Trialist Lee Whittington saved Matlock from an unwanted defeat by minnows Teversal at the start of their pre season programme at Caernarvon Street on Saturday.
The Baris Northern Counties East League first Division hosts had led since the 21st minute when a searching pass played across the Gladiators box saw SHAUN DICKENSON reach the ball before the outrushing trialist Town goalkeeper Dan Whatsize. The Tevie striker cleverly lifted his shot with sufficient accuracy and was overjoyed to see it drop just inside the far post.
Much of Matlock's pre season work to date has concentrated on fitness work with relatively little ball work, and that showed in the performance. Endeavour was plentiful, but quality often was lacking. Still, Town had enough of the play and sufficient chances to have won fairly comfortably, but Teversal deserve credit for making life difficult for their higher league visitors, so from that viewpoint a draw was a fair result.
Matlock's under 19 custodian was loaned to Teversal for the game with the hosts being without a goalkeeper while Matlock's team news saw new signings Michael Harcourt, Simon Sturdy and ian Holmes start with Chris Bettney and another trialist Alex Bracken make second half appearances.
Matlock had most of the early play with Ryan Mallon curling an effort wide before Gareth Davies had two commendable efforts go close within two minutes. A corner resulted from his second attempt which was glanced wide by Nathan Joynes.
But out of the blue Teversal scored and grew in belief, but their lead should have been cancelled out on 27 minutes when the impressive Harcourt flew down the right and his deflected cross was somehow headed over from close range by Holmes. Eight minutes later
Holmes went even closer as after doing everything right his goalbound shot was cleared off the line by a home defender.
It might have been 2-0 when Dickenson drove narrowly too high after an error in the Town defence with half time looming.
The Matlock players remained on the pitch during the interval as manager Mark Atkins shared his thoughts with them. An improvement was needed and with Bettney on, it came.
Mallon shot wide and there was then panic in the home defence with a corner being conceded before calm was restored. Bettney was terribly unlucky not to score on the hour, creating the chance for himself after Tevie had carelessly surrendered possession. The veteran winger kept his cool and seemed certain to bulge the net until for the second time in the game a Tevie defender appeared on the line to block.
A Holmes shot caught the frame of the goal shortly afterwards and Bettney hooked a shot past a post after again creating the opportunity by himself. Holmes did likewise as it looked as if it would be one of those days for the Gladiators.
Whatsize was well positioned to hold a firmly hit shot from a Teversal substitute who will be referred to as number sixteen due to the lack of a team sheet.
But the relief for the visiting contingent came when WHITTINGTON formerly with Scarborough and Hednesford Town and more latterly with Retford United last season when he scored against the Gladiators at the Reynolds Stadium, turned quickly to blast a twenty two yarder over the goalkeeper who then held a Bettney effort as Matlock sought a late winner.
MATLOCK TOWN: Dan Whatsize, Kris Witcombe Lee Featherstone, Liam King, Simon Sturdy, Adam Yates, Micky Harcourt, Nathan Joynes Ian Holmes, Gareth Davies, Ryan Mallon. Subs used: Chris Bettney, Steve Warne, Lee Whittington, Alex Bracken.
Referee: C Ward-Blyth, Notts. ATTENDANCE: 124 STAR MAN: Micky Harcourt
