Matlock Town Reserves defeat Teversal in CMFL Reserve Supreme Division

After missing a gilt edged opportunity in the first minute, Dave Edge put the Gladiators in front two minutes later when he was sent through clear on goal to beat Joseph Darby in the Teversal goal.

Five minutes later Matt Andrews picked up a loose ball on the edge of the Teversal box to send a left footed strike in to the top corner.

With Ollie Walden, Regan Cooper and Matt Wilkinson dominating the midfield, goalscoring chances were in abundance with misses due in part to lack of composure and a great save from the Teversal keeper getting a hand to a Jack Siddall effort high to his left.

Against the run of play Teversal pulled a goal back after half an hour through Callum Pursglove and the same player then hit the post with Marco Taaffe in the Gladiators goal well beaten.

Right on half-time a long range strike from Regan Cooper was tipped onto the bar by Joseph Darby and the ball dropped over for a corner.

Two minutes in to the second half Matt Wilkinson scored with a half volley from the edge of the area, restoring the two goal advantage.

But, within minutes, Callum Pursglove found room to turn in the area and rifled a shot in to the bottom right of the net.

Spurred by the goal, Teversal were now looking the hungrier side and after 55 minutes Toby Birch had his shot blocked and Oscar Govan-Greenacres follow up was saved well by Marco Taaffe.

Minutes later a right wing cross from Ben Griffiths was met by the head of Oscar Govan-Greenacre and Marco Taaffe pulled off a fine save as he was back pedalling to claw it away to safety.

Teversal’s desire to take the points was now clearly evident and it took last ditch tackles from Tom Laister and Phil Grffiths to keep the Matlock lead intact.

It should have been game over in the first half an hour, but credit to Teversal for a battling secnd half display which so very nearly earned them a point.