3:2 - A lovely weighted lob from 25 yards was placed beyond the outstretched arm of the scrambling goal keeper.
4:2 - From a corner the ball broke to a Miller on the edge of the box who fired his shot past the 'keeper.
5:2 - A lifted right wing cross picked out perfectly a player in blue, who, with a towering header from 6 yards, gave the 'keeper no chance.
