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Matlock Town FC News

Gladiators Denied Hard Earned Point At Rushall. Match Report


Monday 23rd April 2012
by IAN RICHARDSON

A last gasp winner from Kyle Brady denied the Gladiators a hard earned point at Dales Lane in the final game of the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division season, thus extending the Gladiators winless sequence on the road in league fare to seventeen matches.

Matlock
were certainly worth a point, but not all three from a poor quality game played on an uneven sloping surface.

Most of the visitors more dangerous moments came from long range strikes, but equally goalkeeper Jon Kennedy also had a quiet afternoon thanks to a solid defensive performance from the Gladiators who thankfully did not repeat the bad errors which had cost them against Whitby thirty six hours earlier.

Kris Witcombe was deservedly given a start at right back with Adam Yates moving into midfield as Gareth Davies had to be content with a place on the substitutes bench. Nathan Joynes partnered Ian Holmes in attack with Lewis McMahon ruled out having had seven stitches inserted in a facial wound after the Whitby game.

But there was a welcome inclusion in the list of substitutes as Dene Cropper was namedBut there was a welcome inclusion in the list of substitutes as Dene Cropper (left) was named, and when he replaced Joynes in the 74th minute, he was given rapturous applause by the visiting fans. Under nineteen star Matt Wilkinson was also included on the bench.

Rushall, in their debut season at this level, and in ninth spot before kick off, immediately went on the attack but their distribution was often careless with too many passes being hoofed forward and overhit. They won a 7th minute corner from which Gary Fitzpatrick screwed a shot harmlessly wide after the flag kick had been headed out.

Ahmed Obeng looked lively for the hosts winning another corner in the 12th minute off Lukic but Obeng then slammed the delivery dangerously across the six yard box and out for a throw.

A promising Matlock break engineered by Joynes on 18 minutes came to nothing, when following his fine run, his cross directed towards Holmes was cut out by Lucan Spittle's excellent intercepting header.

Another flurry of Pics pressure ended with Obeng firing wildly wide seven minutes later and then on 33, a free kick floated in was out of the radar of both Neil Kitching and Fitzpatrick.

A gentle Liam King strike was comfortably gathered by goalkeeper Chris Gemmell in the next minute before just another sixty seconds later, Matlock came closest to taking the lead as Yates unleashed a thunderbolt from twenty five yards. Gemmell moved swiftly to his right to punch away.

Ben Algar then found room in the home penalty box but over elaboration saw the opportunity disappear as quickly as it had been created.

Another wild effort from Obeng, a cross shot following a quickly taken free kick flew yards wide as the half ended with Laurence Gaughan heading clear a Fitzpatrick free kick.

HT: 0-0

The Pics increased the tempo after the interval and Yates produced a magnificent clearing header after Fitzpatrick had helped on a free kick.

Then on 52 minutes a terrific scramble in the six yard box ended with a calm Lukic clearing the danger.

Matlock survived a scare on 56 minuted when Witcombe and Featherstone joined forces to clear off the line from Brady.

The pressure eased and Kris Bowler tried his luck from distance, a well struck effort narrowly clearing the bar with Gemmell beaten. Then, for once, Holmes found space in the penalty box, but could only fire at Gemmell from twelve yards.

Cropper showed some neat touches when he came on and certainly posed a threat for the home defence.

Bowler had another strike which was deflected wide as Town looked comfortable but Kyle Brady forced in a low cross with the game entering its 90th minute to break the Gladiators hearts.

FT: 1-0

Manager Mark Atkins knows he has plenty of hard work ahead of him in the summer as the Gladiators finished in a disappointing fourteenth position, caused in the main by their failure to win more away games.  


MATLOCK TOWN:
Jon Kennedy, Kris Witcombe, Lee Featherstone, Liam King (Gareth Davies 74), Laurence Gaughan, James Lukic, Ben Algar, Kris Bowler, Ian Holmes, Nathan Joynes (Dene Cropper 74), Adam Yates.
Other subs: Paul Riley, Matt Wilkinson, Nick Buxton.

REFEREE: A Fox - Coventry

ATTENDANCE: 268

STAR MAN: James Lukic.  


 

 

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