Linby came away from a rainy Matlock on the wrong end of a 7-1 scoreline this afternoon, writes Kieran Booker
The figure could have ended in something more usually seen at the nearby cricket ground if it wasn’t for a number of saves from Linby debutant Gavin Saxby including a second half penalty stop.
Two early goals gave Matlock Reserves a breathing space at the break before a second half Linby capitulation saw the away side concede a further five goals. Cam Jones was able to grab the sole consolation goal for Linby.
Despite a positive start from the away side, the Gladiators were able to take the lead after just 6 minutes. Tom Savage was able to break down the middle of the pitch, Saxby was able to stop his initial shot but the ball ended up bundling over the line.
Three minutes later, Steve Mallinder was unfortunate not to double his sides’ lead as he headed a shot into the ground after connecting with a free kick flung in from the far right side. The ball bounced up and deflected off of the cross bar.
Aidy Harris launched a long range effort for Linby which stung Jordan Pierrepont’s hands as they looked for a equaliser but within seconds the home side doubled their lead. A defensive mis-communication as centre backs Jonathan Jenkinson and
Sean White both jumped up for the same ball led to it gliding over their heads. Jordan Lee reacted quickly to race on to the loose ball before slotting past Saxby.
Both sides looked to create chances as the rain fell at the DCJ Group Insurance Arena. Mitchell Slawson was given room to turn and fire over on the edge of Matlock’s area before Ethan Knowles used his pace to cut in from the left side before releasing a weak shot at Linby’s goal.
The young Matlock Reserves side were full of confidence after taking the early lead and it showed in their attacks. Jordan Lee attempted a cheeky lob over Gavin Saxby after seeing the keeper off his line but the ball could only fall on the top of the netting.
Just before the half hour mark Linby started to find their stride and put the Matlock defence under some serious pressure. Slawson saw a shot smash against a wall of bodies before captain Harris saw his effort cannon against the post from close range.
Matlock’s high energy and enthusiasm continued into the second half and they got their rewards for it after just four minutes. Jordan Lee was allowed to turn inside at the right side of the box before curling a shot into the opposite corner.
A minute later, the home side was awarded a penalty. The referee had ignored Jonathan Jenkinson going down with an head injury, Matlock swung a ball in and Gavin Saxby wiped out the attacker. The keeper dusted himself down and made amends as he chose right and dived right to stop Jordan Lee’s spot kick.
Tom Savage got the next goal for Matlock after 55 minutes. The attacker calmly slotted under the Linby shot stopper following a team move which led to the blues breaking down the left side before finding him in the middle.
Lewis Saxby was clearly wanting a reaction by his side as he made all three available changes in the minutes that followed that fourth goal as he looked to salvage something from the game. Cam Jones, Stef Cobb and Jason Dawson replaced Tremere Lindo, Lewis Weaver and Jonathan Jenkinson.
The substitutions didn’t stall the onslaught though as Matlock grabbed another in the 64th minute. Midfielder Matt Wilkinson was the latest scorer as he was able to put the ball away from the centre after connecting with a corner.
Matlock’s captain Max Hunt got in on the goalscoring action two minutes later when he got the side’s sixth. A corner ended up landing at Hunt’s feet at the edge of the area where he was able to chip a shot over Saxby and into the goal.
Substitute Cam Jones was able to pick up Linby’s consolation goal after 70 minutes. Mitchell Slawson’s initial shot was tipped out to him free in the middle of the box, which left him with the simple task of tapping into an empty net.
Despite being comfortably clear, Matlock continued to push for more goals. Tom Savage was able to nutmeg a defender in the box but saw his final shot stopped by Saxby. Then Ben Edgson could only see his free-kick fly over from over 25 yards out.
The goalscoring was rounded off in the 87th minute by substitute Billy Whitehead. A well taken set-piece move from a free-kick out on the far left side of the pitch ended with the ball at the feet of Whitehead on the edge of the box, the striker ended things with style by burying it with ease.
After the game Linby manager Lewis Saxby said “I am embarrassed by that performance today. I am ashamed of the result and I am gutted for the fans and people involved with the club. I feel that soft goals have cost us again today and I told the lads after the game that they need to take a long, hard look at themselves and whether they want to play for this club.”
