By Chris Wood for North Derbyshire Radio
Matlock have this evening been knocked out of the Derbyshire Senior Cup (03/11/2026) as they were beaten by Pinxton FC in the second round of the competition.
A much changed Gladiators XI took to the field with 7 members of the matchday squad all being from the U21s setup and getting the chance for some valuable experience.
Manager Nathan Haslam also took the opportunity to give minutes to some players who are working back to full fitness from injury, with the likes of Washington, Gough and Mampala all starting. However, this didn’t completely go to plan as Gough had to be replaced after just 5 minutes, injury troubles clearly getting the better of the full back.
It was the hosts who had the better of the first half chances, breaking forward on two or three occasions throughout the first half and creating some serious opportunities. Poor finishing let them down in the end as the majority went sailing over the bar. Their best chance came in the 38th minute but goalkeeper Dylan Parkin was equal to the shot.
The Gladiators spent the first half trying to play some neat and tidy football and were good value for it, taking the lead on 39 minutes. Mampala got himself to the byline and was hauled over by a Pinxton defender. As he went down, he managed to swing his foot at the ball and scuff a shot beyond the keeper to give Matlock the lead!
The remainder of the first half continued in much the same way, Pinxton having the more clear cut chances but Matlock playing the better football.
Half-Time – Pinxton 0-1 Matlock Town
After the restart, the game was played much in the same way as in the first 45 minutes. Matlock had a lot of the possession but were unable to find that cutting edge to really tear Pinxton’s defence open.
There were better chances for the Gladiators on 55 and 56 minutes. Firstly, Cope was played through by Washington, the young winger’s shot unfortunately being blocked for a corner. Just a minute later, Sam Giles cut inside from the right and shot towards goal, the Pinxton shot-stopper being equal to his effort.
Midway through the second half however, the hosts would have their equaliser and its fair to say that it had been coming. The Pinxton #7 broke down the right hand side before sending a low cross into the box. It was difficult to tell from where I was stood, but the cross appeared to be turned into his own net by a Matlock defender, a deserved equaliser for Pinxton.
The rest of the second half was again very similar to the first, Pinxton continued to break forward at pace in their search for a winner and Matlock continued to fail to have that cutting edge up front. Washington had a go from range right at the death after some good football, but his shot dashed wide of the post.
Full-Time – Pinxton 1-1 Matlock Town
So the tie would be settled on penalties. Pinxton successfully scored all of theirs and Matlock missed one (Eratt-Thompson, post), had one saved (Pettifer) and scored one (Washington), giving Pinxton a victory that they probably deserved on the balance of play.
So, no silverware for Matlock this season it would seem, and attentions can now fully focus on the league campaign and climbing up the table to cement their playoff position, potentially even challenging for that top spot, although that looks unlikely at this stage.
The Gladiators are next in action at home as they welcome West Auckland Town to the Proctor Cars Stadium on Saturday 7th November. Kick off is at 3pm.
Matlock XI – 1. Parkin, 2. Outram, 3. Mangabe, 4. Pettifer, 5. Eratt-Thompson (C), 6. Wajs, 7. Hilton, 8. Giles (Dooley 66‘), 9. Washington, 10. Mampala (Abbey 55‘), 11. Gough (Cope 5‘)
