A lucky goal eighteen minutes from the end secured Matlock's first three points of the season at the Reynolds Stadium on Saturday.
Stocksbridge had looked overall the more likely to snatch the points until a low cross from the left from LEE FEATHERSTONE was fumbled over the line by visiting goalkeeper Dave Ratcliffe who was red faced as the ball squirmed under his body.
Featherstone was given the goal after much debate afterwards, although the dubious goals panel would surely have met and some members would have gone for a Ratcliffe own goal.
But they all count and Matlock will look upon the incident as a stroke of luck which went their way.
The Gladiators starting line up contained one debutant in striker Colin Marrison and one making a comeback as Kris Bowler sat in the midfield berth usually occupied by Liam King, beginning a three match ban for a red card in a pre season game at Goole. Goalkeeper Adam Sollitt was passed fit after being a major doubt with a back injury. He did as much as anyone in securing the victory.
Matlock made a sluggish start which gave Stocksbridge the chance to dictate the early play. Steve Woolley drove wide from the edge of the box as Matlock were put on the back foot in a largely scrappy encounter.
Then on 23 minutes Matlock had both Sollitt and Mark Haran to thank for staying on level terms. First the goalkeeper was down quickly to his right to knock away a low shot from Woolley before Haran threw himself at the follow up from Mark Ward to block superbly in a heroic piece of defending.
Matlock simply could not put any move of substance together. Possibly it was first day nerves as the Gladiators have been backed by many to be a force this season. But what they did do well was battle. Haran and skipper James Lukic were immense at the back and Kris Bowler worked his socks off in the middle of the park.
The speedy Jack Muldoon fired well over the Matlock bar on 33 minutes and it was a further ten minutes before Matlock tested Ratcliffe for the first time. Lukic strode up from the back to drill in a low effort which Ratcliffe was firmly behind.
The half ended with Muldoon making progress after a faulty Ross Hannah pass but Haran again was well placed to deal with the threat, timing his challenge to perfection.
There was hope for Matlock straight after the restart as Hannah, who was having a quiet game, saw his free kick deflect towards Haran who set up Danny Wood to drive wide of the back post. It was a decent chance and Matlock's best to date.
Sollitt tipped over a Ward shot after a series of ricochets in a Steels attack before Matlock at last started to show a little more of what they are capable. Ben Algar and Wood combined well only for the latter's centre to come to nothing and then Bowler had a drive well blocked by the hefty looking Steels defenders. Haran headed a Bowler corner well over before Matlock gave a debut to James Knowles with Wood making way.
Sollitt again did well as Matlock were lucky to survive on 63 minutes when Muldoon broke clear but the experienced former Non-League international custodian again won the day with a great block in a one on one duel.
Then came Matlock's lucky break before Sollitt made two comfortable saves from Woolley, but after taking the lead, Matlock rarely looked like relinquishing their advantage thanks to hard work and fine concentration.
There were three bookings to start the season off, Stuart Ludlam and Kevin Davies for fouls on Hannah and Marrison and Hannah for a mistimed tackle on Davies.
Hannah scarcely had a chance to open his tally for the new campaign but he was happy with the win. "We've won and not played well. Hopefully now with the three points under our belts, we can relax a bit more and show what we're capable of."
MATLOCK TOWN: Adam Sollitt, Scott Brough, Lee Featherstone (Dene Cropper 83), Kris Bowler, Mark Haran, James Lukic, Danny Wood (James Knowles 58), Steve Warne, Colin Marrison, Ross Hannah, ben Algar (Adam Yates 78) Other sub: Nick Buxton
REFEREE: A Moore--Stockport ATTENDANCE: 337 STAR MAN: Adam Sollitt.
