MATLOCK TOWN 0-0 CHESTERFIELD (Matlock win 5-3 after penalty shoot-out)
An outstanding performance and result for Matlock in their opening friendly against League Two newcomers Chesterfield saw the Gladiators lift the Ernie Moss Challenge Cup for the first time.
Very few people would have expected this scoreline, particularly after the way the Spireites demolished the Gladiators 9-0 a year ago but a repeat was never on the cards with everyone in blue shirts plus the two Matlock goalkeepers playing their part.
Manager Nicky Law set up the Gladiators as being a tough nut to crack and so it proved. In fact Matlock started brightly winning an early corner and seeing Curtis Durose have a good chance only for him to scuff his finish into the turf and making the save comfortable for goalkeeper Ryan Boot.
A Joe West free kick caused problems for the Spireites before at the other end Matlock’s new goalkeeper Ben Townsend did well to keep out a header from Brandon Horton.
Matlock though were competing well and holding their own with the back line of Josh Ashman, West, Shaun Brisley, Connor O’Grady and Charlie Oglesby looking in no mood to give much away.
Harry Wood was also a giant in midfield for the Gladiators and he seemed to be their best hope of creativity.
Of course, it was inevitable that Chesterfield would have opportunities, Joe Quigley spurning an excellent chance when he glanced wide a cross from Paddy Madden when he should really have found the target. Then Dobra cut in from the left to guide a curling effort narrowly wide of the far post before Townsend was on hand to deny Kane Drummond who had latched on to a cross from James Berry.
There was a good chance for Matlock when O’Grady met a centre from West to head goalwards only for Boot to do well to keep the ball out, the half coming to a close with Berry shooting high over the bar as Matlock could be well pleased with their contribution thus far.
The usual plethora of substitutions occurred during a second half when again Matlock stuck superbly to their task of frustrating their higher league neighbours. They had an escape though on 54 minutes when Ryan Colclough connected with a ball deep into the Matlock box only to strike the inside of a post. Five minutes later new signing Chay Dunkley planted his header too high before the substitute Chesterfield goalkeeper got himself in an awful tangle and was lucky not to concede when Trialist B robbed him and it needed an excellent make up block to keep the shot out.
Will Grigg directed his header from a Ryan Jessop cross wide with Colclough being unable to convert in the best chance of the latter stages.
The ninety minutes ended in stalemate and penalties would be vital with Matlock converting all five through O’Grady ,West and three trialists, Colclough striking the bar meaning that the spot kicks scored by Grigg and Cook would be in vain.
Captain Brisley stepped up to receive the trophy from Jenny Moss in what proved to be a great day all round for Matlock.
After the match North Derbyshire Radio’s Senior Sports Editor Matthew Rhodes spoke to a very happy Matlock Town manager Nicky
Law
