Match report: North Ferriby (H)

Matlock Town bounced back from a disappointing midweek defeat at Bradford (Park Avenue) to see off North Ferriby in style at the Proctor Cars Stadium.

 

The outcome of the game was rarely in doubt once the hosts were two goals ahead inside 20 minutes and certainly not in doubt after two quick-fire strikes early in the second-half had left the visitors with far too much to do.

 

And whilst top spot remains something of a tough target for Matlock despite them still sitting in second place, wins like this can only breed the confidence to achieve more as the season enters its final stages and for any slip-ups from leaders Redcar to be punished.

 

Matlock controlled things from the off and took the lead with the first major chance of note on 14 minutes, as Jake Thompson cut inside from the left and fired in a shot to which keeper Ben Bottomley got a hand but couldn’t prevent it finding the net.

 

Six minutes later, having just lost Ryan Viggars injured to be replaced by Conor Washington, the lead was doubled. A foul out on the left gave Cameron Wilson the chance to curl in a free-kick and defender Dwayne Wiley got up unmarked to glance the ball wide of Bottomley and into the net for his first goal since returning to the club.

 

Ferriby had barely threatened at all in the opening half-hour but reduced the arrears when a corner wasn’t cleared effectively and Barnsley loanee Voldi Mbaya had time to control the ball and pick his spot low into the corner of the net.

 

The second-half couldn’t have begun much better for the Gladiators as they scored twice in three minutes to end the game as a contest.

 

First, neat touches from Ben Sault and Alfie Atherton found Washington 12 yards out and he slid the ball to the right of Bottomley and low into the goal.

 

Moments later, an almost carbon copy goal followed as, on this occasion, Wilson received the ball from Calum Macdonald and turned before producing an identical finish to Washington’s.

 

That would be the end of the scoring as Matlock largely eased their way through the rest of the game, the impressive Macdonald going close twice to adding to the tally whilst Dylan Wharton in the Gladiators goal had very little to do as the hosts defended well to thwart any Ferriby threats and comfortably saw things out to take the three points.

 

Matlock: Wharton, Eratt-Thompson, Milambo, Bachirou, Granite, Wiley, Thompson (Sault 46), Macdonald, Viggars (Washington 17), Atherton (K Clayton 79), Wilson.

 

Not used: Oglesby, Mbayo.

 

Att: 613