More potential inconsistencies were evident in Matlock’s most recent game (01/11/25) as they failed to beat mid-table Dunston UTS FC on Saturday afternoon.
Now I want to clarify what I mean by this, by no means was this game a BAD result as such, Dunston were 3rd in the form guide going into this encounter after all. But with the quality that the Gladiators have at their disposal, I don’t think it’s arrogant to say that they should be having more than a handful of shots across a 90 minute football match. Anyways, onto the report.
The Gladiators started fairly brightly, having more of the characteristic possession and applying pressure in and around the opposition box, as we’ve come to expect from recent games. The first half chance fell to the away side as Connor Washington broke through and tried to square the ball to Diego De Girolamo but the pass was too far in front of the latter. Top scorer Cameron Wilson could only snatch at the follow up.
However, it was the hosts who drew first blood as it were as Wil Shaw fired low across the goal from just inside the corner of the box to give Dunston the lead. A very smart finish it has to be said from the number 11.
Matlock continued in much of the same vein throughout the first half, winning the ball and having lots of possession in the middle of the park but Dunston proved difficult to break down as all shots were either high, wide or straight at the keeper and the vast majority were from outside the box. De Girolamo had the majority of the attempts but failed to hit the target, full back Declan Eratt-Thompson saw a free kick hit the wall and Washington had a go on the rebound but it was straight at the keeper. On the stroke of half time, even holding midfielder Fouad Bachirou had a go but, like the others, his shot was off the mark.
It would be wrong of me to say that Dunston didn’t see any of the ball during that first half, as they had a few opportunities to hit Matlock on the counter and without some good goalkeeping from Jake Oram and solid defending from the Gladiators’ back four, the deficit could have been higher at the break.
Half-time – Dunston UTS 1-0 Matlock Town
The away side continued in much the same vein after half time. Connor Washington started it off with a dipping volley that looked like it was dropping in, but ended up over the bar just two minutes after the restart.
Six minutes later the Gladiators had a shout for a penalty, Washington appeared to be hauled down as a corner was swung in but the referee was unmoved and it was on the wrong side of the box for the assistant to see it. Further corners produced further chances, in particular for Charlie Oglesby but, as with his counterparts, his shots were wide of the mark or well saved by Lowson in the Dunston goal.
Just after the hour mark, Matlock finally had their break through! Kiyani Clayton did well to win a free kick just outside the corner of the box. The free kick was swung in to find the head of Harlain Mbayo who headed back across goal, into the far corner of the net to level the scoring.
The hosts weren’t without opportunities of their own however, as they absorbed the Matlock pressure very well. On the 72nd minute they had two shots in quick succession which were well blocked by Matlock defenders, this game was far from over!
As was made clear just two minutes later as Washington pounced on a loose back pass but unfortunately, in a game of fine margins, appeared to stand on the ball. This completely killed the momentum and the ball was cleared as he wasn’t able to capitalise on the error and end up 1 on 1 with the Dunston keeper.
More of the same possession around the edge of the box finished the game but unfortunately, Matlock couldn’t find that killer pass to really open up the opposition. Unable to find a winner, the Gladiators finished the game with a point on the road.
The other concerning moment was the serious looking injury to Matlock captain Liam Ravenhill as he was pushed into the fence around the side of the pitch. He appeared to collide with it awkwardly and, from speaking to him afterwards, it seems as though his elbow was dislocated. A potential spell on the sidelines awaits for the midfielder.
Full-time – Dunston UTS 1-1 Matlock Town
All in all, this wasn’t a bad performance by any stretch, but many of the travelling supporters believe that Matlock should be a lot more dynamic in possession, especially considering the quality of players they have at their disposal. A worrying patch of form away from home as Matlock have won just one of the last four away games, a run which needs to be corrected especially as table-topping Redcar Athletic keep winning and scoring for fun.
The Gladiators are back in action on Saturday 8th November as they host Heaton Stannington at The Proctor Cars Stadium.
Dunston XI – 1. Lowson, 2. H. Neary, 3. McDonald, 4. Turnbull (F. Neary 84’), 5. Pearson (C) (Baxter 46’), 6. Devitt, 7. O’Donnell (Turner 79’), 8. Edwards (Wilson 72’), 9. Donaldson (Djalo 81’), 10. Robinson, 11. Shaw
Matlock XI – 1. Oram, 2. Eratt-Thompson, 3. Milambo (Granite 85’), 4. Bachirou, 5. Mbayo, 6. Oglesby, 7. Clayton, 8. Ravenhill (Wiley 90+4’), 9. De Girolamo, 10. Washington, 11. Wilson
By Chris Wood for North Derbyshire Radio
