Official Frickley Athletic Website 

www.frickleyafc.co.uk

Saturday 22nd November - Frickley Athletic 3-1 Matlock Town

This game completed a deserved hat trick of victories for Frickley in the UniBond Premier Division with Matlock rarely looking like threatening the run of success.

Manager Billy Heath and his squad are producing a brand of skilful and attractive soccer which should ensure they continue to climb the table.

A long throw by Steve Robinson was flicked on by Jonathan Groome in the ninth minute and Lee Morris knocked it down for Chris White to shave the bar from 15 yards.

The Blues went in front a minute later, Danny Walsh picking out White whose cross was headed in by Morris from 15 yards, although there was a scare two minutes later when Simon Barraclough got away down the right and hit a low angled drive which Adam Nicklin smothered at the near post.

Danny Clarke made an impressive home debut, collecting a pass from Chris Gowen in the 14th minute and testing Andy Richmond with a 25 yard drive before breaking clear in the 25th minute and putting a strong shot inches wide.

Town were on the look out for an equaliser and Ross Hannah beat Dean Jones for pace in the 36th minute before drilling a low drive which Nicklin blocked with his feet.

A cross by Clarke was only half cleared by the visiting defence in the 42nd minute, and Steve Robinson put a first time 35 yard volley across the face of goal.

Two minutes after the interval, Morris found Walsh whose 20 yard drive was well saved but Frickley improved in the 54th minute, Neil Towler having an effort blocked and White lashing in the rebound from 25 yards.

Matlock brought on Dene Cropper and he raised their hopes in the 64th minute when he headed in a cross from Jamie Donnelly-Jackson, but it stung the Blues into action, Clarke being foiled by a diving save from Richmond three minutes later.

White sent Walsh down the left in the 70th minute and his deep, pinpoint cross was headed in near the far post by Morris.

A 20 yard drive by White five minutes later was punched away from under the bar by Richmond and Clarke had an effort diverted off the line in the 78th minute as Frickley finished in control.

Frickley Athletic : Adam Nicklin, Steve Robinson, Chris Gowen, Danny Walsh (Chris Davies 87min), Steve Heath, Dean Jones, Danny Clarke, Jonathan Groome, Lee Morris, Neil Towler (Rob Pell 72min), Chris White; subs not used, Bailey Camfield, Chris Hilton, Shaun Pierrepont.

Matlock Town : Andy Richmond, Ryan Laight, Matty Caudwell, Liam King, Rob Palet, Lee Featherstone, Jamie Donnelly-Jackson (Gary Webster 84min), Matty Thorpe, Simon Barraclough, Ross Hannah (Simon Harrison 59min), Paul Riley (Dene Cropper 54min). Unused subs. Nathan Benger, Shaun Pendleton

Referee : Mr J R Price

Gate : 279