By Chris Wood for North Derbyshire Radio
Photo Credit – Michael South Photography
Matlock Town successfully silenced all the off-field negativity this evening (06/10/26) as they defeated play-off chasing Heaton Stannington 3-0 at the Proctor Cars Stadium.
Before a ball was kicked, the club had been rocked by off field issues and abusive fans that led to the resignation of manager Lewis Duckmanton after just 3 games in charge. In a statement, chairman Dave Hilton also announced that he is inviting offers to buy the club and there may be a return to fan ownership in the Summer. More on this story will follow as it unfolds.
Back to tonight’s game and it started fairly evenly, both teams clearly having quality and spending the first 20 or so minutes figuring each other out. The only incident of note in the opening stages was another injury blow for the Gladiators as left back Billy Gough was forced off with what looked like a hamstring injury. This adding yet another name to Matlock’s growing injury list.
On 23 minutes, the home side took the lead. Goodson swung the corner in to the back post and Walker was unmarked at the back post to nod home his first goal in the blue and white. Some very jubilant but relieved celebrations followed!
It was reported that the visitors were also missing a number of players due to illness, but regardless of this, Matlock were very dynamic going forward and created several chances throughout the first half. The biggest of which came on 35 minutes when Bradbury intercepted a pass midway through the Stannington half before finding Goodson down the left hand side. Goodson played the ball inside to Abbey who had far too much space in the box, the Dutchman somehow missing the target from around 10 yards out.
A minute later however, Abbey would have his goal. A long throw from Giles landed at the feet of Andoh who was clearly tripped from behind in the box. Penalty to the Gladiators! Up stepped Abbey who squeezed his penalty under the goalkeeper to double the home side’s advantage.
Just before half time, the scoring was completed. A long ball from Dewhurst was well won by Abbey in the air. The ball fell to Sault who cut inside really well and broke into the box before firing into the far corner past the Stannington keeper.
Half-Time – Matlock Town 3-0 Heaton Stannington
After the interval, Matlock continued to have a lot of the ball and tried to add to their goals tally, although it was the visitors that would go closest. On 53 minutes, a smart turn by Hooper, his shot hit the post and was safely cleared by the Gladiators.
The other main talking point of the second half was the visitors having a man sent off with 10 minutes left to play. Giles was scythed down by Hornsby right at the byline in what was a pretty reckless challenge. The Stannington man seeing red and thankfully Giles was okay and came out of the challenge unscathed.
Full-Time – Matlock Town 3-0 Heaton Stannington
All in all, a good win for the Gladiators in what was also a much improved performance. Questions will now rise about off-field issues and what happens with the club going forward. The chairman has agreed to keep funding the club for the remainder of 26/27 but what happens after that remains to be seen. In the short term, Matlock are in search for yet another manager in what has been a turbulent campaign in that department, for a variety of reasons.
The Gladiators are next in action on Saturday (10/10/26) where they travel the relatively short distance to face Stocksbridge Park Steels. Kick-off is at 3pm.
Matlock XI – 1. Dewhurst, 2. Eratt-Thompson (C), 3. Gough (Clayton 15’), 4. Andoh, 5. Asante-Boakye, 6. Bradbury (Wajs 83’), 7. Goodson, 8. Walker, 9. Abbey (Outram 83’), 10. Sault (Dooley 69’), 11. Giles
Stannington XI – 1. Lister, 2. Fil, 3. Hester (Hornsby 46’), 4. Gell, 5. Milburn, 6. Shepherd (C), 7. Savage, 8. Chrisp (Hopper 46’), 9. Djalo (Enwere 69’), 10. Giraud, 11. Errington (Capewell 46’)
