Matlock Town recorded their fourth league win in a row on Tuesday evening as they thrashed Pontefract Collieries 7-1 at The Proctor Cars Stadium in the NPL East Division.
Ben Sault got the party started in the 14th minute when he kept his composure to place the ball into the bottom corner after being teed up by Cameron Wilson. Wilson got on the scoresheet himself just six minutes later with a smart finish following a corner-kick. Just after the half hour mark, Wilson notched his sixth goal of the season in all competitions when he slotted the ball past the Pontefract goalkeeper after latching onto an intelligent through ball from Tom Elliott. The Gladiators already had the game pretty much wrapped up after 36 minutes played when a pass across the face of goal from Sault was poked home from close-range by Elliott to make it 4-0.
The visitors grabbed a goal back early on in the second half thanks to an outstanding 20 yard finish from Niah Payne that Gladiators goalkeeper Jake Oram could have done nothing about. This proved to be no more than a consolation though as Adam Clayton’s side continued to run riot.
In the 56th minute, Sault linked up well with former Derby County striker Conor Washington to find the back of the net and secure his second goal of the night. The hosts made it 6-1 less than ten minutes later when Washington reacted quickest to Wilson’s effort that cannoned back off the bar. The cherry on top arrived in the 77th minute when Pontefract defender Harry Spratt inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net following a left-wing cross from Jeremie Milambo.
Matlock’s comprehensive victory sees them move up to fourth position and inside the play-offs spots in the NPL East Division. The Gladiators can also be very encouraged by the fact that they have at least one game in hand on all three sides sat above them. After some shaky and unconvincing performances in August, there are clear signs now that Clayton’s squad are really beginning to click.
The Gladiators return to action on Saturday afternoon when they face NPL Premier Division outfit Hyde United away from home in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup.
Matlock Town team: Oram, Eratt-Thompson, Milambo, Ravenhill (c), Mbayo, Oglesby, K. Clayton, Sault, Washington, Elliott, Wilson.
Used substitutes: Bachirou, Cunningham, Lawrence, Granite, Giles.
Attendance: 526
Here’s our interview with Matlock Town boss Adam Clayton
