A Nathan Joynes brace was sufficient for Matlock to see off Baris Northern Counties East League Premier Division Armthorpe in South Yorkshire on Tuesday night.
Overall, the performance and the result was more pleasing than had been the case in the opening friendly at Teversal, but again the underdogs gave the Gladiators a good game.
Town chief Mark Atkins changed all of his outfield players during the game, with the main aim clearly being, as well as winning the match, building up his squad's fitness levels.
The opening half finished scoreless in what was an even affair. Lee Whittington, scorer of their equaliser on Saturday, was through on goal only to lose control at the most inappropriate moment as he looked to find his shot.
Trialist goalkeeper dan Whatsize beat away a powerful shot from the always lively left winger Henry Sibenge, who had overlapped on the left. from the corner a header goalwards probably didn't have to be helped on by Aaron Jones, who did the Matlock defence's job by heading over the frame of the goal.
Matlock's reply was a Ryan Mallon strike comfortably held by home custodian Jamie Green and a Whittington header from a Chris Bettney cross which Green gathered low down to his left. A promising break from Bettney ended disappointingly with a scuffed cross as Ian Holmes was unattended in the centre. The half ended with Whittington dragging a shot wide, a deflected James Lukic header finding Green and Armthorpe full back slicing a Mallon centre only inches over his own crossbar.
The visitors made seven changes at the interval including an anonymous French trialist who will be in the Chesterfield squad at Alfreton on Friday.Within five minutes of the resumption they had taken a controversial lead as Bettney's cross from the left found JOYNES a yard out via the crossbar for the simplest of finishes. Armthorpe and particularly Green were furious, claiming Bettney's centre had curled behind and back into play.
The goal lifted Matlock who were undoubtedly the better side for the rest of the contest. Joynes ran intelligently into space on the right to hook an effort inches over the far post. The aforementioned trialist then came into his own with three lightening raids up the right, one bringing a sliced finish after a dazzling sixty yard run, the second a comfortable save from Green before the keeper excelled with a fine diving stop to his right to claw the ball from the top corner.
Sibenge pulled a cross shot wide after Ben Turner had lost possession, but in spite of altering all of their back four, Matlock refused to allow the hosts in behind them.
JOYNES doubled the lead with a fiercely struck drive from the edge of the box with seven minutes left only for Armthorpe to reduce the deficit almost immediately. Again Sibenge was prominent, although he appeared to nudge Turner before shooting across goal. Whatsize did his best to knock the shot out of harm's length, but substitute CRAIG FLETCHER followed up to net the loose ball.
But Matlock secured the win and deservedly so from their second half display in particular. Kris Bowler did not put a foot wrong in midfield and has returned leaner and hungry. Joynes worked hard in attack and was rewarded with his goals as Matlock took a firm grip on proceedings.
MATLOCK TOWN: Dan Whatsize, Micky Harcourt, Lee Featherstone, Steve Warne, Adam Yates, James Lukic, Chris Bettney, Lee Whittington, Ian Holmes, Gareth Davies, Ryan Mallon. Subs-all used: Ben Turner, Simon Sturdy, Will Kendall, Kris Bowler, Liam King, Nathan Joynes, Trialist, Kris Witcombe Mark Haran, Alex Bracken.
REFEREE: M Griffiths--Doncaster. ATTENDANCE: 80 (est) STAR MAN: Kris Bowler.
