By Chris Wood for North Derbyshire Radio
Photo Credit: Michael South Photography
Matlock Town successfully silenced some of the critics from Saturday’s disappointing defeat by beating Grimsby Borough 3-2 at the Proctor Cars Stadium on Tuesday evening (11/08/26).
From the off, the Gladiators looked a lot more lively than they did at the weekend, the reintroduction of Tommy Elliott into the starting 11 certainly helping matters! They were much more direct and putting a lot of pressure on the Grimsby backline.
The first chances of the game came just after 10 minutes had been played. Firstly Jed Abbey was played in by Elliott, but unfortunately dragged his shot wide. Eratt-Thompson then had a go from range less than a minute later and drew a good save out of Richardson in the Borough goal.
The midfield battle was much more in Matlock’s favour too. Brandon Bradbury having an excellent first half, stopping counter attacks and linking up play to the forwards. The best example of this being midway through the first half when he won the ball with an excellent challenge in midfield. Bradbury sent the ball forward and Abbey eventually found Levi Andoh in the Grimsby box. Sadly though, his shot was rather tame and was well wide in the end.
5 minutes before the interval, Eratt-Thompson popped up from range again, this time catching a full volley beautifully but also watching it sail agonisingly wide. Goal of the season contest over already if that had gone in!
Matlock didn’t find it all plain sailing though, as Grimsby created some chances of their own on the counter-attack. Most notably with 2 minutes of the first half to play when a combination of Dewhurst and the crossbar prevented a cross from dropping into the Gladiators’ net! The follow up shot was excellently blocked by Cummings on the line.
The final downside of the half came when Tom Senior was forced off with what looked like a hamstring injury. A potential defensive problem brewing for Matlock who now have 2 centre-backs on the treatment table.
Half-Time – Matlock Town 0-0 Grimsby Borough
After half time, it was very much ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ and the Gladiators kept knocking on the door of the Grimsby Borough defence. My one complaint would be that they potentially didn’t test the goalkeeper enough but the pressure would hopefully tell in the end.
It was actually the visitors who broke the deadlock, less than 10 minutes after the restart they broke at pace, with Dewhurst producing an excellent save with his feet to keep the forward out. However, Grimsby recycled the ball well and the cross found Topliss who managed to head into the bottom corner.
It took another 10 minutes after going behind but eventually Matlock came alive and scored 3 goals in the space of 5 or so minutes! Firstly, Washington sent substitute Milambo down the left hand side, his low cross found Bradbury at the back post. The midfielder fumbled his first attempt but managed to sort his feet out to stab home the equaliser.
3 minutes later, Matlock were in front, this time Elliott sending Washington down the right hand side with the striker sending in a low cross, putting it on a plate for Abbey to score his first league goal in the blue and white!
It took just 2 more minutes for the third to go in. Much like the first goal, Washington (who was involved in all 3 goals) found Milambo down the left hand side. The winger’s low cross deflecting off a Grimsby boot, giving Abbey the simplest of finishes to make it 3-1.
It still wasn’t all plain sailing though as Grimsby added a second with 13 minutes to play. The cross came in and managed to go all the way through to the back post where the striker could simply nod home. Matlock’s defence where adamant that it came off his hand, but the referee and linesman were unmoved.
The last 10 minutes or so became quite a nervous affair after that, with Matlock pushing to kill the game off but unable to find that killer instinct. Some impressive defending at the other end as well managed to keep the visitors out as they pushed for an equaliser.
All this nervousness erupted in a big way in the final minute of the game as Keke Jeffers was fouled to the left of the Grimsby box. There was a bit of afters as Keke went to retrieve the ball for a free kick and chaos ensued with players from all sides getting involved in a bit of a brawl! Both sides escaping with just a booking apiece.
Full-time – Matlock Towm 3-2 Grimsby Borough
All in all, a much better performance from Matlock who will hope to really kick on with their season now. There are still improvements to be made but as the old cliché goes, it’s a marathon, not a sprint! If Matlock continue to improve in the way they have in the last 2 days, it should be a very successful season for those in blue and white! Also a nod of appreciation to Eratt-Thompson who played in midfield this evening and put in a man of the match performance in a less familiar position.
Matlock’s next game is a long away trip to Morpeth Town on Saturday 15/08/26 with kick off at 3pm.
Matlock XI – 1. Dewhurst, 2. Andoh, 3. Asante-Boakye, 4. Bachirou, 5. Cummings (C), 6. Senior (Milambo 45’), 7. Eratt-Thompson, 8. Bradbury, 9. Washington, 10. Elliott (Waldram 90+1’), 11. Abbey (Jeffers 90+1’)
Grimsby XI – 1. Richardson, 2. Drummond, 3. Wood (Sawyer 69’), 4. Flett (Cribb 67’), 5. Walker, 6. Bradley (Adelekan 67’), 7. Clarke, 8. Topliss (C), 9. Burden-Whittleton, 10. Ceesay (Clements 79’), 11. Couch (Wireko 69’)
