Second half goals from Ian Holmes and Steve Taylor gave Matlock a routine victory over a toothless Long Eaton at Grange Park on Saturday. As at Barton seven days earlier, the Gladiators virtually fielded two different sides during the ninety minutes including a fresh trialist in Liam Powell at right back. Powell, with sixty Conference North appearances under his belt at Hucknall, slotted in comfortably and looks as if he could be a valuable addition to the Gladiators defensive ranks, should he sign on the dotted line.

Andy Richmond probably won't have an easier afternoon all season as the Matlock defence easily coped with Long Eaton's rather predictable attacking moves, Richmond scarcely had a save to make all afternoon with the few attempts they had at the Gladiators goal being off target. Matlock ought to have been well in front by the interval. They had the lion share of the play and they did everything but score. The Gladiators began with Holmes partnering Dene Cropper in attack with Paul Riley
operating down the left.

The match began quietly but by the mid point of the first period, the Gladiators looked to be well in control . The first dangerous moment came on 13 minutes when Cropper hooked a James Lukic ross too high from 16 yards after the skipper had combined sweetly with Gary Webster on the right. Holmes was his usual lively self with an instant twenty five yarder just rising a little too much before breaking down the left to feed Cropper whose strike was blocked. Then Town's top marksman fired a Webster cross directly at goalkeeper Steve Smith before returning the compliment for Webster to shoot beyond Smith's right hand post. The half ended with Cropper and Holmes both going close.

Long Eaton came more into the game in the second half due partly to some sloppy Matlock play, but had the game been going on now, it is doubtful whether they would have found the net. At the game's three quarter point substitute Mark Smith dragged a shot wide before at the other end Alex Steadman did likewise. Then out of the blue came a goal which broke everyone from their slumber as Steve Warne's pin
point cross found HOLMES who glanced in a classic close range header to give the visitors a 71st minute lead. Eight minutes later fine play by Smith whose close control mesmerised the Blues defence saw him square for STEVE TAYLOR who whacked in a firm left foot twelve yard drive to put the match well and truly out of Long Eaton's reach.

It wasn't a game to linger long in the memory, but at least there was a clean bill of health before two more testing warm up games to climax the Gladiators pre season preparations.

MATLOCK TOWN: Richmond, Powell (Warne 46) (Goff 84), Austin (R Taylor 72), Circuit (Lambert 70), Kirkwood (Hall 72), Lukic (McNicholas 68), Webster (Smith 46), Ashley (Loukes 78), Cropper (S Taylor 65), Holmes (Mottershead 81), Riley (Barraclough 46).
REFEREE: J Thornhill (Ilkeston) ATTENDANCE: 100 est STAR MAN: Ian Holmes.