By Chris Wood for North Derbyshire Radio
Photo Credit: Michael South Photography
Matlock Town successfully put the demons of the Emley defeat behind them on Tuesday night (03/03/26) as they thrashed Newton Aycliffe in a 9-goal thriller at the Proctor Cars Stadium.
Manager Adam Clayton made a number of changes to the side that were beaten at home last night and it didn’t take long for the fresh-look 11 to stamp their mark on the game. After just 6 minutes, Washington picked up the ball on the edge of the box and (at the second attempt) fired a low shot into the middle of the goal to open the scoring.
The dominance of the home side set a precedent for the rest of the first half really as the Gladiators enjoyed some of the best football they have played all season! 3 minutes after his goal, Washington was again round the back but this time the keeper managed to make a good save and the defenders were able to scramble the ball away.
Washington turned provider after 12 minutes. Captain Ravenhill (restored to the starting 11 today following suspension) played a sublime through ball to the number 9, completely splitting the defence. Washington was unselfish and squared the ball to young Theo Upton who just had to tap into an empty net, making it 2-0 inside quarter of an hour.
The chances kept coming as, on 19 minutes, fit again Tommy Elliott chipped the ball to the back post to meet the head of Mbayo, rising like a salmon to head towards goal. It’s hard to say what happened from the other end of the pitch, but Canoville was unable to turn home, and 2 defenders managed to combine, clearing the ball off the line!
After 25 minutes, we had the first piece of drama in what would turn out to be an incident packed encounter. Elliott was involved again as he was dancing across the box, before being blatantly tripped by an Aycliffe defender. Wilson stepped up to take the penalty, but his effort towards the bottom right corner was well saved by the visiting keeper.
Wilson did eventually get his goal, and Matlock’s 3 goal cushion. Just past the half hour mark, the Gladiators’ top scoring winger went on a mazy run, dancing past a number of defenders before slotting the ball into the far corner for 3-0. The home fans being thoroughly entertained in this contest.
The hosts weren’t done there either! Macdonald had a go himself from a 25-yard free kick. The only thing preventing the left back from scoring a fabulous goal, was a combination of a good save by the keeper, and the cross bar!
The visitors were far from out of it though, as 4 minutes before the break they grabbed themselves a goal. Wharton’s goal kick was poor, and it was picked up by the visitors’ number 11. He got himself to the by-line and pulled the ball across before it was flicked to the back post where Clarkson could tap into an empty net.
Just a minute later, we had even more incidents! Firstly, the visitors were reduced to 10 men as Luck was judged to have hauled down Canoville in the box. The resulting penalty was dispatched by Washington to restore the host’s 3 goal cushion in what was a very impressive first half.
Half-Time – Matlock Town 4-1 Newton Aycliffe
Matlock kept their foot on the gas after the restart and appeared to pick up from exactly where they left off as after 4 minutes they added another goal. Some brilliant work from half-time substitute Atherton saw him pull the ball back to Upton. The young man’s second goal for in blue and white came as the ball spun up and past the visiting keeper.
Even with this impressive score line, the hosts kept pushing, hoping to put some pressure on Emley’s more impressive goal difference. Atherton, Washington and Wilson all having attempts over the next 20 or so minutes, each one being met by either a deflection or good saves from Seymour in the Aycliffe goal.
All this pressure eventually rang true as midway through the second half, Upton completed his hat trick. Some pressure on the goalkeeper saw the Gladiators’ midfielder nicking the ball of the keeper and all he had was an empty net to grant him a very well-deserved match ball to take home as a souvenir!
We weren’t done yet! The visitors grabbed themselves another consolation, AGAIN from the penalty spot! A clumsy challenge from Milambo gave Robertson the chance to convert from 12 yards and his penalty went to the same corner as Washington’s and Wilson’s in the first half. Unfortunately, Wharton was unable to pull off the heroics to keep it out.
The impressive scoreline was completed by captain fantastic Ravenhill himself who pinched the ball off a defender with just under 10 minutes to go. The midfielder tucked the ball into the bottom corner when 1 on 1 with the keeper to get his name on the scoresheet in what was an impressive evening all round.
Full-Time – Matlock Town 7-2 Newton Aycliffe
A VERY impressive Gladiators performance to bounce back after the disappointing defeat a couple of Saturdays ago. Matlock fans will be even more encouraged by the impressive football and numerous chances created from all over the pitch. Especially when going into the closing stages of the season. The only downside being a significant injury to goalkeeper Dylan Wharton, the club announced on social media on Wednesday.
A thoroughly entertaining evening to put some confidence back into the side ahead of the long trip North to bottom club Blyth Town on Saturday when Matlock are next in action.
Matlock XI – 1. Wharton, 2. Eratt-Thompson, 3. Macdonald (Milambo 68’), 4. Bachirou, 5. Mbayo, 6. Canoville, 7. Upton (Zoko 73’), 8. Ravenhill (C), 9. Washington, 10. Elliott (Atherton 45’), 11. Wilson
Newton Aycliffe XI – 1. Seymour, 2. White (Sloan 46’), 3. Gibson (Robertson 52’), 4. Clarkson, 5. Luck, 6. Slocombe, 7. Orrell, 8. Fitzpatrick, 9. Nelson (C), 10. Camarda (Davy 53’), 11. Greenway
