Bank Holiday Monday saw a slightly longer hop than I had undertaken previously with a rather impromptu trip to Matlock with my partner and youngest child. After battling through some holiday traffic, I was looking forward to my first competitive game on this mini hopping adventure in the form of a Northern Premier League Premier Division match between two sides that have both had somewhat mixed starts to the season. Going in to this game, Matlock had earned a close victory on Saturday away at Atherton Collieries and opponents Gainsborough were unbeaten away but only winning one from their first five.
Matlock and the Proctor Cars Stadium
Matlock is lovely little town that we enjoyed a brief walk around, with the little one exploring Hall Leys Park before heading off to Matlock Farm Park. On entering the ground, you are greeted by a lovely backdrop behind the far goal with the hills leading to the overlooking 19th century Riber Castle that sits proudly atop the hill. The stadium is three sided, with the cricket club filling the fourth side that leads towards the castle. The main stand, the Twigg Stand, houses the dressing rooms and sits behind the dugouts. It is flanked by the tea bar and the social club, where I joined the many fans enjoying a pre-match beer and where I had my half time coffee and chips. With the £12 entrance fee, the beer and the half time purchases totalling £20 I feel the day was good value.
The Match
Gainsborough kicked off this match as second favourites in the eyes of the bookmakers but this certainly wasn't obvious in the opening exchanges as they started with Tom Cursons and the experienced Clayton Donaldson leading the attack against what looked like a Matlock back three when in possession as Reece Kendall and Jordan Barnett pushed high on the left. It was what could be described as a bitty start with neither side grabbing control in the opening 5 minutes and it wasn't until nearly ten minutes in when Matlock's powerful centre forward Jake Day turned just inside the box and shot wide. It was in 13 minutes that the visitors took the lead when the lively Cursons kept possession of the ball on the left, jinking in and out and eventually creating space for a left footed shot across Jim Pollard in the Gladiators’ goal who could only push it out and the on rushing Liam Waldock was able to tap home from close range, much to the delight of the away following from Lincolnshire.
After the goal, Gainsborough perhaps kept the ball slightly better than their opponents but the game lacked a real rhythym. Matlock were becoming more dangerous from set pieces and put pressure on Matt Yates in the Gainsborough goal but the keeper did well when taking control of his area, coming to punch, catch and clean up any through balls. After half an hour, Matlock put together their best bit of play that started centrally with a nice volleyed pass to the right and a cross that was met on the full by Kendall whose first time cross was caught by Yates. The home side were now just starting to get on hold of the game and perhaps should have equalised 10 minutes before half time when a cross from the left fell 6 yards out only for the shot to be blocked and turned aside for a corner, which was headed over from close range. Gainsborough had some moments of quality with Cursons causing some problems and Matlock growing into the game as the half progressed.
The start of the second half saw two changes for the home side with Day and Wiles being replaced by Njaria and Slew as well as a tactical change with the two players down the left, Barnett and Kendall, seemingly swapping positions. I felt that Matlock dominated large chunks of the second half and this moved played a role in that. From the excellent vantage of the tea bar queue, as I waited for my coffee and chips, the home side began to pen the visitors back and control the game. Gainsborough were defending well, getting blocks in, making clearances and getting their heads on to most of what they had thrown at them. Young Hayden Cann and new signing Dylan Cogill were playing well and giving everything they had. Trinity were really under pressure and were finding it hard to gain any respite from the attacks but, after 70 minutes they managed to break and could have found themselves two up. A high ball was controlled well by Donaldson and the ball was eventually worked down the right and the low cross evaded the defence but was behind the experienced number 9 as rolled harmlessly out for a throw.
As we moved in to the final 15 minutes, it was little like a procession in the Gainsborough box but the defence were still holding resolutely firm. Some of the crosses in to the box, particularly from Barnett, were of real quality and the whipped, dangerous deliveries caused problems and had to be dealt with. It looked as if the visitors had done enough to gain a defiant three points to end their Bank Holiday schedule. However, the home side kept pushing and were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position in the 92nd minute. Alex Byrne stepped up to take and his shot was deflected off the wall and shot towards the top corner and, despite getting a hand to it, Yates was unable to keep the ball out as it went in off the crossbar leading to jubilation for the home team and devastation for the Holy Blues. Almost immediately from kick off, the referee blew for full time. Certainly on the second half performance, this was nothing more than Matlock deserved but a hugely disappointing finish for Gainsborough who had defended stoutly. There seemed to be some handbags at the end with some pushing and shoving, particularly Slew getting involved with the Gainsborough players and joint manager Neal Bishop.
Players
At times it looked as if Matlock were playing three at the back as their left sided players were pushing so far forward to add the pressure on to their guests. The second half in particular saw Reece Kendall and Jordan Barnett cause problems for their opponents with Kendall seemingly roaming to find the ball and Barnett displaying quality when delivering balls into the box. For the away side, I felt new signing Dylan Cogill was excellent at the heart of a defence that were worked hard and had to be at it in order to get anything from this game.
