After completing the great escape in securing UniBond Premier Division football next season, a buoyant Matlock Town were stopped in their tracks when their Pride Park date with Buxton in the Derbyshire Senior Cup Final on Tuesday night was controversially called off. Now the final has been delayed and switched to Chesterfield's Saltergate ground this coming Tuesday (May 5, k.o. 7.45pm).
The Rams informed the Derbyshire Football Association that their pitch was waterlogged at lunchtime on Tuesday to let down expectant fans of both clubs who had been looking forward to their big night out at the county's top stadium.
Both teams' websites have been flooded with posts condemning the decision which seems even more difficult to comprehend as UniBond play off games were staged at both nearby Ilkeston and Belper on the same night. And fans have also made their feelings known to the Rams by e mailing the Derby website.
Gladiators Chief Executive Keith Brown was astonished by the decision.
"I'm sure all our and Buxton supporters will share our bitter disappointment that the final was postponed at 12.15 pm on Tuesday due to a "waterlogged" pitch and at this stage Derby County have been unable to offer an alternative date. But due to the excellent co-operation between the Derbyshire County Football Association, Chesterfield FC and Buxton FC, the match will now take place at Saltergate, Chesterfield on Tuesday May 5."
The final has been a two legged affair for over forty years after originally being staged at Derby's Baseball Ground, but during the last year non league fans throughout the county have campaigned for it to be staged at Pride Park or Saltergate as a one off game to reignite interest in the competition which was badly waning.
The announcement a couple of months ago that Pride Park would stage this years final seemed to have answered the fans pleas.
Matlock boss Mark Atkins shared the fans and club officials' disappointment at the postponement.
"It's a crying shame and a very unfortunate situation especially as non league games near to Derby went ahead.All the players were looking forward to it and were ready and willing for action. It's one of those things though and we'll have to prepare all over again for next week."
A contributory factor in the Rams' action in calling off the final might have been Pride Park staging the Womens FA Cup Final on Bank Holiday Monday, but Matlock Town Supporters Club Chairman Ian Richardson believes it was a short sighted decision.
"This was to be a big night out for the players, officials and fans of both clubs, the chance for the teams to play in a Premiership standard stadium, one that some players might never get again. Fans had booked time off work and had made special arrangements in anticipation of a night out to remember. I find it hard to believe that the game could not have gone ahead when matches at both Ilkeston and Belper were played. Many Derby fans also live in the two towns and I know, (as I'm one of them), that a lot of fans follow Derby's fortunes even though they regularly watch either Matlock or Buxton. The Derbyshire FA in conjunction with both clubs worked very hard up to the day of the game to try and ensure a memorable night out but sadly it wasn't to be. Derby have shown a complete disregard for grass roots football. Chesterfield have come in to stage the final and all credit to them. Their help to Matlock Town and local football over the years has been immeasurable and I'm sure that fans of both Matlock and Buxton, as well as football fans in the Chesterfield area will turn out in force on Tuesday and enjoy a terrific final."
Atkins thinks that by playing the final at Saltergate, it could help his players as several including skipper Steve Warne, winger Jamie Jackson and defender Ashley Foyle, have been with the Spireites.
"A lot of the lads have been at Chesterfield at some stage, so that might just work in our favour. Now we know what Buxton are about. In the two league games, Buxton played to their full potential, we didn't. So the chance is there for them to put things right and win a cup."
Matlock's squad will now train on Friday night ahead of Tuesday, safe in the knowledge that their UniBond status is safe after recovering brilliantly following their Good Friday debacle at the Silverlands, to win their final three games and finish in 15th spot. Goal difference separated them from the Bucks by just one place in the final reckoning.
Atkins was both relieved and pleased that the Gladiators had survived.
"I'm very pleased . I knew we faced a tough task when I arrived but I also knew we had enough quality to stay up, especially with the players we brought in afterwards. It was a job worth taking, we've staved off relegation and I'm very proud of the players. In these sorts of situations you have ups and downs and there were a couple of moments when I wondered whether or not it would happen for us, but you have to stay positive and not let any negative feelings get to the players. Really there's only been the two Buxton games when I've felt we really didn't deserve anything. In most of the other games we've deserved a point or sometimes all three. But because the Buxton games came when we needed results, it took a lot of effort in lifting spirits, but those three wins at the end were fantastic. The lads have worked extremely hard and deserve to stay up."
Foyle picked up a head injury which forced him off twenty minutes from the end of Saturday's last day 2-1 league victory against Ashton United, but he should be fit to face the Bucks. Matlock though will be without the cup tied Danny Davidson and Adam Yates, while Ian Clarke, who pulled a calf muscle in the warm up last weekend and had to be replaced on the bench by Paul Riley, will also miss out.
Matlock's 4-0 home win against Marine on April 4 is being looked into by the Football Association. The Mariners local paper the Crosby Herald reports that the Merseyside club are at the centre of an investigation following irregular betting patterns prior to the game. Sky Bet suspended betting when it became apparent that high sums of money were being placed on a convincing Matlock win.
Gladiators Chief Executive Keith Brown confirmed this week that the Football Association had not contacted Matlock for their observations.
"This matter is being dealt with by the FA's Compliance Unit and there has been no contact by the Compliance Unit with Matlock Town. Marine have been contacted by them and are co-operating fully but as far as we're concerned, we have no involvement whatsoever."
A Matlock Town Select X1 including former stars Steve Taylor, Craig Thompson, Rockie White and Stuart Franklin, plus Mark Atkins, goalkeeping coach Nick Buxton and former Chesterfield defender Sean Parrish, plus fans who had paid to play, beat a Derby County Veterans X1 3-2 in a fund raising match towards the Gladiators New Stand Appeal on Sunday. The Rams included former favourites Roger Davies, Kevin Hector, Trevor Hebberd, Paul Blades and Phil Gee. Taylor showed he had lost none of his scoring prowess since he retired at the end of last season by netting a brace while the winner was scored by fan Ben Fearn.
Organiser Stuart Briddon thanked all those who had contributed to a successful day.
"It was a fantastic effort by everyone. I don't want to mention individuals as there's probably too many to mention and I'd offend someone if I missed them out, but I thank each and every one of them. We've raised about £2500 from the event, and on a nice day probably the only minor disappointment is that we could have done with a few more watching."
Matlock's Presentation Night will be held in the Gladiators Social Club on Friday May 8 (8pm) when the fans player of the year award plus other trophies will be given out. Admission is free and refreshments will be available on the night.
Meanwhile the Gladiators will be represented in the Matlock and District Football League's most prestigious cup final when Matlock Town Youth take on Ashbourne Town in the Cavendish Cup Final on May Day Bank Holiday Monday night (ko 7.15 pm).
"A lot of the players are members of the club's under 19 side hoping to successfully make the leap into adult football. They've had a very good season playing some very good teams and they would appreciate the fans support. Hopefully one or two might make it up to first team level at some stage" said a club spokesman.
