Weekly News - 27/12/19

A bewildered Steve Kittrick says Matlock’s dramatic Boxing Day defeat at home to local rivals Buxton was down to individual errors.

His side could not have wished for a better start, netting twice in the opening five minutes through former Buck Luke Hinsley and Tomas Poole, but after a delay for a change in referee due to an injury to Anthony Tankard, Matlock lost their way. Alex Byrne halved the deficit before the half time break before goals from Liam Hardy and Diego Degirolamo had Buxton in front by the 55th minute. All the goals were down to shoddy defending, as was the fourth, an easy tap in for Degirolamo for his second of the game late on.

“Every player should come out and speak to the press and give them their version” said Kittrick.

“2-0 up at this level, we shouldn’t have any doubt about winning that game, it could have been four or five. Bu individual errors have cost us three points. For the first one our keeper’s come to the edge of the eighteen yard box for a ball he shouldn’t probably have come for but we didn’t deal with it after that. The second one’s from a poor knock forward which they’ve won a throw as they’ve come at us. Dwayne’s missed his header, it’s gone over Luke Dean and the lad’s put it away. It was a comedy of errors, a ridiculous goal. For the third their lad’s got in behind Bailey, he was quick and he’s scored. The fourth one was a square ball from Yatesy to Bailey which their lad’s been quick to see, all four were very poor goals from our point of view. Buxton didn’t have to work for any of their goals.”

Kittrick’s assertion that the first and last ten minutes of either half wins you games could not have more credence with the timing of the goals, all being within these time frames.

“At 2-0 up we needed to be nice and solid and keep strong. Keep organised, play in their half and just continue what we’d been doing. Players make errors, that’s what costs you goals.”

More bad news for Kittrick is that central defender Dwayne Wiley was forced off with hamstring trouble.

“It’s a massive miss for us, a great player who’s done really really well. It could be two weeks, five weeks, it could be ten weeks, we don’t know at this stage. We might have to go now and get a centre half, we didn’t think we needed to but with Dwayne’s injury and Yatesy still on the way back from his hamstring injury, we’ll have to see what’s available, it’s getting that right player.”

Matlock did manage one new face ahead of the Buxton game as winger or striker Sam Scrivens was brought in from Guiseley.

Scrivens (24) was at Matlock on loan earlier in the campaign and put in some impressive performances. He had a trial at Chesterfield in the pre season and actually turned out for the Spireites against Matlock after playing a leading role for Penistone Church in the NCEL last season.

“I thought he did really well when he came to us before. He went back up to Guiseley but hasn’t been getting much game time. Buxton were in for him, we put our bid in which was accepted and I’m delighted he’s with us.”

Matlock now head to Gainsborough Trinity on New Years Day, desperate to put the Boxing Day result firmly behind them.

Gainsborough have surprisingly struggled this season and are currently in the bottom three. Former Matlock favourites Liam King and Ross Hannah held the managerial reigns until mid November when

Trinity brought in Curtis Woodhouse as their replacement, although both King and Hannah remain as Trinity players. Former Gladiators James Williamson, Curtis Morrison and Michael Williams are also now in Gainsborough colours . The Holy Blues will be boosted though by a convincing 5-1 win at Grantham on Boxing Day.

“It’s massive for us to get back on track at Gainsborough. We don’t want to get dragged into a situation where we don’t want to be. We’re too good a side for that but we need to pick up some league points. Boxing Day was really disappointing after we’d worked so hard in the past few games to get where we’d got to, so we’ve got to go again.”

After Gainsborough Matlock host Basford on Saturday week before seven days later they are on the south coast for their FA Trophy tie at National League Eastleigh. Supporters transport leaves the Proctor Cars Stadium at 8.30 am, bookings can be made through Bryn Apperley on 07795 377893 or via the Club Shop. Further news relating to the tie will be available soon as the two clubs are still discussing arrangements for the match.

In other fixture news, Matlock will travel to Basford in the Integro Cup on Monday 13 January provided there is no replay against Eastleigh. On Saturday 18 January they will visit Scarborough Athletic in the league while their home Derbyshire Senior Cup quarter final clash against Alfreton Town is set for Tuesday 21 January.

Ian Richardson