The Proctor Cars Stadium, Causeway Lane, home of Matlock Town based in the Derbyshire Dales and play their trade in Step 3 of the non league system in the Northern Premier League. Nicknamed the “Gladiators!” I’m guessing that could be due to Riber Castle overlooking the town perhaps? Mansfield Town the visitors here tonight!! Another pre-season game 3 days after the previous one, come on the stags!!
It’s my 100th ground hop blog post tonight!!! Let’s make it a cracker! Straight to Sheffield station and off on the train to Chesterfield I go. The Super Stag along with Tom and Lewis have joined me again tonight just like Retford and off we go on the lovely drive to Matlock!!
We arrived there in plenty of time and what a little town this is!! But time is up and time to get into the ground. £10 to get into this one! *Raises Eyebrows* A big turnout tonight! A sea of yellow and blue!! There’s some Matlock fans here too. A yellow pyro has been thrown on the pitch now… Oh football!!
Kick Off! “Yellows!!” I’ve missed hearing that sound!! An end to end start to the game so far with both teams showing an eagerness. 12 minutes in and James Clarke has the ball in the Mansfield half, he plays back to the keeper… It’s a soft ball and Wafula chases it for Matlock… He beats the keeper to it… It falls to a Mansfield defender and they clear.
14 minutes in and Matlock play a long ball into the box from midfield, Hughes gets it and brings it down brilliantly, he sets up Chippendale… And he finishes!! And Mansfield are behind!! 1-0! That wasn’t in the script was it? 19 minutes on the clock now and Mansfield come forward, it’s played to Kellan Gordon 20 yards out, he goes for goal… Deflected and out for a corner, in it comes… Cleared by Matlock.
29th minute and Mansfield have a corner, played short to Stephen McLaughlin, he gets to the corner of the box and he goes for the curling shot… Keeper parries… Off a Mansfield player and it’s going in… But Matlock clear!
It’s a very frustrating performance from Mansfield so far… 39 minutes in and Matlock play a long ball forward from midfield, Mansfield don’t deal with it and here’s Wafula through on goal for Matlock… Keeper saves! But it falls to Hughes for Matlock… He blazes the rebound over!! Should be 2-0! Mansfield would not find an equaliser before the end of the first half and Matlock would lead going into the second half.
Second half, 48 minutes on the clock, Mansfield have a corner, in it comes, Ollie Clarke with the header… He’s hit the outside of the post and it’s out for a goal kick. Mansfield are starting to push for the equaliser now! 58th minute and Mansfield have another corner, in it comes, OLLIE HAWKINS!! Just over…
“Blue & Yellow Barmy Army!!!” The Mansfield faithful starting to gather momentum now! Can it spur the team on? Mansfield having more of the chances with Matlock looking for a goal on the break should they get one.
“OOOOOOH You s*** b*****d AAAAAHHHHH!” Oh how I’ve missed that! 79 minutes and Mansfield fans including me are starting to get frustrated now… Ollie Clarke wins the ball in midfield, he plays it through to Corey O’Keefe who gets past 1 defender… The second defender clears for a corner, Matlock clear!
82nd minute now and Mansfield come forward down the left, Caine drives down but he’s brought down, the Matlock number 2 has already been booked… He’s off!!! Free kick from a crossing position for Mansfield now, Tyrese Sinclair crosses… All the way out for a Matlock goal kick… Rubbish!!!
Mansfield continue to press for the equaliser… Into stoppage time now and Mansfield play a long ball across the field… The Referee blows for full time! Oh dear Mansfield… But fair play to Matlock who battled really well tonight! Fair play to them!
FT: Matlock Town 1-0 Mansfield Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 6/10 – Great to hear the roar of the Mansfield faithful once again tonight!! Also great to see the yellow pyro again!
- The Ground: 10/10 – One of the most beautiful grounds I have ever seen!! It’s not voted one of the most picturesque grounds in the UK for nothing!! Character, personality, stands, it’s got it all!!!
- Expense: 6/10 – £10 is a bit questionable for a pre-season game but it was a decent game so I won’t be too harsh!
- Overall Experience: 8/10 – Great day out again with the Super Stag and Tom and Lewis!! Not the result we wanted but a great ground and good game to see!
30/40