REPORT: UNITED 2-1 MATLOCK TOWN

BY CALLUM WRIGHT

The Ambers came from behind to win a dramatic encounter against East Midland rivals Matlock Town to secure a huge three points.

Scott Boden scored from the spot early in the second half to give the visitors the lead, but a goal from home debutant Victor Nirennold and an injury time winner from skipper Matt Thornhill gave Basford their much needed victory.

An expected aggressive opening stages fell upon the sides as both looked for a dream start into the game. There appeared nothing between the sides as the play travelled to both boxes several times, but no clear chances arose. Both debutant Kane Richards and Matlock’s Tavonga Kuleya had decent chances near the box, but both saw their shots straight at the keeper’s gloves.

After a slower period of play Jack Thomas whistled a shot from the edge of the box, but Wright saved well down to his right. Both sides looked dangerous on the counter however as the game trickled towards the interval, with another debutant Jack Waldron curling a shot over the bar after a three on two attack.

While a closely fought encounter, the first half ended without a great deal of threat from either side.

Only seconds into the second, a worrying cross into the box saw the ball ricochet onto Nirennold’s arm, leading to the Gladiators being awarded a spot kick. Scott Boden stepped up and sent Preston the wrong way, putting Matlock ahead in the 47th minute.

The Gladiators pushed for another as Kuleya remained a constant threat for the Amber defence, but Basford remained calm to try and push for a leveller. Remaye Cambell came agonisingly close to getting a touch on what would’ve been an almost certain goal, but the ensuing scramble saw the ball cleared.

The Ambers won two dangerous free kicks on the edge of the box, but neither of Kieron Fenton’s deliveries troubled the Matlock backline. Jordan Hallam, who had returned to the pitch following an injury spell, forced Wright into a fantastic diving save, but the danger was far from over for Matlock.

Thornhill’s corner caused confusion for the Gladiators, giving Kane Richards a chance to shoot. His powerful shot could only be parried by Wright, allowing Nirennold a chance for redemption as he tapped in an easy goal in the 76th minute to bring the Ambers level.

The venom remained in Basford’s bite as Rev James almost immediately after struck the bar twice in quick succession. Kieron Fenton was the next to take aim and almost scored one of the goals of the season from the halfway line, but could also only strike the woodwork.

Another debutant, Fin Ryder, almost caught Wright out with a backheel but again the Matlock keeper saved. With time almost up the Ambers smelt a winner but all chances went begging.

With the game well into injury time, Hallam and Richards combined brilliantly for Basford’s last onslaught, leading the latter to whip a pin perfect cross to the
skipper at the near post, who headed in a 96th minute winner as Greenwich Avenue went into chaos.

STARTING XI: Kieran Preston, Jack Waldron, Henri Wilder, Prince Mancinelli (Josh Barnes 82'), Victor Nirennold, Kieran Fenton, Kane Richards, Jack Thomas (Jordan Hallam 58'), Remaye Campbell (Fin Ryder 58'), Matt Thornhill (c), Rev James.

SUBS NOT USED: Mason Frizelle, Jordan Fankwe

ATT: 457