Overall, it was an enjoyable first visit to the home of Matlock Town. A good setting, a nice ground and a hard fought match between two sides who were desperate to kick start their seasons.
Attendance: 782
Matlock and the Proctor Cars Stadium
Matlock is lovely little town that we enjoyed a brief walk around, with the little one exploring Hall Leys Park before heading off to Matlock Farm Park. On entering the ground, you are greeted by a lovely backdrop behind the far goal with the hills leading to the overlooking 19th century Riber Castle that sits proudly atop the hill. The stadium is three sided, with the cricket club filling the fourth side that leads towards the castle. The main stand, the Twigg Stand, houses the dressing rooms and sits behind the dugouts. It is flanked by the tea bar and the social club, where I joined the many fans enjoying a pre-match beer and where I had my half time coffee and chips. With the £12 entrance fee, the beer and the half time purchases totalling £20 I feel the day was good value.
Gainsborough kicked off this match as second favourites in the eyes of the bookmakers but this certainly wasn't obvious in the opening exchanges as they started with Tom Cursons and the experienced Clayton Donaldson leading the attack against what looked like a Matlock back three when in possession as Reece Kendall and Jordan Barnett pushed high on the left. It was what could be described as a bitty start with neither side grabbing control in the opening 5 minutes and it wasn't until nearly ten minutes in when Matlock's powerful centre forward Jake Day turned just inside the box and shot wide. It was in 13 minutes that the visitors took the lead when the lively Cursons kept possession of the ball on the left, jinking in and out and eventually creating space for a left footed shot across Jim Pollard in the Gladiators’ goal who could only push it out and the on rushing Liam Waldock was able to tap home from close range, much to the delight of the away following from Lincolnshire.
After the goal, Gainsborough perhaps kept the ball slightly better than their opponents but the game lacked a real rhythym. Matlock were becoming more dangerous from set pieces and put pressure on Matt Yates in the Gainsborough goal but the keeper did well when taking control of his area, coming to punch, catch and clean up any through balls. After half an hour, Matlock put together their best bit of play that started centrally with a nice volleyed pass to the right and a cross that was met on the full by Kendall whose first time cross was caught by Yates. The home side were now just starting to get on hold of the game and perhaps should have equalised 10 minutes before half time when a cross from the left fell 6 yards out only for the shot to be blocked and turned aside for a corner, which was headed over from close range. Gainsborough had some moments of quality with Cursons causing some problems and Matlock growing into the game as the half progressed.
The start of the second half saw two changes for the home side with Day and Wiles being replaced by Njaria and Slew as well as a tactical change with the two players down the left, Barnett and Kendall, seemingly swapping positions. I felt that Matlock dominated large chunks of the second half and this moved played a role in that. From the excellent vantage of the tea bar queue, as I waited for my coffee and chips, the home side began to pen the visitors back and control the game. Gainsborough were defending well, getting blocks in, making clearances and getting their heads on to most of what they had thrown at them. Young Hayden Cann and new signing Dylan Cogill were playing well and giving everything they had. Trinity were really under pressure and were finding it hard to gain any respite from the attacks but, after 70 minutes they managed to break and could have found themselves two up. A high ball was controlled well by Donaldson and the ball was eventually worked down the right and the low cross evaded the defence but was behind the experienced number 9 as rolled harmlessly out for a throw.
As we moved in to the final 15 minutes, it was little like a procession in the Gainsborough box but the defence were still holding resolutely firm. Some of the crosses in to the box, particularly from Barnett, were of real quality and the whipped, dangerous deliveries caused problems and had to be dealt with. It looked as if the visitors had done enough to gain a defiant three points to end their Bank Holiday schedule. However, the home side kept pushing and were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position in the 92nd minute. Alex Byrne stepped up to take and his shot was deflected off the wall and shot towards the top corner and, despite getting a hand to it, Yates was unable to keep the ball out as it went in off the crossbar leading to jubilation for the home team and devastation for the Holy Blues. Almost immediately from kick off, the referee blew for full time. Certainly on the second half performance, this was nothing more than Matlock deserved but a hugely disappointing finish for Gainsborough who had defended stoutly. There seemed to be some handbags at the end with some pushing and shoving, particularly Slew getting involved with the Gainsborough players and joint manager Neal Bishop.
Players
At times it looked as if Matlock were playing three at the back as their left sided players were pushing so far forward to add the pressure on to their guests. The second half in particular saw Reece Kendall and Jordan Barnett cause problems for their opponents with Kendall seemingly roaming to find the ball and Barnett displaying quality when delivering balls into the box. For the away side, I felt new signing Dylan Cogill was excellent at the heart of a defence that were worked hard and had to be at it in order to get anything from this game.
Overall, it was an enjoyable first visit to the home of Matlock Town. A good setting, a nice ground and a hard fought match between two sides who were desperate to kick start their seasons.
Attendance: 782
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