A double from Lee Whittington who has now struck four times in the pre season campaign, gave the Gladiators a somewhat fortunate win at Dronfield last Thursday night.
Certainly if you were a fan of the oldest club in the world, you would be feeling hard done to by the result. The Evo-Stik Northern Premier First Division South hosts, managed by former Matlock midfielder Mark Shaw, gave the visitors a stern test, but found Matlock goalkeeper Jon Kennedy in top form yet again.
But this game was probably the most useful of all the warm up matches played so far for Town boss Mark Atkins. It was more like what his team is likely to face when the season starts in earnest.
Not that Sheffield didn't spray the ball out impressively. They played some football that was pleasing on the eye with quick interpassing and movement, but they also were not afraid to mix it physically. In short it was more like a normal Evo-Stik League game.
WHITTINGTON struck as early as the 4th minute advancing on to a shrewd through pass from captain for the night Liam King and firing firmly past goalkeeper Dan Whatsize, who had been between the posts for Matlock in their opening two pre season friendlies.
Sheffield responded with great spirit and Kennedy did exceptionally well to push a downward header from David Graham up and on to the bar before Matlock scrambled the ball clear on 9 minutes. But a bizarre goal from a horrible error by Adam Yates gifted Sheffield an equaliser in the very next minute. Yates was far too deliberate and not quick enough in passing the ball out on the edge of his penalty area and his clearance struck SHANE KELSEY and rebounded into an empty net.
Sheffield upped the tempo and had Matlock defending deeply, Graham volleyed well wide and weir had a shot blocked before a fine clearing header by Simon Sturdy ended another raid.
Ben Algar, who had an excellent game, fired at Whatsize from long range before Whittington did likewise with a free header from a James Knowles cross. Then it was Kennedy's turn to be ideally positioned to hold a header from former Gladiator Matt Varley, before an intelligent chip from Andy Gasgoigne narrowly cleared the bar. As half time approached even a superb challenge by Sturdy could not halt Graham's progress thanks to a lucky bounce, but Will Kendall was awake to the danger to hack the ball out for an unproductive corner.
Although the second half was punctuated by changes, there was no let up in the endeavour, even though referee Dave Benton's whistle was a constant interruption.A Sheffield free k before Kennedy brilliantly clawed away a stinging low drive from Callum Harrison. By the 53rd minute two more fine Kennedy stops had denied Gasgoigne and Weir with Graham slicing a loose ball wide.
A break in the pressure saw Whittington spot substitute goalkeeper Adam Billard off his line but the well intended lob from 35 yards drifted wide. Ryan Mallon fired weakly at the custodian before Matlock had a quick double let off as Kennedy produced probably his best stop, flying through the air to tip a Connor Higginson blockbuster over the bar. From the corner, Richardson flicked a header against the bar.
But Matlock got stronger as the match reached its conclusion. Excellent approach play from Mallon set up Whittington who forced Billard into a marvellous diving save, while Chris Bettney and Algar shots flew inches wide of the target.
Algar was the architect of the winner, nine minutes from the end when his lofted pass found WHITTINGTON free, the striker having time to bring the ball under control and slip a shot past Billard.
Two minutes later the pair combined again and Whittington spurned a great chance of a hat trick placing his shot against Billard in a one on one duel.
Sheffield's threat had now evaporated as Matlock had weathered the storm to earn a very commendable win against a side who should do well in their division this season.
MATLOCK TOWN: Jon Kennedy, Witcombe (Micky Harcourt 52), Will Kendall (Kris Bowler 46) Liam King, Simon Sturdy, Adam Yates, Ben Algar, Lee Whittington, James Knowles (Ryan Mallon 52), Steve Warne (Chris Bettney 61), Lee Featherstone (Ben Turner 70)
REFEREE: D Benton-Intake, Sheffield ATTENDANCE: 171 STAR MAN: Ben Algar
