By Chris Wood for North Derbyshire Radio
It was heartbreak for the Gladiators this evening (29/09/2026) as they suffered a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of fellow play-off chasers Bradford Park Avenue.
The visitors (similar to Dunston earlier in the season) are one of those teams that Matlock have historically struggled to get results against. I’m not sure if it’s the way they play or what, but tonight’s result makes it 1 point from 4 meetings between the two teams in the last two seasons.
The injury hit Gladiators actually started the brighter. After 4 minutes, a poor clearance from the BPA goalkeeper only went as far as Eratt-Thompson in the Matlock midfield. His pass found Goodson with space to run into the box but the striker couldn’t sort his feet out to get a shot away.
8 minutes later, the home side went close again, this time a clipped cross from Abbey to the back post was aimed at Washington, some excellent defending preventing Matlock’s number 9 from having a simple tap in.
It wasn’t all go for Matlock however as the visitors went close themselves. Midway through the first half was the most telling as the ball lingered around the Matlock box for far too long before finding its way to the back post. Dewhurst in the Matlock goal was out quickly to block the shot when it came in.
The first half continued in a relatively end to end fashion, although neither side managed to carve out any clear cut goalscoring opportunities.
Half-Time – Matlock Town 0-0 Bradford Park Avenue
The second half was played out in much the same manner as the first, with the hosts creating the better of the half chances that either side managed. Firstly with Washington breaking through and finding Abbey on the edge of the box, his shot was well saved by Lambton in the BPA goal. 6 minutes later there was another chance as again Washington showed excellent strength to get the byline and scuff the ball across to Goodson who once again couldn’t find the finish.
The crucial goal came on 71 minutes and there was a large slice of fortune about it. A shot came in from Carver for the visitors and somehow it deflected off his own forwards back. This allowed Charlton (the forward in question) to somehow find a way through and find a finish into the top corner.
However, the controversy wasn’t done there as the visitors had to finish the game with 10 men. Winfield went in late on Eratt-Thompson and received a straight red card. The challenge looked a little innocuous if you ask me and not worthy of his marching orders but then again, I’m not the man with the whistle.
Matlock would go close twice more in added time as Abbey had a header cleared off the line but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.
Full-Time – Matlock Town 0-1 Bradford Park Avenue
Overall, the hosts were unlucky this evening and probably deserved to get at least a point out of the game. Unfortunately, football is a game of fine margins and they wouldn’t quite land for Matlock this evening. A special shout out to Levi Andoh who made his first start since August after recovering from an injury. According to reports he stepped up to the plate to help the team out in what is a very tricky patch with injuries at present.
Matlock’s next game is again at home as they host Bridlington Town. Kick-off is at 3pm.
Matlock XI – 1. Dewhurst, 2. Eratt-Thompson (C), 3. Asante-Boakye, 4. Andoh (Gough 75’), 5. Etherington, 6. Walker, 7. Goodson, 9. Washington, 10. Sault (Westwood 88’), 11. Abbey, 14. Bradbury (Giles 81’)
BPA XI – 1. Lambton, 2. Hassan-Smith (Chorlton 63’), 3. Winfield, 4. Duxbury, 5. Misambo, 6. Ible (C), 7. Abbott, 8. Moke (Parkin 39’), 9. Carver (Brown 83’), 10. Ekpolo, 11. Fox
