Matlock Town FC vs Basford United
Matlock Town FC
2The Proctor Cars Stadium
Northern Premier League
Basford United
0Match Report
MATLOCK TOWN 2-0 BASFORD UNITED
A second half brace from top scorer Jonny Margetts gave Matlock a welcome win against lowly Basford in a game which reflected the recent struggles of both sides.
Matlock went into the game as favourites thanks to their decent home record, Basford meanwhile had failed to pick up a single point on their travels, a run which Matlock extended in front of the hosts’ lowe4st gate of the season, 492, which given the circumstances, was still a good turnout from the local fans.
Adam Yates went straight into the hosts’ defence after signing again late last week while another “new” face, Anthony Dwyer was also given a start in a side which had a very attacking look about it with Karl Demidh back in the attack after injury. Defender Robbie McNicholas missed out through illness.
Basford included midfielder Charlie Wakefield who was at Matlock in 2019/20 but never made an appearance plus Massiah McDonald in attack, McDonald netting a famous winner in the FA Trophy win against Mansfield Town in November 2012.
There was little to get excited about in the opening scrappy exchanges with both sides guilty of surrendering possession far too easily. It looked from the sidelines that Matlock’s confidence had taken a significant dent in the 5-0 reverse at Ashton seven days earlier.
There was an opening for Basford when they broke quickly from a Matlock corner and Remaye Campbell, in space on the left flank curled an inviting centre across the danger area which beat everyone. Then Jack Thomas tried his luck from distance giving Saul Deeney a comfortable save.
Matlock’s best threat early on came from an oft-used corner routine on the right between John Johnston and Joe West ending with visiting custodian Kieran Preston bundling away the Johnston’s shot. Midway through the half Johnston escaped down the right only for Margetts to knock the inviting centre wide with the offside flag erect in any event.
A mistake from a poor ball by Dwyer in midfield allowed Brodie Litchfield to advance, Deeney grabbing his low strike at the second attempt. A half low on quality ended with Finlay Armond heading yards over the bar from fifteen yards.
The fans would be hoping for an improved second half, there had been little for them to cheer thus far. Thankfully from the Matlock viewpoint and that of their fans it happened.
The tempo increased as did the quality. There was promise in the 52nd minute when a Joe West free kick was blocked , the ball falling to Johnston who shot directly at the well placed Preston, Shortly afterwards neither Demidh or Margetts took responsibility to finish when well placed, Margetts eventually stabbing wide. Then in the space of a minute Margetts twice struck the woodwork, heading first against a post and then from a corner on the left, glancing another header goalwards, this time the crossbar coming to the visitors’ rescue.
Basford immediately broke to win a free kick in a dangerous spot but Deeney held Wakefield’s low shot.
But the goal Matlock so desperately needed came from the penalty spot when Margetts was brought down by Peter Dearle and MARGETTS himself stepped up to blast an unstoppable spot kick into the roof of the net to give the Gladiators a crucial 63rd minute lead.
Matlock replaced Dwyer with Alex Duhameau who strove to make an immediate impact, his teasing cross from the left being narrowly off Margetts’ radar.
Duhameau though played an integral part as the lead was doubled thirteen minutes from time, his neat pass releasing West who kept his head to cross beautifully for MARGETTS to cutely touch a low effort beyond Preston from six yards,
The shackles were now off somewhat with Matlock seldom looking like conceding to see out the game in comfort.
Yates’ return was key as he organised a defence in which George Wilkinson had an outstanding game at right back. The midfield area still requires surgery with more experience and cohesion required and after being starved of service for the opening half, Margetts again came into his own to show what a jewel he is in the Matlock crown.
At the end of the day given a return of just one point out of the last nine, the win , however it was achieved was all important. It was far from being a classic but the records will show a Matlock win. Manager Martin Carruthers will know much sterner tasks await.
MATLOCK TOWN: 1 Saul Deeney 2 George Wilkinson 3 Joe West 4 Finlay Armond (14 Olly Clark 78) 5 Adam Yates 6 Ioan Evans 7 John Johnston 8 Harry Wood 9 Karl Demidh (12 Harry Wakefield 78) 10 Jonny Margetts 11 Anthony Dwyer (15 Alex Duhameau 64) Other subs: 16 Jamie Sharman 19 Alex Akers
BASFORD UNITED: 1 Kieran Preston 2 Dominic Roma 3 Peter Dearle 4 Jack Thomas 5 Mason Frizelle 6 Toby Ritzema 7 Massiah MacDonald (16 Motchell Woakes 68) 8 Brodie Litchfield (15 Kye Wade 85) 9 Remaye Campbell 10 Charlie Wakefield 11 Zeyn Hakeem (12 Matthew Bowman 78) Other subs: 17 Jason Alexander 20 Daniel Holmes
REFEREE: Edgar Brown (Quorn) ATTENDANCE: 492 BEST GLADIATOR: George Wilkinson