Ilkeston Town vs Matlock Town FC
Ilkeston Town
0New Manor Ground
Northern Premier League
Matlock Town FC
1Match Report
Jonny Margetts with goal number 31 of an amazing scoring season ensured Matlock would win a scrappy Boxing Day Derbyshire Derby at the New Manor Ground.
The prolific marksman struck in the 79th minute to take the Gladiators above the Robins in the table with two matches in hand.
After dropping two vital points in last Saturdays home draw against Morpeth, these three points were just what the doctor ordered and what manager Martin Carruthers demanded. Carruthers wasxreturning to his old club with his assistant Wayne Hallcro and a number of his playing staff.
The Matlock boss restored Anthony Dwyer to his starting line up in place of Alex Duhameau, this being the solitary change from the Morpeth game.
The visitors won a 4th minute free kick which saw Joe West's strike deflected off target for a fruitless corner.
But generally the sides cancelled each other out in a tame opening, the game badly in need of an injection of quality.
Saul Deeney was well placed to collect a header from Luke Cox shortly afterwards before Ioan Evans who was imperious at the back for Matlock, had to receive attention for a head injury and returned to the action sporting a bandage.
Nathan Whitehead shot too high and there was a poignant one minute stoppage around the 26th minute, the 991 fans showing their respects in a round of applause for 26 years old Sam Wilson who was tragically murdered in Ilkeston ten days previously.
The hosts`top scorer Jamie Walker put a header too high with neither goalkeeper seriously tested thus far. In an instant, the Gladiators were within a lick of paint of going in front as former Robin Anthony Dwyer thundered a twenty five harder against the crossbar with home custodian Matt Yates well beaten.
Deeney was again well placed as he held a shot from Declan Erratt-Thompson, the half closing with a yellow card for Matlock's Nathan Whitehead for a strong challenge on Connor Dixon.
Both teams attacked where their fans were housed in the second half, Matlock taking a good and noisy following, some in fancy dress, keen to enjoy the Christmas fixture.
A much better second half got under way with Deeney being called into action six minutes in, blocking a Walker shot after Dixon had fought hard to keep the ball in play on the right. This followed a Matlock break which saw Dwyer head wide and preceeded a Finlay Armond effort which suffered the same fate.
Walker flashed a centre across the Matlock box which was narrowly out of the radar of Ben Starkie before in a match which was becoming an end to end affair.
Dwyer looked to have a decent chance as he met a right wing cross from John Johnston. The assistant had raised his flag but a similar cracking manoeuvre down the right brought about the defining moment, Johnston picking out MARGETTS who emphatically lashed the ball home before celebrating with the travelling fans.
Matlock needed to be on their toes as Ilkeston sought a response, Deeney saving well from Larell King and Starkie pulling a shot across the face of the goal.
But with Evans mopping up almost everything, Ilkeston were frustrated although they wanted a penalty for handball against George Wilkinson, but referee Dan England did not have the slightest interest in answering g their pleas.
Matlock could and probably should have doubled their lead at the depth as substitute Duhameau drove wide in a one on one with Yates but in the end it did not matter as Matlock went home with all three points .
It wasn't pretty but three points and a clean sheet against your local rivals is completely acceptable and keeps the Gladiators in touch with all those vying for a top five play off place.
Ilkeston Town: 1 Matt Yates 2 Larell King 3 Sam Parker 4 Tom Marshall (15 Liam Loughlan 64)5 James Perch 6 Luke Cox 7 Declan Erratt~Thompson (16 Alex Marshall 83) 8 Connor Dixon 9 Tyrell Waite 10 Ben Starkie 11 Jamie Walker. Other subs: 12 Callum Minkley 14 L'varn Brandy 17 Micah Jebbison.
MATLOCK TOWN: 1 Saul Deeney 2 Kornell McDonald 3 Joe West 4 Nathan Whitehead 5 George Wilkinson 6 Ioan Evans 7 John Johnston 8 Harry Wood 9 Finlay Armond (15 Olly Clark 82) 10 Jonny Margetts 11 Anthony Dwyer (14 Alex Duhameau 82) Other subs: 12 Karl Demidh 16 Connor Dimiao 18 Michael Williams
Referee: Dan England (Peterborough) Attendance 991
Best Gladiator,: Ioan Evans