MATLOCK TOWN 0 BARWELL 2

BARWELL won a disappointing game between two struggling sides with a goal in each half.

It was a disappointing performance from the home side who failed to trouble the scorers and were left empty-handed in what was at times a tense and tight affair that could have gone either way.

There was very little quality in the contest which was decided chiefly through Barwell’s hard work.

Matlock will be upset they couldn’t do more to put pressure on the visiting team.

The Leicestershire side had the better of a scrappy opening which brought no clear-cut chances.

It was out of the blue when Barwell took the lead when Matt Stenson rose to head a free kick from the right past Phil Barnes on 33 minutes.

Almost immediately, Matlock sought a response but goalkeeper Liam Castle produced a good block to deny Sean Harrad.

Matlock looked better after the break and Duane Wiley touched a shot wide within two minutes which was followed by Jamie Jackson nodding wide.

Matlock struggled to break down a stubborn defence in spite of having the lion’s share of the play and their error-laden display was summed up when a terrible defensive mix up presented Mitchel Piggon with a simple chance to slide in a second goal for the visitors with three minutes left. STAR MAN: Jacob Whitmore (Barwell) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★