Matlock Town vs Heaton Stannington FC

Matlock Town

2

FT

The Proctor Cars Stadium

Northern Premier League - East Division

Heaton Stannington FC

3

Match Report

Leighton Hopper scored a stoppage time winner for visitors Heaton Stannington as Matlock fell to their first home league defeat of the season.

It had been an indifferent Matlock performance throughout but having led at half-time and been unable to build on that in the second-half, it at least looked like they’d take a point.

But the winning goal deprived them of even that and they lost more ground in an already challenging-looking title race.

Heaton played the better football for most of the encounter but after a first 15 minutes that saw few chances, it was Matlock who went in front when Conor Washington was clipped in the penalty area and Cameron Wilson stepped up to score from the spot.

But the visitors then got level eight minutes later as a long ball over the top sent Jay Errington clear and he produced a neat finish to wipe out the hosts’ lead.

Washington fired an effort just wide for Matlock soon afterwards but the hosts got back in front a minute before the break, as a good move ended with Kiyani Clayton’s cross being flicked home by debutant Ryan Viggars, on loan from Buxton.

The onus was then on Matlock to give themselves a cushion and they nearly did that early in the second-half when Jeremie Milambo combined with Washington whose shot was blocked and then Wilson’s rebound was saved.

Milambo himself then saw an effort fly just wide of the target, but the visitors then got level again on 63 minutes as a low ball to the back post was met by Hopper who dived in to equalise.

Milambo saw another effort saved and Washington was once again denied by a Heaton block, but the visitors’ winner arrived in added on time and it was down to poor defensive work.

Charlie Oglesby’s attemped clearance near the touchline was blocked by a Heaton foot and rebounded to Hopper in the penalty area who nipped around keeper Myles Boney and scored well from a narrow angle to send the visiting players, staff and fans into ecstasy.

It was too late for Matlock to respond, and the game soon ended to leave everyone of a Gladiators persuasion frustrated at their side’s inability to kill the game off.

Matlock: Boney, Eratt-Thompson, Milambo, Macdonald, Mbayo, Oglesby, K Clayton (Thompson 67), Sault, Washington, Viggars (De Girolamo 67), C Wilson.

Not used: Cunningham, Granite, Oram.

Att: 772