By Chris Wood for North Derbyshire Radio
New manager Nathan Haslam successfully won his first home game in charge of Matlock Town as they beat top of the league Liversedge FC 2-0 at the Proctor Cars Stadium on Saturday (17/10/26).
The hosts came flying out of the starting blocks and began the game very much on the front foot. There was a lot of high pressing and a couple of early opportunities at goal, with a lot of energy and movement across the front line delighting home fans. The biggest chance of the opening minutes fell to Goodson after with just 6 on the clock. He picked up the ball from a poor clearance from Liversedge’s goalkeeper and he went for the spectacular long range chip! Unfortunately, he also chipped the cross bar and his effort went over.
5 minutes later however, the early pressure finally paid its dividends. Kachosa, impressing again on his home debut, picked the pocket of a defender after a poor clearance. He found Abbey in the box who finished well into the top corner to give the hosts the lead.
As the first half progressed, the visitors began to show their quality. They put increasing pressure on the Gladiators’ box but the defence stood firm and dealt with everything Liversedge threw at them. Arguably the biggest chance of the first half fell to the North-East based club on 40 minutes as a cross came in from the left that Dewhurst managed to palm away but not far enough. The shot came back in from the corner of the box, beating the keeper, but finding Walker on the goal line to head away.
Half-Time – Matlock Town 1-0 Liversedge
After the half time break, it was the visitors who kept their first half momentum going and continued to mount pressure on Matlock’s defence. Just past the hour mark, Liversedge looked set to score as a ball to the back post found their number 7 Donovan with too much space at the back post. Home fans breathed a sigh of relief as he volleyed over the bar.
In the opposite manner of the first half, this time it was the hosts who would grow into the game as the half progressed. Just 4 minutes after the visitors’ big chance, Sault broke through the defence with some mazy dribbling, ending up one-on-one with the keeper. However, in trying to place his shot in the bottom corner, he missed the target and the ball went our for a harmless goal kick.
2 minutes later, Matlock did double their lead. A corner was swung into the back post to find Walker unmarked to head home his 3rd in as many games! A good goalscoring run for the defender who’s head both saved and scored a goal this afternoon!
The second half continued in an end to end manner, in what was a very entertaining contest. The visitors did have a goal disallowed for offside after 71 minutes but, fortunately for the home fans, the linesman’s flag was up to curb the celebrations.
Matlock would have one more chance with virtually the last kick of the game as Goodson was played through to the byline and managed to find a cross to the back post. The cross found the feet of debutant Pettifer who clipped the outside of the post with his effort and the ball went wide.
Full-Time – Matlock Town 2-0 Liversedge
A very entertaining contest at the Proctor Cars Stadium this afternoon, befitting of two teams with a lot of quality who wanted to play attractive football. The manner in which the Gladiators got the win will also be pleasing, limiting the visitors to very little and keeping their 3rd clean sheet in as many games as well.
Manager Nathan Haslam can be very pleased with the performance of his side who now face a long trip up North to take on Blyth Spartans on Tuesday evening.
Matlock XI – 1. Dewhurst, 2. Eratt-Thompson (C), 3. Giles, 4. Bachirou, 5. Walker, 6. Andoh, 7. Bradbury, 8. Sault (Pettifer 75’), 9. Abbey (Jeffers 87’), 10. Goodson, 11. Kachosa
Liversedge XI – 1. Porter, 2. Atkinson (C) (Hendrie 49’), 3. Baldwin, 4. Watson, 5. Hartley (Walton 82’), 7. Donovan, 8. Wollerton (Barlow 78’), 9. Brown (Sorhaindo 63’), 10. Dean, 11. Swales, 14. Coates
