Wednesday 2nd April 2014
by Ian Richardson

Matlock Town FC 1-1 Blyth Spartans
Tuesday 1st April 2014, ko 7:45pm, Autoworld Arena
EvoStik League, Premier Division

The Gladiators had to settle for a point in a feisty clash at the Autoworld Arena on Tuesday night which saw eight yellow cards and a Blyth equalizer six minutes from the end.

The Northumbrians really needed all three points to keep their play-off bid going but it looked as if they would make the long journey home empty handed, after substitute James Ashmore had given Matlock a deserved 65th minute lead. Man of the Match was Oscar Radford (left).

But just one moment of indecision cost the hosts the extra two points in an otherwise excellent defensive display and Ashley Davis took full advantage.

Corey Gregory partnered Shaun Tuton in attack with Matlock's top two scorers on the sidelines, Danny Holland starting a four match ban and Daryll Thomas missing with hamstring trouble.

Gregory had a sight of goal inside three minutes but pulled a disappointing finish yards wide of the far post. Davis forced Jon Kennedy into a comfortable save three minutes later but the opening half would belong to Matlock who could not make the most of their superiority.

Matlock swept back to the other end quickly with Tuton, who led the line superbly, creating his own chance and pulling a volley wide.

Soon afterwards, a Gregory attempt was smothered by goalkeeper Conor Grant and Tuton latched on to a pass from full back Adam Yates but shot fiercely high and wide.

The first booking came on 23 minutes with Danny Parker holding back Tuton who finished flat on the turf in the penalty box, but referee Connell deemed the offence to be outside the box. White forced Joe Leesley's fine free kick wide when well placed.

Out of the blue, the Spartans might have struck - or rather Matlock do it for them - when in the space of ninety seconds, both Liam Needham and Leesley might have inadvertently put the ball in their own net, Kennedy sparing Leesley's blushes with a vital diving stop from the second scare.

The half ended with Needham being booked for a late challenge on Matthew Wade and with Matlock having kept Blyth's most dangerous player, Robbie Dale, relatively quiet.

HT: 0-0

White cut inside to shoot tamely at Grant in the opening attack of the second half before on 52 minutes, fine approach play from Leesley on the left led to Tuton forcing Grant into a fine block save at his near post.

A probing run down the right from burly midfielder Arran Wearmouth ended with a low cross flashing across the eighteen yard box before Ashmore was introduced at the expense of an unwell Cecil Nyoni.

Ten minutes after the change, James Ashmore (left), had made the difference, firing home a brilliantly executed free kick from twenty two yards after Gregory had been brought down by Ryan Cummings.

1-0

Leesley was yellow carded for allegedly blasting the ball at the prostrate Wearmouth and then Ian Watson joined him for a cynical challenge on White. In between, Ashmore was ideally placed to force Dale's shot off the line.

The flurry of cautions continued with Jack Broadhead and then Blyth substitute Ryan Hutchinson being punished for fouls on Wearmouth and Leesley respectively, with Mr Connell appearing to be struggling to maintain control.

Then came the Blyth leveller as Broadhead, otherwise faultless, failed to clear an awkward bouncing ball and Davis converted a scruffy effort which Kennedy got a hand to, but could not keep out.

1-1

Suddenly Blyth looked the more threatening but there was little more goalmouth action. The booking count was completed with Cummings scything down White and Yates who was ruled to be time wasting at a throw in.

FT: 1-1

Matlock can again feel a touch hard done to, they were the more accomplished outfit, but needed to take their opportunities when they were on top.

MATLOCK TOWN:
1 Jon Kennedy, 2 Jack Broadhead, 3 Joe Leesley, 4 Martin Foster,
5 Oscar Radford, 6 Adam Yates, 7 Liam Needham,
8 Cecil Nyoni (12 James Ashmore, 55), 9 Corey Gregory, 10 Shaun Tuton,
11 Lavelle White
Subs not used: 14 Alex Bradshaw, 15 Matty Wilkinson, 17 Matty Leese

BLYTH SPARTANS:
1 Conor Grant, 2 Ian Watson, 3 Joseph Kendrick, 4 Danny Parker,
5 Nathan Buddle, 6 Ryan Cummings, 7 Paul Robinson, 8 Arran Wearmouth,
9 Ashley Davis, 10 Matthew Wade (15 Ryan Hutchinson, 67), 11 Robbie Dale Subs not used: 12 Michael Scott, 14 Boris Bonket, 16 Lewis Horner

REFEREE: M Connell (Castleford)

ATTENDANCE: 208

BEST GLADIATOR: Oscar Radford

RECENT STORIES

GLADIATORS HIT A SIX IN A PRE-SEASON GAMES BONANZA -
Mark Atkins' desire for more home pre season friendlies has been satisfied to the full as the Gladiators announced their sixth warm up game at the Autoworld Arena. More...

MATLOCK TOWN GET RAMS, OWLS & FOXES VISITS AS WORKSOP TOWN RESIGN -
Matlock Town's pre season programme took shape further this week and it's another prestige home friendly for the Gladiators, as Derby County announced they would be visiting the Autoworld Arena More...

