An outstanding team display, masterminded by manager Mark Atkins from the sidelines, earned the Gladiators a thoroughly deserved FA Trophy victory at pre match favourites Cambridge City.
The Lilywhites lay in fourth place in the Zamoretto Southern League Premier Division and were unbeaten in the league so far this season. Matlock, struggling in the relegation zone of the UniBond Premier, were expected by many to be rolled over. But Atkins and his players clearly hadn't read the script.
Atkins adopted a 4-5-1 formation with Ross Hannah as the lone striker. His plan worked a treat as Matlock took the game to City from the off and could have been comfortably ahead by the interval, but for home goalkeeper Zack Barrett and the woodwork. But as in the last round, the winner came direct from a free kick, placed expertly low into the corner by Gareth Davies on 68 minutes, and although City had now warmed a little more to their task, no-one could deny that Matlock deserved their success.
Ben Algar wore the number nine shirt in place of Nathan Benger who was on the bench. Algar and Wood worked the flanks well leaving Liam King, Steve Warne and Davies to provide solidity and flair from the central positions.
Algar immediately threatened with a run down the left only to slightly overhit his centre, as Matlock soon took a grip on the tie and their early industry nearly brought its reward in the 10th minute when King shot from the edge of the penalty box, the effort taking a deflection which looked like sneaking in just under the bar. But Barrett flung himself to his right to produce a marvellous fingertip save.
City manager Gary Roberts said his side would throw the kitchen sink at deputy goalkeeper Nick Buxton, but his players let him down as the Town goalkeeping coach, deputising for the suspended Adam Sollitt, was never seriously tested, testament to excellent defending, particularly in the second half when the hosts upped the tempo. Simon Sturdy and James Lukic were magnificent alongside the equally impressive Adam Yates and Lee Featherstone.
It was Sturdy who nearly gave Matlock a 17th minute lead, but again fine goalkeeping by Barrett denied the visitors. The on loan stopper got up well to meet a left wing corner with a thumping header which Barrett tipped on to the bar and over. Then he was equally effective at the other end, stretching to defy Steve Gentle, and when the ball was returned into the mix, Gentle gently nodded harmlessly wide a chance which was by no means clear cut.
But it was Matlock still calling the tune and they were unlucky once again in the 34th minute when Hannah's pace took him beyond Laurie Stewart to prod past Barrett only for the ball to rebound off the foot of the post. A clearly rattled City then had Stewart's central defensive partner Lee Chaffey booked for sycthing down Hannah. Town's top scorer nearly reached the resulting free kick before the attack continued with King belting a rising twenty yarder too high.
After Sturdy went into referee Ellis' notebook for bringing down John Frendo, Matlock rallied again in the final minute of the half and Lukic rose to meet a free kick with a fine header which again,was well stopped by Barrett.
The only thing missing from the Matlock first half showing was a goal or two.
City made a double substitution at the interval, including bringing on the experienced former Kettering striker Neil Midgley and after being undoubtedly second best in the opening half, they set about making more of a mark in the second period.
Now it was a much more even affair although the first real chance fell to King on 53 minutes whose shot was blocked after neat interplay by Davies and Hannah.
But two minutes later came Matlock's most scary moment, and probably the only one as City opened up Matlock attacking down the left. Buxton for once, was in no mans land and the ball was played in low for Midgley who skied over the bar from eight yards.Then Buxton was ideally placed to block a flicked header from Robbie Nightingale following a long throw from the right before Theobald's header dropped harmlessly wide.
Chaffey briefly went off struggling with a leg injury and surprisingly while he was off, the hosts made their third and final change as full back Matt Haniver made way for Tom Pepper. Chaffey returned but was clearly gritting his teeth to play through the pain barrier.
Matlock responded by introducing the pace of young Darren Cartwright on the right to take on Chaffey who was now at left back.Three minutes later came the defining moment when Pepper pushed Hannah to concede a free kick. DAVIES beat the wall and Barrett at his near post to the delight of his team mates and the travelling fans.
Yates clattered into Frendo to earn a deserved booking, the free kick being met by Pepper at the back post who, like the ball, collided with the advertising hoarding behind the goal.
Matlock were now having to defend as City stormed forward in search of a leveller, but although Stewart headed over from a corner, there was little else to worry the visitors.
Hannah came off to warm applause with five minutes left, having run himself into the ground yet again. Benger's fresh legs, when he combined with Algar in the first of an incredible six minutes added on by Mr Ellis, nearly let in Warne but Barrett again rescued his side with a brave block.
Mark Haran came on for Algar to shore things up even more and even in a two minute cameo appearance, cut his head open trying to evade a flying boot.
But that attitude was ntypical of the Matlock display. Grit, determination, heart, they were all there in abundance,and, they played some great stuff too!
Manager Atkins clearly had done his homework. The excellent preparation was added to by a heartening and fine performance on the field. Now its time to build on this display in important league matches which lie ahead.
MATLOCK TOWN: Buxton, Yates, Featherstone, King, Sturdy, Lukic, Davies, Warne, Algar (Haran 90), Hannah (Benger 85), Wood (Cartwright 64). Other sub: Cropper.
REFEREE: R Ellis--Coventry. ATTENDANCE: 276 STAR MAN: Simon Sturdy.
