By Chris Wood for North Derbyshire Radio
Photo Credit – Steve Greenhough
Well, well, well, what a game we were treated to at the Belle View Stadium this afternoon (24/10/2026) with the visitors eventually winning the game 6-4 in the last 10 minutes of normal time.
For the first 10 minutes or so, the game was fairly even and open. Matlock had the better of the opening half chances but Consett (just 2 points behind Matlock in the form guide going into this afternoon) did carve out chances of their own, thankfully Dewhurst equal to all of their chances.
On 15 minutes, it was the hosts who broke the deadlock. Walker was a little too casual with a clearance as he was closed down by Lowery. The clearance hit the Consett winger who found himself through on goal with only Dewhurst to beat. After running the length of the Gladiators’ half he found a very good finish low and beyond the goalkeeper to open the scoring.
However, their lead lasted only 2 minutes before Sam Giles came up with the equaliser! Sault was played through and his shot was saved by the keeper. However, all the Consett keeper managed to do was push it into the danger area where Giles could pounce and poke his finish home!
Just 6 minutes later, Giles and Matlock doubled their scoreline. This time he was found with a delightful pass and he ended up with far too much space into the box to lift a shot over the keeper and nestle into the far corner.
The hosts weren’t down and out yet as they continued to threaten an equaliser. A combination of Dewhurst in goal and some good defending from both Andoh and Walker keeping the Gladiators in front. The majority of the first half was few on chances from either side, although I’m sure the conditions played their part in that.
I say the majority of the first because in the last 5 minutes, Matlock would add 2 further goals. Firstly Kachosa nodding in at the back post following a cross from Pettifer that the keeper failed to deal with, leaving a simple finish. Then 4 minutes later, top scorer Abbey got involved as he received the ball inside the channel from a great pass, then making no mistake as he finished well into the far bottom corner. Delight for the Gladiators fans and disappointment/anger from the home following.
Half-Time – Consett 1-4 Matlock Town
After the break, the game continued to be as open as it was in the first, with the wind and the wet pitch leading to lots of chances for both teams, but it was the hosts who would enjoy the majority of the second half chances.
Between half time and the 82 minute mark, the hosts would score 3 goals to level the tie. Firstly at 6 minutes as Holdsworth had too much time and space in the box to side-foot a shot home. They had to wait a little longer for their 3rd which came after 65 minutes as Walker swiped at a clearance but failed to get anything on it, leaving Holdsworth with a very simple job to tap home for his second and Consett’s third. The turnaround was completed 8 minutes from time as debutant Robinson had his pocket picked by Lowery. The winger then had all the space in front of him yet again as he ran into the box and finished beyond Dewhurst, this time it was home fans’ turn for pandemonium.
However, this crazy contest was not done yet as Matlock would add 2 further goals in 3 minutes to claim all 3 points. Substitute Washington scored both goals, firstly as he was played down the channel by Abbey before finishing into the bottom corner. The veteran striker’s second would come 2 minutes later as Kachosa grabbed another assist as his low ball to the back post just about found Washington to tap home.
Walker would clear a further Consett chance off the line to prevent an 11th goal and a nervy end for the Matlock fans.
Full-Time – Consett 4-6 Matlock Town
An absolutely crazy encounter this afternoon in even crazier conditions as Matlock made sure all 3 points made it home to Derbyshire. What made the result even more impressive was that Consett had been unbeaten at home before the Gladiators came to town!
Another positive was the return from injury of both Washington and Gough who both got important minutes this afternoon in their return to fitness. Hopefully the lengthy Matlock injury list will begin to show signs of recovery now.
Matlock’s next game is next Saturday (31/10/2026) when they travel to Garforth Town in the NPL East Division
Consett XI – 1. Moss, 2. Gomez, 3. Daniels, 4. Leech, 5. Colledge, 6. Constantin, 7. Lowery, 8. Costello (C), 9. Holdsworth, 10. Thompson, 11. Walker
Matlock XI – 1. Dewhurst, 2. Eratt-Thompson (C), 3. Robinson, 4. Bachirou, 5. Walker, 6. Andoh, 7. Giles (Gough 65’), 8. Pettifer, 9. Abbey, 10. Sault (Washington 57’), 11. Kachosa
