Defensive masterclass by Pinxton FC earns a Pre-Season draw

Pinxton's back line stole the show last night holding strong for almost 80 minutes before conceding the equalising goal which was scored from a corner.
To continue being aligned with FA Guidelines in the current climate, the game was switched to Belper Town's home ground - The Raygar Stadium after being originally planned to play the the Van Elle Arena, Pinxton.
Belper Town who ply their trade in the Northern Premier League Division 1 South East (Step 4) started the game with their strongest possible 11 showed their quality on the ball from the get go having early chances, mostly from distance, which never troubled the Pinxton keeper.
Pinxton throughout the first half showed glimpses of their footballing credentials as they made regular flurries forward playing through the lines and channels and it was Pinxtons right hand side winger who burst through and fashioned himself and Pinxton's first real effort on goal with a cross come shot from a tight angle.
As expected, Belper Town had the bulk of the possession, created the better of the chances as the half went on with further close calls with their best effort crashing against the bar and landing clear allowing the Pinxton back line to clear the ball to safety.
With a few minutes to go before halftime, Pinxton of Central Midlands League which is now a Regional Feeder League (ex Step 7) took the lead. The ball was played through from a central area which bypassed Belper's centre halves and was latched on by the Pinxton winger who had ran the line well and cut inside leaving him one on one with Belper's keeper. He proceeded to take the ball round the on-rushing keeper and rolled the ball into the empty goal. 0 - 1 Pinxton FC at halftime.
Substitutions where made by both sides at halftime - Belper making 6 changes, Pinxton making 2.
The second half started with the same dimension with Belper dominating the play - looking fresher and pressing the play from the outset. Pinxton to their credit held firm, and stood tall and resolute soaking up all Belper could throw at them.
More changes came for Pinxton with a further 4 changes made throughout the half as legs and bodies began to tire. This freshened up the side, but in turn upset the balance of the side slightly by introducing players into a fast paced environment which took time for them to get to grips and bed themselves into the game.
Long balls into the box from every angle, multiple corners whipped in dangerously, long throws into the box in the final third finally took their toll close to the 80th minutes as Belper equalised from another dangerously whipped in corner as the ball was glanced home at the near post. 1 - 1
Belper pushed for a winner in the final 10 minutes, but with Pinxton working well on the counter attack trying to stretch the game as far away as possible from their goal, saw out the final minutes as the game finished in an entertaining 1 - 1.
This was indeed a good game for the neutral (even though it was behind closed doors), a game which both management and players took a lot out of from a Pinxton FC perspective - will be some heavy and aching legs today.
Big thank you goes to Belper Town for hosting the game, and best of luck for the up-coming 20/21 season.