New Mills 1-2 Matlock Town
The Gladiators second run out of the season proved to be a tougher test against a well organised New Mills outfit.
Indeed the home side took the initiative right from the off and caught many of the spectators out as they took the lead on 38 seconds. A free kick from the left was headed back across goal and side footed into the net.
Matlock hit straight back though almost immediately, and on four minutes, Ross Hannah capitalised on a defensive error to neatly slot the ball over the on rushing keeper, an incident which left the New Mills keeper with a bad looking injury.
The game ebbed and flowed, with half chances for Riley and Hannah again, but it was New Mills who finished the half stronger. Ashley Foyle misjudged a cross from the left which Robinson should have taken, and a further speculative effort from Robinson from the edge of the area just went past the far post.
Nine changes at half time seemed to lift the Blues and Lee Featherstone almost immediately put them in front with a powerful far post header. Young Darren Cartwright, trialling with the first team, then was unlucky to see his shot come back of the post.
The pressure eventually told late on as Pendleton powered down the left and cross for Ross Hannah to tap in at the far post.
Matlock probably just edged the match and boss Mark Atkins was pleased in particular with the 2nd half showing. It also proved a good first run out for strikers Benger and Hannah, with Hannah getting off the mark for the season with a couple of neat strikes.
Att 150
Matlock: Pettinger, Laight, Stratford, King, Foyle, Storer, Wood, Warne, Benger, Hannah, Riley
Subs (half time) Yates, Buxton, Clarke, Brough, Pendleton, Cartwright, Thorpe, Hardy, Featherstone
