By Chris Wood for North Derbyshire Radio
The Gladiators made their shortest away trip of the 25/26 season as they travelled to Sandygate, the world’s oldest football ground still in use, home of Hallam FC, yesterday (31/01/26).
Manager Adam Clayton made a number of changes from the side that dispatched Blyth Spartans seven days earlier, potentially to combat the heavy pitch and the difficult conditions on the Saturday afternoon. The gaffer chose to start the game in a back 5, with a centre-back trio that we haven’t seen play together all season (or at least very rarely).
However, it was the hosts that started brighter, easily having the best of the opening exchanges, moving the ball well and testing the Gladiators’ defence in the first 10 minutes. The home side clearly being more used to the conditions than the visitors!
After 15 minutes, Matlock grew into the game, managing to craft a couple of crosses and opportunities that ultimately led to nothing, but they had begun to knock on the door. In fact, 2 minutes later the first goal arrived. A low cross from Declan Eratt-Thompson being unfortunately deflected into his own net by a Hallam defender to give Matlock the lead.
Nothing more of note really happened in the first half, aside from some very good goalkeeping from Dylan Wharton to keep the Gladiators in front. The torrential downpour on an already heavy pitch probably not helping matters as neither team could really get into a flow.
Half-Time – Hallam 0-1 Matlock Town
For everything that didn’t happen in a damp and soggy first half, the second 45 had it all! Just 3 minutes after the restart, the hosts had a shout for a penalty as the Hallam number 9 Danny South was hauled over in the box. Thankfully for Matlock, the referee was unmoved.
4 minutes later there was even more drama! The hosts found themselves reduced to 10 men as Russon received his marching orders after a late 2 footed challenge on Callum Macdonald. Lots of big challenges followed in a game that got feisty and livened up after this, possible helped by the slippery conditions on the pitch.
In fact, as often happens in football, the hosts were really galvanised by the dismissal and had the majority of the ball and created a lot of opportunities during the second half. Excellent saves from Wharton being the only thing that kept the scoreline in favour of the visitors. On 70 minutes was the pick of the saves as Matlock’s #1 made an excellent stop from point blank range! From the ensuing counter attack (following a corner) a last ditch tackle from the Hallam defender was the only thing preventing Connor Washington from doubling the advantage.
Hallam continued to apply the pressure, but the much changed Gladiators defence stood firm in the face of mounting pressure. It was even more necessary as a slippery ball led to Wharton dropping a number of crosses, heart in mouth moments for the travelling Gladiators fans!
One of these dropped crosses led to Hallam’s equaliser. The scramble that came following the ball spilling away, led to a foul on Ward and a penalty. The Hallam #14 then dispatched the penalty, smashing it straight down the middle, breaking the hearts of those connected to Matlock, the players having worked hard to maintain their lead throughout the second half. As stoppage time loomed, it seemed like Matlock would have to settle for a share of the points.
However, the story of this game was not done! 3 minutes later (90+4 minutes on my watch) the Gladiators won a corner. The corner was swung in and a goal mouth scramble led to Ben Sault tapping the ball home, sending the travelling support behind that goal into absolute pandemonium!
Full-Time – Hallam 1-2 Matlock Town
All in all, a well fought victory in tricky conditions for Matlock, who some would say were lucky to come away with the 3 points. Stand out performances from the goalkeeper Dylan Wharton, as well as a welcome return to the starting 11 for Josh Granite, leading to a much more organised and solid display than we’ve seen recently.
An important victory, considering that Matlock have to play the rest of the top 5 in their next 4 league games! (postponements and rearrangements dependent) the first of which sees them travel to Bradford Park Avenue on Tuesday (03/02/26)
Hallam XI – 1. Warhurst, 2. Sharman, 3. Aguas, 4. Burns, 5. Smith (Blakeley 57’), 6. Bradbury (Lipka 69’), 7. Warren, 8. Staniland, 9. South (C) (Ward 75’), 10. Russon, 11. Litchfield (Havenhand 75’)
Matlock XI – 1. Wharton, 2. Eratt-Thompson, 3. Wiley, 4. Ravenhill (C), 5. Mbayo, 6. Granite, 7. Thompson (Milambo 86’), 8. Sault, 9. Washington (Bachirou 75’), 10. Viggars, 11. Macdonald