MATLOCK EARN A LAST MINUTE POINT AGAINST BUXTON. MATCH REPORT -
Oscar Radford's 89th minute equaliser, his first goal of the season, earned Matlock a deserved point against ten man Buxton. More...

MATLOCK'S MISSED OPPORTUNITY AS THEY DRAW AT NANTWICH TOWN -
Matlock should really have brought all three points back from the Weaver Stadium on Saturday after dominating the opening half More...

THREE RED CARDS AS MATLOCK EARN THEIR FIRST WIN IN NINE GAMES -
A goal in each half secured Matlock's first win in nine league matches, but the big talking point was a triple sending off incident seven minutes before the break. More...

MATLOCK NEWS ROUND UP AND WHITBY PREVIEW -
Matlock boss Mark Atkins and indeed - the club's fans - wanted a positive reaction from the players in the derby at Buxton on Wednesday night and my word, they got one! More...

A WELL DESERVED POINT FOR MATLOCK AFTER A 'FEISTY' DERBY AT BUXTON -
Martin Foster's penalty at the death, earned Matlock a well deserved point in a feisty derby at the Silverlands, after substitute Mark Reed had headed Buxton in front in the 84th minute. More...

GLADIATORS SURRENDER TO A BATTLING WITTON ALBION -
This was probably Matlock's worst home performance all season as they succumbed to a Witton side battling to avoid relegation. More...

MATLOCK SUFFER NARROW DEFEAT AFTER BATTLING FC UNITED ALL THE WAY -
Matlock made league leaders FC United battle all the way for their eleventh successive league victory, with a spirited performance in front of a 2,044 crowd at Gigg Lane. More...

MATLOCK BRING A HARD EARNED POINT HOME FROM BARWELL. -
Matlock earned a well deserved and hard earned point from a physical and direct encounter when they made their first ever visit to Barwell on Saturday. More...

ATKINS - 'STILL A LOT TO PLAY FOR' MATLOCK TOWN'S NEWS ROUND UP -
Two costly defeats in three days seem to have scuppered Matlock's play off aspirations, but manager Mark Atkins insists there is still plenty to play for. More...

MATLOCK LOSE AN 'EASILY FORGETTABLE GAME' AWAY AT STAMFORD -
An easily forgettable game was settled after 21 minutes when Ryan Robbins netted to give the hosts a vital three points in their escape bid against the drop. More...

A NIGHTMARE DEFEAT FOR MATLOCK AGAINST STRUGGLING STAFFORD -
A home banker turned into a nightmare for Matlock who were on the end of a shock defeat. Match Report More...

MATLOCK MARCH ON WITH A THIRD LEAGUE WIN IN A WEEK - AWAY AT ILKESTON -
The damage was done in the first half as Matlock thoroughly deserved their third league win in a week at the New Manor Ground on Saturday. More...

MATLOCK'S NEWS AS THEY PREPARE FOR LOCAL DERBY WITH ILKESTON -
Mark Atkins hailed a fantastic three days for Matlock Town and praised his players and the club's fans in the process. More...

MATLOCK EARN AN IMPRESSIVE FIFTH SUCCESSIVE HOME WIN -
Matlock's impressive home record was maintained as they earned a fifth successive win at the Autoworld Arena in a thrilling game with Grantham on Tuesday night. More...

MAGNIFICENT MATLOCK EARN THE WIN AGAINST SKELMERSDALE -
A magnificent performance from the boys in blue earned the hosts a deserved win against second in the table Skelmersdale, in spite of having to play the final sixty four minutes with only ten men. More...

MATLOCK HOPING
FOR A DEBUT WIN AT THE NEWLY NAMED AUTOWORLD ARENA -
Matlock will be wanting their debut game at their newly named Autoworld Arena to be a memorable one, as they aim to bounce back from an out of character hammering at Rushall last weekend. More...

MATLOCK AGREE LUCRATIVE NEW SPONSORSHIP DEAL WITH AUTOWORLD -
Matlock Town's ground will now be known as the 'Autoworld Arena', as details of the exciting new sponsorship deal emerged this week. More...

MATLOCK HIT FOR SIX AS THEIR UNBEATEN RUN COMES TO AN ABRUPT END -
What a way to lose your unbeaten start to 2014! Matlock conceded six goals in a crazy second half, after leading at half time against Rushall Olympic More...

MATLOCK FACE SIX POINTER AT RUSHALL AS 2 NEW SIGNINGS ARE ANNOUNCED -
Matlock face a play off contending six pointer at Rushall Olympic on Saturday as two young faces sign for the Gladiators. More...

ATKINS PRAISES PLAYERS AFTER DIFFICULT WIN AT FRICKLEY & NEWS -
Mark Atkins praised his players after their 3-1 victory at a wet and windy Frickley Athletic last Saturday, going unbeaten in 5 games, 4 of which have brought maximum points. More...

