Matlock Town vs Gresley Rovers
Wonder – Land – Rex Page – Burton Mail
Gil Land gave himself the perfect birthday present by helping Gresley Rovers to maintain their grip on the Derbyshire Senior Cup at Causeway Lane last night.
Land, 31 today, superbly headed Rovers into an eighth minute lead and then played a starring role in defence as the Moatmen, defending the trophy they have had safely under the lock and key for two years, forced the opening leg of their third successive final to a satisfactory stalemate.
Rovers brushed aside their recent traumas in the Banks’s League title chase to produce their most vigorous and effective performance for weeks.
They defended stoutly, worked slavishly hard in midfield and showed some of their old fire and penetration in attack. It was a formula that all-but gave them a precious lead to take into next Wednesday’s return leg at the Moat Ground.
Matlock football director Geoff Worth admitted afterwards: “Gresley were the better side on the night and deserved to win. Our only consolation is that we got a draw out of it and shouldn’t play as badly again.”
Gresley could not have wished for a better start. Gladiators keeper Stuart Wilson had already been tested by busy Gresley, but was comprehensively beaten when Land timed his run perfectly to meet Richard Denby’s carefully-flighted free kick and power home a header from eight yards.
And equally stunning goal Matlock back on level terms in the 17th minute. There seemed no immediate danger when John Barry headed out a free kick, but John Shepard gained possession 22 yards out to thrash in a right foot shot.
But Rovers, happy to absorb pressure and then strike on the break, could have regained the lead ten minutes later.
Paul Acklam worked an opening on the right with Rob Philpott, a surprise selection, and when the midfielder drove in a cross Neil Lovell got in a firm, stooping header which forced the save of the game from Wilson.
The pattern of a thoroughly entertaining game continued after the interval. Matlock tried to impose themselves in terms of pressure but it was Gresley who clinically carved out the better chances.
They were desperately unlucky not to be ahead in the 50th minute. Brian Beresford, fastening onto John Bottomley’s header, produced a vicious low drive which flew up off the hands of Wilson and crashed against the underside of the bar.
As Matlock forced their way back into the picture, Graham Hoyland’s header was watchfully turned over by Bob Aston, whose acrobatics also helped him to keep out a 25-yarder from the same player.
Gresley’s next spurt of pressure, however, had Matlock on the ropes. In a chaotic melee, Les Hunter and then Acklam broke onto Barry’s long ball out of defence, Wilson managing to touch wide a shot that ought to have left him beaten.
Matlock Town (1) 1
Gresley Rovers (1) 1
Scorers: Sheppard 17 (Matlock Town); Land 8 (Gresley Rovers).
Matlock Town: Wilson, Franklin, Mitchell, Thompson (Gee 74), Hunter, Fuller, Tilly, Sheppard, Hoyland, Marsh, Greaves. Sub not used: Burrows.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Barry, Dick, Denby, Land, Astley, Bottomley, Philpott, Acklam (Christopher 72), Beresford (Adcock 87), Lovell.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Gil Land.
Referee: G Stones (Walton-on-Trent).
Attendance: 431
