It might have been a third successive league defeat, but this was a much better overall performance from Matlock who deserved a point from Tuesday night's Causeway Lane clash.
When Chris Bettney's header powered past Adam Sollitt after just 11 minutes, Town's fans had every reason to fear the worst after two heavy defeats in which a mammoth ten goals had been conceded. But Matlock at the very least restored some of the fans' faith in them as they dominated the second half, but were unable to find the killer touch.
Their cause in this respect was not helped as all three of their main strikers were watching from the sidelines by the time the match was entering its 75th minute.
Ross Hannah didn't even start having failed a pre match fitness test, and Dene Cropper lasted just 36 minutes before succumbing to a knee injury. Then Nathan Benger came off with a hamstring strain. Had Hannah been fit, the feeling was that his pace and scoring ability Matlock might have earned some reward.
Matlock reverted to a flat back four having played a 3-4-3 formation in the 5-1 loss at King's Lynn three days earlier, with Simon Sturdy partnering James Lukic in the centre, and Mark Haran being on the bench. Ben Algar was recalled on the left flank while the front two was Cropper and Benger. Gareth Davies was out suspended. Retford named former Gladiator Ian Clarke as a substitute.
Retford had the better of the early play as Adam Sollitt was down to grab a deflected Stuart Ludlam shot and after a free kick had been swiftly channelled down the left, Colin Marrison centred low and hard across goal. The Badgers got the early lead they wanted when BETTNEY rose above Scott Brough to score with a thumping header from a Marrison cross on the left.
Matlock nearly found a swift reply when just two minutes later when Cropper showed remarkable control for a tall player after being found by Algar. A neat turn was followed by a shot which was aimed for the bottom corner until Nick Ellis deflected the shot wide.
It was now a tight affair with Matlock very much back in the game. But scoring cxhances were scarce until Benger tried his luck with a quick turn and shot but he scooped well over from twenty yards. Losing Cropper was a blow Matlock could have done without, young Darren Cartwright coming on to play wide right with Danny Wood going central to help out Benger.
Steve Warne forced a left wing corner which was only cleared as far as Wood whose teasing ball in from the left was a touch too high for Benger at the far post. The half ended with Wood and Benger combining well for the former to see his effort hit a defender to earn another corner.
Words of encouragement from manager Atkins at the interval saw Matlock come out with increasd gusto as they upped the tempo. Yates released Benger on the right whose cross fell frustratingly behind the onrushing Algar. There was a glimpse of Algar at his best as he beat a defender before shooting low and hard only for Retford cutodian Chris Kingston to superbly tip aside . Minutes later Kingston again excelled, this time with an excellent grab at a low Warne cross with two Town players waiting to pounce.
Matlock were playing some attractive on the floor football. This was the way to beat an experienced and slightly pedestrian Retford defence. Benger created a chance for himself on 63 minutes but again the shot was too high. Then Liam King looked to be impeded as he burst forward, his final effort sadly lacked pace and accuracy as the ball rolled disappointingly wide.
At the other end Sturdy and Lukic were keeping the potentially dangerous Mick Godber and Darryl Thomas quiet as Retford hardly managed a goalbound shot in the second half.
When they attacked, Matlock needed that little bit of good fortune, which might have come but didn't when a 71st minute Yates strike took a deflection which sent his powerful twenty five yarder straight into Kingston's grasp.
The last fifteen minutes saw Haran thrown into attack alongside Wood, and although the giant defender won some good flick ons, his colleagues failed to respond, and it was a case of plenty of effort in the last third of the field, but no end product. Given the circumstances, it was hardly surprising.
Effort though, w as there in abundance, and when they kept the ball on the floor, Matlock looked a decent side, certainly not one in the relegation places. Injuries and a poor run opf the ball conspired against them. Retford boss Peter Duffield admitted that his side had been battered in the second half. Now they must build on this display and string together a good run opf results.
MATLOCK TOWN:
1. Adam Sollitt
2. Scott Brough
3. Adam Yates
4. Liam King
5. Simon Sturdy
6. James Lukic
7. Danny Wood
8. Steve Warne
9. Dene Cropper (Darren Cartwright 36)
10. Nathan Benger (Mark Haran 75)
11. Ben Algar.
Subs not used: Matty Thorpe; Nick Buxton.
Referee: A Parker--Derby. Attendance: 348 Star Man: James Lukic.
