Worksop Town 1-3 Matlock Town
Matlock's fine start to 2009 continued at a foggy and muddy Watnall Road as they deservedly saw off fellow relegation rivals Worksop to earn a UniBond Challenge Cup quarter final trip to Whitby on February 7.
Two goals from star man Nathan Benger plus a late third from winger Rob Lund on his debut saw off a Worksop side who were clearly second best in the first half before they exerted more pressure on the Gladiators defence after the interval.
Matlock made three changes from the team which had hammered Leigh Genesis at the weekend. With Paul Pettinger cup tied, Andy Richmond again deputised in goal. Lee Featherstone missed out with an ankle injury so Paul Riley filled in at full back to allow Lund to don the number 11 shirt and with Jamie Jackson not risked, Danny Wood was again pushed forward as Ashley Foyle began at right back.
Dene Cropper looked intent in putting his former employers to the sword. Within three minutes a scoring chance came for the tall target man but defender Tom Jones' last ditch sliding challenge was just enough to prevent Cropper from pulling the trigger.
Then Benger's harrassment of the Tigers began when four minutes later he set up Cropper with a short pass and Cropper's slightly deflected strike was well held by former Belper goalkeeper Adam Ogden low to his right.
Worksop's response was a brief one as Gary Townsend headed a Chris Adam cross too high, but it was soon the Gladiators back on the offensive as Wood skipped past his marker on the right to cross beautifully for Cropper's power packed header to flash well wide. Nevertheless it was a good effort.
After the Wood / Cropper combination again produced a Cropper header which flew past the post, Matlock got the goal their industry deserved on the half hour. This time the cross came from the left in the shape of Lund who looks to be a good acquisition. It was low and accurate, just like BENGER's low finish which easily beat the exposed Ogden.
Two minutes later Cropper was felled from behind by Jones and a penalty looked a certainty, but referee Craig Grundy was unmoved and when Cropper rose to his feet, he trudged off as manager Mark Atkins took no chances with his fitness.
On came Gary Webster to play on the right with Wood joining Benger down the middle. Matlock's energetic short passing game was a joy to watch and a fine move instigated by Benger saw skipper Steve Warne burst through only to be denied by a splendid stop from Ogden.
The Worksop defence looked all at sea and they were breached again in the 41st minute. Lund pulled a cross back towards BENGER who totally miscued his first effort, but the ball sat up sweetly for him to stroke a calm drive low into the corner past Ogden's left hand.
Matlock looked to be in the comfort zone but a moment's lack of concentration on the stroke of half time saw their advantage halved. A quick Worksop break saw Ryan Laight commit himself too early and CHRIS ADAM was left with a clear run to goal and Richmond, who had little to do up to that point, could do nothing as the Tigers winger drove the ball low and true past him.
The match suddenly took on a different complexion and home boss Peter Rinkcavage showed his intentions by bringing on giant striker Andy White for the second half.
Matlock had to withstand an early barrage without looking as if they would concede. The ball then was almost exclusively in the Gladiators half but they came closest to scoring when they broke with purpose and Liam King's well struck left footer from 22 yards forced Ogden into a brilliant full length tip around a post. From the corner, Benger rose high above Ogden but his header was always rising.
Wood, struggling with a knock, was withdrawn and Shaun Pendleton came on down the left as Benger had his third striking partner of the game in Lund.
Townsend ballooned high and wide and Richmond was rock solid at the back twice denying White, but Matlock were the more dangerous and the Tigers held on by the skin of their teeth as successive shots from Flint, King and Warne were charged down.
After White miscued off target, Lund's hard work set up Benger whose attempted lob was claimed by the backpedalling Ogden who instantly got Worksop moving to the other end where Richmond again stood firm to keep out a White header.
Matlock's fitness was being tested but they emerged with flying colours. Both Warne and King drove wide and the Gladiators were denied a penalty for the second time as Ryan Ludlam mistimed his challenge on Lund.
But Matlock and the new boy would have the final say. Warne fed Benger on the left who this time was the provider for LUND with a cracking lofted ball to the back post whose first game ended in memorable fashion as he squeezed his shot under Ogden low into the opposite corner.
The Gladiators are now eight league and cup games unbeaten and Atkins' influence icontinues to be apparent, a fact appreciated by the travelling fans who applauded the boss and his troops off at the final whistle.
MATLOCK TOWN: Richmond, Foyle, Riley, King, Flint, Laight, Wood (Pendleton 53), Warne, Cropper (Webster 33), Benger, Lund. Other subs: Federenko, Cartwright, Williams.
REFEREE: Craig Grundy--Sheffield. ATTENDANCE: 183 STAR MAN: Nathan Benger.
