Matlock Town Ladies finally returned to winning ways on Sunday afternoon as they defeated University of Derby Women 2-0 at The Proctor Cars Stadium. The Gladiators came into this game with just one win from their opening seven games in this season's Derbyshire Girls & Ladies League Division Two league.
Goals in each half from Connie Dalton and Olivia Allen secured all three points for Katie Foster-Twigg's side.
It was a thoroughly deserved victory for Matlock as they dominated proceedings from the first minute to the last. The Gladiators almost took the lead inside the very first minute when Amy Barnett's 20 yard effort was tipped around the post by the Uni of Derby goalkeeper.
The visitors struggled to cope with Matlock's quick tempo and it was in the 16th minute that the hosts took the lead. Connie Dalton's initial attempt from 12 yards out was well blocked but Dalton was given an immediate second opportunity and she made no mistake as her effort beat the goalkeeper and found the bottom corner to make it 1-0.
Matlock came extremely close to doubling their advantage in the 24th minute when Jodie Morris was unfortunate to see her 20 yard effort cannon back off the post.
The Gladiators continued to impose their authority on the game and really should have entered the interval further in front. Bella Richards had a very impressive first half and saw numerous efforts from the edge of the penalty area either saved or steered just wide of the target. Leah Ferriby almost scored a sensational goal in the 37th minute when her looping 25 yard effort landed on the roof of the net.
The second half didn't see quite as many clear-cut chances for the hosts but Matlock still dominated possession and always looked comfortable throughout the game. Leah Ferriby came close again to securing a second goal for the Gladiators in the 52nd minute when her stinging effort from 12 yards out was palmed away by the goalkeeper before eventually being cleared away from danger.
Matlock finally killed the game off with seven minutes remaining. Chantelle Cotterill was allowed time and space to have a shot from 15 yards out which was palmed away straight into the path of the oncoming Olivia Allen and she pounced to smash home the rebound into the back of the net from close range.
Matlock Ladies skipper Natalie Loomes came close to making it 3-0 in the 87th minute when her ambitious 25 yard attempt was tipped over the bar.
The final whistle was blown bang on the 90 minute mark and the 2-0 victory means that Katie Foster-Twigg's side have moved up from ninth to seventh position in the league. Hopefully, this result and performance against a team above them in the division will spark a good run of form and confidence that will see the Gladiators move into the top half of the league.
Matlock Town Ladies Team: Fowles, Wilby, Loomes (c), Morris, Dalton, Allen, Richards, Millan, Green, Ferriby, Barnett. Used subs: Cotterill, Heathcote, Hale.
Sheree White Quotes:
"We've been really good. We got the ball down. We passed really, really well and played as a team. The team did everything that we asked them to do."
"Hopefully, this will spark an improved run of form for us. It's been there for us in the last few games - it's just the end product that has let us down. We created plenty of chances today, we took plenty of shots and we played as a team today which was the main thing. Hopefully, the positives from today will roll into the next few games for us."
Natalie Loomes Quotes:
"There were a few deflated heads since the last game but we pulled together today and put out a performance that we're all proud of."
"It's been a really big weekend for everyone involved with Matlock Town Football Club - for both the men's and the women's sides. We've all come together this weekend as a community. It's been a very positive weekend."
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