By Chris Wood for North Derbyshire Radio
Matlock Town successfully claimed another 3 points this afternoon (24/01/26) as they saw off Blyth Spartans in the NPL East Division.
Even before the game this was an intriguing encounter, as the visitors found themselves in a bit of a rich vein of form, having recently appointed a new manager and recruited a host of new players. It could be argued that this was a game between two teams who should both be in a higher division than where they currently find themselves.
On paper then, this was set up to be an entertaining game, and it certainly lived up to the hype in the early exchanges, with both teams attacking in a bright and energetic style. After 8 minutes, the hosts came the closest, with Mbayo heading against the post from a corner. 5 minutes later, they had another go as Wilson expertly cut inside from the left, only to find his curling effort saved by the Spartans keeper. Viggars was unable to turn home the rebound.
The remainder of the first half continued in much the same vein, with both teams attacking each other in an end-to-end encounter that was likened to an NBA basketball game at one point! The only real downside of the opening 20 minutes was the forced change at the back for the Gladiators as Oglesby went off injured to be replaced by Wiley, who himself is only just coming back from injury.
If anyone edged it however, it would probably be the home side who would have two more big chances in the last 10 minutes of the first half. Firstly, Washington who received the ball in a square pass from Viggars, before rounding the goalkeeper but unfortunately, was unable to sort his feet out to get a shot away into what would have been an empty net. 5 minutes later, Viggars, himself went close as his shot was well blocked on the line from a Spartans defender.
The Gladiators went in level at the break, but safe in the knowledge that on a different day, it could have been 3 or 4-0!
Half-Time Matlock Town 0-0 Blyth Spartans
The second half picked up exactly where the first half left off, although for the first ten minutes or so, it was actually the visitors that found themselves on top. In fact, in the space of 2 minutes, Spartans had 2 very good chances to take the lead, firstly Michael Fowler volleying the ball into the back of the net (only to be flagged offside) before a point blank save from Wharton in the Gladiators’ goal being the only thing that kept Summerly out and the scores level!
However, inside two minutes after this save, the hosts would find themselves in front. The ball broke favourably for Washington who ran the length of the pitch on the counterattack. His pass found Wilson, who expertly turned his defender, before returning the ball to Washington inside the box who tucked his shot into the bottom corner.
Within 5 minutes it could have been 2 as Washington once again found space in the box. His effort was well saved by the Spartans keeper, with Thompson’s follow up only getting as far as a deflection over the bar.
Matlock continued trying to pile on the pressure and find that all important second goal, but all credit to the opposition who refused to acknowledge that they were beaten and kept going right up to the last kick. More excellent goalkeeping by Wharton (who took a boot to the ribs during one of his saves) being the only thing that kept the hosts in front.
A bit of a nail-biting finish with 8 minutes of injury time, but the Gladiators did well to deal with the onslaught of pressure from Spartans at the end of the game and were good value for the 1-0 victory today.
Full-Time – Matlock Town 1-0 Blyth Spartans
All in all, a successful afternoon for Adam Clayton’s side who on another day, without goal line clearances and hitting the post, would have scored 4 or 5 this afternoon but full credit to Blyth Spartans who defended really well and made a good account of themselves. Without an excellent performance from Wharton in goal, the Gladiators may have found themselves only claiming a single point, if any! A special mention also to the Spartans supporters today who travelled in good numbers, despite one of their longest away trips in the league this season!
Matlock Town are next in action on Tuesday night (27/01/26) when the host Newton Aycliffe at the Proctor Cars Stadium.
Matlock XI – 1. Wharton, 2. Eratt-Thompson, 3. Macdonald, 4. Ravenhill (C), 5. Mbayo, 6. Oglesby (Wiley 17’), 7. Thompson (Bachirou 78’), 8. Sault, 9. Washington, 10. Viggars, 11. Wilson (Atherton 72’)
Spartans XI – 1. Dobson, 2. Evans, 3. Summerly, 4. Simpson, 5. Vaulks (C), 6. McClafferty (Stirland 65’), 7. Joisce (Wood 78’), 8. Downey (Dudgeon 69’), 9. Fowler, 10. Van Zandvliet (Millington 90+1’), 11. Foalle
