Beevers blunder sinks Matlock
CALL it calamatious, farcical, unfortunate, crazy - all could be apt descriptions of Lee Beevers’ own goal which decided Matlock Town’s Evo-Stik Premier Division clash away to Witton Albion.
The only goal of the contest arrived six minutes into the second half when the defender struck a hopeful ball from the home side past goalkeeper Ross Durrant and with the Gladiators unable to find a response, it meant a third successive defeat and a third game without scoring, while Matlock’s record of not keeping a clean sheet stretched to 15 league and cup matches.
Matlock survived the worst of the conditions to hold out relatively comfortably in the opening half, though skipper Rob Hopley clattered a header against the bar in the 41st minute.
Debutant Greg Tempest was unfortunate not to celebrate with a 13th-minute goal for Matlock from a neatly constructed attack as his well-struck low strike was superbly held by Greg Hall.
Luke Hinsley’s cross was headed powerfully but narrowly wide by Craig Westcarr within three minutes of the resumption, before Beevers’ blunder, but still the away side pressed and Craig Tempest struck a 20-yarder a foot too high, then Josh Wardle bravely blocked a Michael Hollingsworth shot from Westcarr’s cross to the back post.
The Gladiators were unlucky twice in quick succession as defender River Humphries cleared Westcarr’s header off the line and Adam Yates, on the follow-up, saw his shot deflected over by an Albion defender who knew virtually nothing about it as Witton held on to their lead.