GLADIATORS GO
FIVE UNBEATEN
WITH AWAY WIN AT FRICKLEY -
Matlock extended their unbeaten run to five games and secured their first away win in four months in terrible weather at Westfield Lane on Saturday. More...

GLADIATORS EARN A HARD FOUGHT WIN AT HOME TO DROYLSDEN. MATCH REPORT -
Matlock got the win everyone expected against the basement side, but it was a more difficult challenge than the 4-1 win at the Butchers Arms in October More...

THIS WEEK'S NEWS FROM MATLOCK AND
A PREVIEW OF THE DROYLSDEN GAME -
"We take nothing for granted" will be the message from Matlock boss Mark Atkins as they welcome basement club Droylsden to the Reynolds Stadium on Saturday. More...

MATLOCK'S MATCH AT STORMY STAMFORD
IS ABANDONED. MATCH REPORT -
Referee David Plowright halted proceedings after 23 minutes when a fierce thunderstorm engulfed the ground and left the pitch saturated. More...

McMAHON SCORES TWO TO GIVE MATLOCK THREE. MATCH REPORT -
Lewis McMahon's brace earned Matlock their victory, but others behind him put in sterling effort to ensure another clean sheet at home. More...

LATE PENALTY DENIES MATLOCK A WIN AFTER SCRAPPY ENCOUNTER -
A 78th minute penalty leveller denied Matlock all three points from a scrappy encounter at The Meres against Grantham Town. More...

MATLOCK NEWS AND PREVIEW OF SATURDAY'S AWAY TRIP TO GRANTHAM -
After ending high flying Worksop Town's unbeaten run at the thirteenth game, Matlock Town face a different challenge when they travel to Grantham on Saturday. More...

MATLOCK'S INABILITY TO FINISH COSTS THEM ANOTHER 3 POINTS -
For this week's report, see last weeks and probably many before! More points go astray for Matlock simply because they could not finish chances off. More...

MATLOCK'S DERBY DRAW IN THE DARK
AS BUXTON'S BULBS BLOW! -
The lights went out with a bang at the Silverlands to end this Boxing Day A6 derby early at half time. More...

MATLOCK GET THE CLEAN SHEET - BUT NOT THE THREE POINTS -
Again this was a tale of Matlock being unable to take the few chances that came their way in a dour stalemate at home against Marine. More...

ALL THE GLADIATORS' NEWS AHEAD OF THE CHRISTMAS WEEK FIXTURES -
"Individual mistakes are killing us!" declared Matlock boss Mark Atkins after the disappointing and frustrating recent run of form More...

MATLOCK DEFEAT AT STOCKSBRIDGE WAS "LARGELY SELF INFLICTED" -
Matlock Town's disappointing defeat away to struggling Stocksbridge Park Steels, was largely self inflicted. More...

MATLOCK MAKE IT AN UNWANTED HAT TRICK WITH A THIRD CUP EXIT -
Matlock made it an unwanted hat-trick of cup exits against lower league opposition this term, as Glossop knocked them out of the Derbyshire Senior Cup. More...

MATLOCK GET THEIR FIRST WIN IN SIX AS THEY BEAT
TRAFFORD -
This first league win in six matches for Matlock Town was achieved with a little more difficulty than was envisaged at the half time break which came at a bad time for the home side. More...

MATLOCK HAVE 'ONLY THEMSELVES TO BLAME' AFTER
DEFEAT TO WITTON -
Matlock had only themselves to blame for not winning a game they dominated at Witton Albion. More...

MATLOCK MAKE HARD WORK OF A WIN OVER HALLAM IN MID-WEEK FRIENDLY -
The Gladiators made hard work of beating Toolstation NCEL First Division visitors Hallam, in a hastily arranged friendly game at the Reynolds Stadium on Tuesday night More...

MATLOCK SUFFER UNDESERVED FA TROPHY EXIT AT CHORLEY -
Chorley secured a hat-trick of victories against Matlock with this FA Trophy result at Victory Park last Saturday, but the 2-0 scoreline fails to tell the whole story as Matlock deserved at least a replay. More...

MATLOCK MAKE A POINT AGAINST HIGH FLYERS AFC FYLDE. MATCH REPORT -
Danny Holland had given Matlock a deserved interval lead against title contenders AFC Fylde, but the Coasters got a fortunate break five minutes into the second half to level through Andy Russell. More...

TOUGH FIXTURES AND A FAIR PLAY AWARD IN A GLADIATORS NEWS ROUND-UP -
If Monday's FA Trophy draw seemed tough - a visit to Chorley on November 16th - then Mark Atkins' men received confirmation that would be the case in Tuesday night's 3-1 league defeat on the same ground. More...

GLADIATORS FALL AT THE HANDS OF LIKELY DIVISION CHAMPIONS. MATCH REPORT -
Sometimes it's a case of holding hands up and admitting the better side won! This was the case for away fans at Victory Park on Bonfire Night, as the fireworks came from Chorley, who completed a league double over Matlock More...

Related Links

Matlock Town Website