Matlock lost by two spot kicks to one in their last friendly before the start of the new Evo-Stik League Premier Division season in a rare Sunday afternoon outing at Teversal.
The moneybags First Division South odds on title favourites took the spoils in an even first half, but in the second period Matlock played all the football and created the vast majority of the scoring chances. Manager Mark Atkins would surely be disappointed with the result, but pleased with the performance.
Colin Marrison made his long awaited bow in Matlock colours as Ross Hannah's striking partner. On the evidence of his first game, it is easy to see why Atkins signed him. Strong and direct with a deft touch, he would surely have found the target with extra match sharpness.
There were few chances in a competitive start as both teams worked hard in midfield to cancel each other out. Ian Brown fired high over Nick Buxton's bar from long range on 10 minutes before on 16, a sliced Liam King effort at the back post from a Danny Wood free kick sailed well wide.
But three minutes later Town should have been in front when a quickly taken free kick let in Marrison in a one on one with the beefy figure of former Gladiators' goalkeeper Andy Richmond who did well to block the shot.
Glapwell inckluded two more former Matlockians in centre back Matt Varley and popular striker Ian Holmes. The latter had a generally quiet game although he did forcre Buxton into a fine diving save from his well directed low drive on the half hour.
Matlock went in front three minutes afterwards when Richmond failed to claim a right wing corner before bringing down Marrison in a vain attempt to correct his error. Referee Nigel Smith, who went on to flabbergast the crowd with a series of puzzling decisions, pointed straight to the spot. Richmond kept out HANNAH's initial shot but the Gladiator reacted the quickest of all to net the rebound.
The lead lasted two minutes as Glapwell played the ball in from the left. Liam King, at centre back alongside James Lukic, looked to be impeded, but the referee then penalised Lee Featherstone for a push on Ian Brown. VARLEY squeezed his shot past the diving Buxton's right hand.
Matlock finished the half strongly with Steve Warne firing wide after good approach play from Lukic and Hannah. Marrison forced Richmond to dive full length to his left to fingertip away a low shot which looked destined for the corner and a Hannah free kick was headed off the line.
Matlock took the game to Glapwell in the second half with Kris Bowler and Danny Wood particularly impressive in midfield. A poor Richmond clearance saw Warne try a first timer from forty yards, but Richmond was quickly back to field the well intentioned effort.
Richmond then turned aside a Featherstone shot and a Bowler curler from a free kick was inches wide.
Glapwell had scarcely threatened but were awarde a second spot kick with a touch over a quarter of an hour left. Brown seemed to jump at Buxton who charged out to clear a through ball, but the referee's assistant had seen an offence which gave VARLEY the chance to beat Buxton again, only this time more comfortably.
Still Matlock would not lie down. Substitute Dene Cropper was clearly fouled by a late Glapwell tackle but managed to keep his balance in the area to side step Richmond and fire towards goal where Aaron Shelley booted off the line. Reuben Wiggins Thomas sliced past with Richmond in the way and then Shellwey again cleared off the line, tjhis time from James Knowles.
A rare Glappy foray forward saw Brown slam a shot against the bar as they held to the win by the skin of their teeth.
MATLOCK TOWN: Nick Buxton, Danny Wood (Nathan Joynes 61), Lee Featherstone, Kris Bowler, Liam King, James Lukic, Scott Brough (Kris Witcombe 75), Steve Warne, Colin Marrison (Dene Cropper 71), Ross Hannah (Reuben Wiggins-Thomas 75), Ben Algar (James Knowles 46)
REFEREE: N Smith--Chesterfield ATTENDANCE: 110-est STAR MAN: Kris Bowler
