North Ferriby VS Matlock Town

Fantastic Ferriby’s unbeaten run continues as they extended their rich vein of football form to seven games following another fine display at the Versa Sportswear Stadium, seeing off promotion contenders, Matlock Town by two goals to one.

Chris Bolder made one change to the Starting eleven from Tuesday’s midweek defeat of Bradford Park Av, Josh Thacker came in for Elliott Walker and produced an outstanding performance for the Villagers, scoring both of Ferriby’s goals on the way to victory.

Despite a quick start from the visitors, Ferriby soon settled and meticulously went about their business. Some fine football began to flow in the home camp as both Josh Whiteley and skipper, Niall Tilsley came closest to scoring inside the opening fifteen.

Given their ascendancy, the Villagers were forced to make an early change, seeing Josh Whiteley replaced by Charlie Clements. Despite the change, Ferriby continued to ask questions of Matlock’s defensive capabilities as Sam Aynsley looked to punish them down the right.

Whilst remaining defensively sound, the Villagers got their just rewards seven minutes from time. After snatching the ball away from Matlock in the final third, Josh Thacker was primed, striking a low effort into the back of the net.

The Gladiators looked to respond in the final minutes of the half, yet it wasn’t to be, as the Villagers remained resolute in their defensive duties, heading into the break a goal to the good.

A new half of football dawned, and the Villagers ascendancy reignited inside the opening five minutes as Lewis Dennison broke away out on the right, finding Charlie Clements in space in the middle, he searched for goal, but Jake Dram somehow denied.

The Villagers were back in the action minutes later, Sam Aynsley fired narrowly wide after seeing the ball bobble around from a set piece. Charlie Clement came agonisingly close ten minutes in, seeing a fantastic headed effort tipped over the bar by Jake Dram.

Dennison, Thacker and Clements continued to spearhead the Villagers attacking drive, seeing further effort narrowly miss their mark; Charlie Clements with his and Ferriby’s best chance to double their lead after being played through and seeing his cross-goal strike pushed away by Jake Dram’s foot.

At the other end of the field, Ferriby remained resolute in their defensive duties as the Gladiators once again looked to get the ball down and play. 

After seeing the Gladiators down to ten, Ferriby took the initiative and extended their lead with and absolute peach of a goal. After seeing a set piece cleared, the ball fell to the midfielder’s feet twenty yards out. From there it was inevitable, Thacks took aim and nestled the ball firmly in the top corner.

As you could expect, the final minutes of the tie would prove something of a nerve-wracking affair especially after the Gladiators were handing a goalscoring opportunity from the spot in the eighty-seventh minute. With the penalty converted, the test was on.

With the minutes ticking down, both side still offered an attacking presence yet it would be Ferriby’s defence that would win the day, seeing out the game for yet another fantastic three point in the Northern Premier League East division.

Starting XI: Ben Bottomley, James Williamson, Jack Walters, Louis Kirk (Luis McCabe 77’), Niall Tilsley ©, Dom Romas, Sam Aynsley, Luke Hogg (Elliott Walker 45’), Lewis Dennison, Josh Thacker, Josh Whiteley (Charlie Clements 24’).

Unused Subs: Adam Porritt, Jordan Douglas.

 

Photos from the game:

You can see photos from the game via this link below, supplied courtesy of Mark Leighton. 

All photos copyright of Mark Leighton: 

See photos from the match by Clicking this link