Step 7 Matlock were pre-match favourites again against their Step 8 opponents tonight, having dispatched the county's best non-league side, Alfreton, in the semi-final. Matlock have had a fair season overall, finishing comfortably mid-table in the Northern Premier League Premier Division. Gresley on the other hand struggled in the First Division South but easily avoided a relegation dogfight.
I have recently moved offices to Rotherham and my friend has recently moved house to Chesterfield, and so this worked well for a dinner after work in Chesterfield and for cajoling my mate along to the game.
Following our pub-chain burger meal we took our place in the stands (on posh padded seats) with the Gresley fans (in order to boost the Gresley numbers), just as I had done two years previous. And just as two years previous I witnessed Gresley get totally outclassed by Matlock (much to the delight of the majority of the 715 spectators). This time, however, Gresley had no excuses.
Matlock started the game more brightly and created a couple of half chances before Gresley hit the woodwork amidst a goal-line scramble; Gresley's diminutive number 8 playing a role in the chance, just as he was key in all Gresley's moves. The little number 8 was Gresley's standout player with his pace and fleetness of foot.
Matlock were never in any real danger though, and shortly after Gresley's chance that struck the woodwork, they went ahead. With Matlock 2:0 up at half-time Gresley were still in the game but immediately after the interval Matlock scored again and then Gresley were in damage limitation mode. Matlock ran out deserving winners and demonstrated why they were a league higher up the pyramid.
Of the small number of Gresley fans that made the trip up north, a handful of them had obviously had too much to drink, and they came out with such classic chants as "You're just a small town near Buxton" and "Matlock Town, You're Having a Bath".
The goals are described thus:
1.0 Gresley were unable to clear their lines and the ball fell kindly the number 9 who, with a 22 yard right foot strike to the 'keeper's right, found the net, even though the 'keeper managed to get a hand to the ball.
2.0 An out-swinging corner from Matlock's right found number 8 unmarked on the far edge of the
six yard box. A header through the 'keepers hands found the back of the net.
3.0 Number 11 got to the by-line, left of goal, and whipped a cross to the near post. Number 9, three yards out by the near post, got to the ball ahead of the 'keeper and defender and managed to clip the ball into the net.
4.0 A free-kick, 22 yards out left of centre, was struck right-footed through the wall by the number 3, and nestled in the back of the net low to the 'keepers right.
5.0 The ball was played out wide right to the number 7 who, 14 yards out, took a stride to steady himself, before unleashing a bullet of a shot high into the net.
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