Matlock Town 2 Barwell 1

Despite heavy rain earlier, conditions were favourable for a hotly contested match as Barwell travelled to Matlock Town.

The away side started strongly until a fiercely hit backpass from Scott Lower was handled by Liam Castle conceding a free kick. However, Scott Hadland came to the rescue with a timely block.

After 14 minutes, Guy Hadland wrestled with Danny Holland, for which he gained a yellow card and Micky Harcourt drove the free kick goalwards. It took a vicious deflection and left Castle wrong-footed.

Four minutes later Barwell equalised after Tom Weale was brought down in the area by Corey Gregory and Luke Barlone converted the penalty.

Castle saw yellow for a tackle just outside the box fouling Holland but the ensuing attempt from Adam Yates was well blocked by Richard Lavery.

Just before the break, Holland supplied Gregory who spared Barwell by sidefooting over.

The second period started well for the home side as Darryl Thomas almost charged down a Castle clearance but it deflected over the bar.

Matlock took the lead after 54 minutes as Holland burst through the visiting defence to shoot. Castle parried into the path of Thomas who sidefooted home from 6 yards.

The Gladiators could have increased their lead following a bizarre attempt at a clearance from Lower but Lavery was on hand to divert the ball clear.

Barwell could have pulled a goal back as a Jack Edwards header was cleared off the line.

Despite a number of late attacks, the home side held firm and Barwell ended the day in sixteenth place in the league.

Team: Liam Castle, Scott Lower (Nigel Julien 58), Jack Edwards, Richard Lavery, Guy Hadland, Louis Harris (Eliot Putman 75), Kieron Brehon, Scott Hadland, Luke Barlone (Oliver Brown-Hill 88), Danny Spencer, Tom Weale.
Subs not used: Dave Barnett, Leighton Simmonds

Goal: Barlone (pen) 20 (assist Weale)

Yellow Cards: G Hadland 14, Castle 35, Barlone 67, Brown-Hill 93.

Attendance: 247

MIRA Man of the Match: Tom Weale