Matlock Town got their pre-season campaign under way with a perfect start after demolishing fellow Derbyshire outfit Wirksworth Ivanhoe 9-0 on Monday night at the Proctor Cars Stadium.
The Gladiators dominated the game throughout on what was a special evening as captain Adam Yates lifted the Wirksworth Centenary Cup in front of a return of spectators, in what was the defender’s last ever game as a player following his decision to hang the boots up a couple of months ago.
With the Gladiators being four tiers above Wirksworth and the fact Matlock won this same pre-season fixture 8-1 almost exactly a year ago, it was always expected that this would prove to be a very one-sided game. Despite Ivanhoe’s best efforts, Matlock (despite this being their first match of any kind since December) were far sharper and far fitter than their opponents, and it soon became a question of how many goals could the Gladiators put away rather than could they get the win.
Matlock immediately began the game at a high tempo and took the lead very early on thanks to an own goal. Alex Byrne fired in a splendid cross from the right wing and forced a Wirksworth defender into an attempted clearance; but with very little space to work in, the defender inadvertently fired the ball past his own goalkeeper and it hit the back of the net.
After around 35 minutes, Matlock’s sustained pressing was rewarded with a second goal as John Pritchard’s cross from the left wing found Liam Hughes, who was able to get in front of his marker and scuff the ball home from close range. The Gladiators then went 3-0 up just a couple of minutes later through one of their new summer signings, Alex Wiles. Byrne was at the heart of things once again as his cross from the right wing found Wiles all alone at the edge of the penalty area. The new signing from Gainsborough Trinity took his time with a calm and composed finish to put the Gladiators in a commanding position and Matlock remained 3-0 up as the half-time whistle blew.
If Wirksworth were hoping Matlock would take their foot off the gas and take it easy for the second half, then Ivanhoe thought wrong.
Matlock found themselves 4-0 up just three minutes into the second half as another new signing, Jesurun Uchegbulam, didn’t take long at all to add his name to the score sheet. The youngster, signed from Mossley under a shower of praise from assistant manager Dave Wild, took his chance smartly from around 12 yards out after waltzing past a defender inside the penalty area.
Four soon became five as centre-half Ryan Qualter glanced a header home from 12 yards ot following a lovely corner kick from Alex Byrne on the right wing.
At the 65 minute mark, everyone inside the ground gave a standing ovation to Matlock Town legend Adam Yates who was substituted at this point of the match. It was a thoroughly deserved mark of respect for a man who has been so loyal to the Gladiators after 12 years spent at the club, which has seen him pass the 500 games played mark for the Derbyshire club.
With twenty minutes left, Ryan Qualter found himself bagging a brace as he got in front of his marker to stab the ball home from virtually a yard out following Reece Kendall’s header inside a packed penalty area.
Matlock’s seventh of the evening followed very soon afterwards in comical fashion, as one of Wirksworth’s defenders made a complete hash in dealing with a left-wing delivery from Uchegbulam, and the ball was fired past his own goalkeeper.
With around ten minutes to go, substitute Ross Hannah got in on the act and fired the ball home from close range following a defensive lapse in concentration as the opposition’s legs really began to tire. The best goal though was saved for the very last one as the impressive Uchegbulam added a second goal to his night with around eight minutes of the match remaining. The new signing capped off a fantastic debut with a lovely, curling shot from 20 yards out which sailed over the outstretched goalkeeper.
Despite Matlock’s best efforts to reach double figures, the referee called time exactly on the 90 minute mark to put the Wirksworth defence out of its misery. Whilst there was always going to be a large gulf in class between these two teams, Paul Phillips should be very encouraged with his side’s performance. Considering the Gladiators hadn't played a game of any kind since December, the majority of the team looked very sharp, fit and hungry. Alex Byrne in particular was outstanding on the wing whilst Alex Wiles and Jesurun Uchegbulam gave a strong first impression in front of the Matlock fan base. A far sterner test arrives for Paul Phillips’s men on Friday evening as the club hosts National League North outfit Boston United.
Matlock Town starting XI: Rowley, Yates (c), Kendall, Egerton, Qualter, Lees, Byrne, Pritchard, Hughes, Wafula, Wiles.
Used substitues: Walker, Chippendale, Uchegbulam, Hannah, Triallist, Scott, Phillips, Triallist.
Rolling substitutes were allowed to be used throughout the game so there were no unused substitutes.
Attendance: 439
Paul Phillips Quotes:
“I thought we were okay today, we were good in parts. It was a good run-out for us. We were clinical in most parts of the game, hence the score line. There were still about three or four lads missing from the squad tonight, so at the moment it’s all about building the squad up. I thought all the lads who have joined us this summer did really well. We’re trying to make sure that we have pre-season matches against teams who are all at different levels, so there will be different tests for us all along pre-season. It’s just a matter of building ourselves up and being ready for August the 14th.”
“Adam Yates was fantastic as always tonight. There’s not going to be many people anymore who will reach 500 appearances for one club. Obviously, he’s not been training like the rest of the lads have: but he slotted in fantastically tonight, won every header, won every tackle. It just tells you all you need to know about the lad. He’s been a pleasure to manage and it was great to see all his family supporting him tonight.”
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