Linby suffered a rare home defeat, their second only this season. But, in truth , they have played far worse and won games, writes Adrian Ward.
The lead up to the game was a harsh one for Manager Lewis Saxby, with FIVE defenders out injured, and influential skipper Aidy Harris ,also injured, he was forced to give a debut to 16 year old Centre Back Steve Johnson-Fikula. But in many ways , that , in itself shows how much strength in depth , Saxby has now built into the Club.
On Saturday they came up against a very youthful looking Matlock reserve team, who were very good on the counter, and possibly the best Goalkeeping performance by a visiting keeper for many years .
Matlock started the game well, and on 5 minutes, Linby had to be thankful to 17 year old Full Back Ed Heginbotham , who headed the ball off the line. 12mins, and Town led, a cross from the right and the impressive Tom Savage headed the ball into Josh Downies bottom corner , giving the Linby keeper no chance. 0-1.
20mins , as Linby began to get into the game, Tremere Lindos turns and his shot looked destined for the top corner, but the first of many, fantastic saves by young keeper Jordan Pierrepont , kept Town in front.
On 38mins, Linby were level, Lewis Weaver pounced onto a loose throw in, sped to the byeline and crossed for Jamie Tryner , to drill an excellent finish into the bottom corner for his first Linby goal,1-1 41mins, good work from Glenn Tolley set up Weaver for a shot which looked to blocked by an hand, but despite Linby’s appeals, no penalty was given.
The second half became the “Pierrepont Show” as Town’s keeper made at least five outstanding saves to deny Linby.
On 52mins, Tolleys through ball sent the speedy Weaver in on goal , but Pierrepont saved the one on one brilliantly. On 54mins, Tryner put Weaver in again , and again the keeper made a great save , Matt Murphy looked certain to score from the re bound , but Pierrepont was up, and saved brilliantly from point blank range.
On 70mins, Pierrepont produced a wonder “double” save to deny , firstly Steff Cobb , and then Weaver , again, incredible stuff .
Town then delivered the “coup de gra” a classic counter attack, saw Downie pull off a great save to deny Savage , but the ball fell kindly to Lee Jordan to sweep home, 1-2.
Linby strained for a second equaliser and Weaver was again denied by another good save from Pierrepont .
You then knew it wasn’t going to be Linby’s day, as Jordan O’Callaghans shot was deflected onto the post .
Town twisted the knife into the Linby wounds with another goal on the counter , a superb finish from Savage , left Downie with no chance . 1-3.
On reflection , Linby have played a lot worse and won games, and Saxby may have a better week, this week , with the possibility of a few influential players returning from injury .
Line up: Josh Downie, Ed Heginbotham, Steve Johnson-Fikula, Will Spray, Steff Cobb, Glenn Tolley, Jordan O’Callaghan, Jamie Tryner, Tremere Lindo, Matt Murphy, Lewis Weaver
SUBS: Ellis Williamson (for Murphy 69m), Kye Pilmore(for Tryner 69m), Nick Davies (for Lindo 80m)
LINBY M.O.M: JAMIE TRYNER