Match Reports

This was just the performance that joint bosses Phil Brown and Gareth Williams, plus the supporters, were wanting. One full of flair, deft attacking play and steel, and of course the vital reward of three points, Matlock's first maximum point haul in two months.

Everyone was smiling afterwards and after watching such a tremendous display, fans were left reflecting why their favourites could not have produced this level of performance earlier.

A big reason of course was a long injury list. On Saturday Matlock retained the same starting line up which had brought back an encouraging point from Worksop seven days earlier, with one changecoming on the bench with the return of Ryan Davis as Laurence Hall was banned.

And after the promise of Worksop two big questions needed answering. Could the Gladiators build on that performance and also, could they gain that much needed victory?

The answer to both was an emphatic yes. From the off Matlock tore into Cables who looked unconvincing in defence. With Gary Webster and Jamie Donnelly-Jackson marauding down the flanks and Steve Taylor and Simon Barraclough combining superbly in attack, Matlock looked a potent force. Skipper James Lukic led by example, being rock solid with Tommy Hannigan in central defence and Neil Ashley and Steve Circuit were efficient in the engine room. Ryan Laight and Paul Riley were their usual effective selves and Andy Richmond had a relatively quiet afternoon.

Donnelly-Jackson had his best game yet for the Gladiators, this in his last game of his current loan spell and it begged the question as to why he did not show this form earlier. He constantly teased and tormented the Merseyside defenders with intricate footwork, skill and pace. Could it be that Matlock might ask Spireites boss Lee Richardson to let them have the winger for another month?

The game was effectively won inside the opening seventeen minutes when Matlock struck twice. On four minutes WEBSTER, who scored in the Gladiators 2-1 success at Valerie Park in September to add to his brace on the same ground last season, was again the thorn in Cables' side. A simon Barraclough cross from the left was poorly dealt with and the ball fell to Webster some twenty yards out whose fiercely hit low diagonal drive found the far corner with absolute precision.

Matlock were soon pouring forward again to earn a corner when Laight's through pass released Barraclough who played his cross against Karl Bell. Hannigan rose to meet the flag kick to plant a header narrowly high and wide. By the 12th minute the Gladiators were taking their fourth corner and Lukic would be kicking himself at knocking a free header wide when he seemed certain to score.

But five minutes later LUKIC did find the target from Town's fifth corner. Prescot again were found wanting in defence and the Town number six, just outside the penalty box, turned sweetly before beating the unsighted Zak Hibbert all along the ground.

Prescot, perhaps sensing that they needed a speedy reply, at last woke up to force a couple of corners of their own and from the second Richmond was ideally placed to gather Steve McEwen's low shot. Then excellent defending by Hannigan saw him head away a couple of crosses from Ryan Wade, but on 27 minutes, Prescot had Hibbert to thank for still being in contention.

Webster sent Taylor sprinting clear and Hibbert was up to the task with a fine save from Taylor's low drive. Donnelly-Jackson's pace earned another corner which was knocked away as far as Webster who shot high and handomely over the bar.

Cables manager Andy Gray had seen enough to make a double substitution on 37 minutes, as he hauled off striker Darren Byers and McEwen bringing on midfielder Thomas Moore nad defender Lee Smith. But they nearly conceded again on 41 minutes as Barraclough's pace took him clear and Hibbert again came to the rescue with an impressive save from the striker's low shot. Moore then joined Shaun Gray in the book for dissent as an excellent first half for the Gladiators came to a close.

Matlock's dominance continued as within seconds of the restart Webster and Donnelly Jackson linked to feed Barraclough whose cross shot skidded wide of ther far post. But they didn't have to wait long for a third goal which came from the penalty spot in the 49th minute.

Again, a superb interchange of passes on the floor, began by Webster who found Riley aw the left back deliver a cute back heel to BARRACLOUGH who was sent sprawling by Smith before dispatching his spot kick low past Hibbert's right hand.

Then it seemed a matter of how many Matlock would score, but credit to Prescot for digging in and at last showing some fight. And they scored what proved to be just a consolation effort just before the hour when WADE found room on the right to beat Richmond with a low cross drive. But then apart from an effort by Price which ended up wide after a clever back heel by Wade, Matlock were seldom worried, as inspired by Lukic, they showed the steel missing in recent games to shut up shop.

But Matlock were still finding holes in the Cables defence and could have added to their tally. An intelligent curling effort from Webster narrowly beat the far upright before Donnelly-Jackson streaked clear down the right only for Hibbert to block at his near post. But had the youngster looked up, he'd have seen Captain Fantastic Lukic sprinting upm in support and a simple pull back would have resulted in a tap in for Lukic and a fourth Matlock goal.

This was more like the Matlock Town of old and the fans esponded well with constant applauseto the standard of play on offer. A few more performances like these and Matlock will be back in the play off picture. It was probably their best league performance of the season and Prescot could have no complaints with the outcome.

MATLOCK TOWN: Richmond, Laight, Riley, Ashley, Hannigan, Lukic, Webster, Circuit, Taylor (Davis 87), Barraclough, Donnelly-Jackson. Subs not used: Caudwell, Benger.