Baileans beaten as they give up a two-goal advantage

Matlock started well and took the lead when good work by Laura Body and Laura Donaldson set up Sarah Wain who slotted the ball home from around the penalty spot.

The second goal came from a short corner conversion, superbly finished off by Sarah Archer just after half-time.

Harbourne then began to up the ante and gained a number of short corners. After one of these broke down they were awarded a penalty flick but stand-in keeper Danielle Archer produced an excellent save.

But Harbourne soon pulled a goal back from a short corner before Matlock’s Rachel Moor was dismissed for her second stick tackle offence.

With the advantage Harbourne soon found the equaliser and then took the lead before Moor returned to the pitch, only to see Ruth Whittaker replace her for attempting to play an aerial ball from an illegal height.

Harbourne held on to win - a wasted opportunity for Matlock who travel to Birmingham University this weekend.

Laura Body was player of the match.

Baileans’ second team faced Loughborough Students at home but fell to a 4-0 defeat.

In what was a tough game from the first whistle, Matlock’s effort and commitment could not be faulted despite the result.

Penalty corner after penalty corner was kept out by Chris Poyser, Hollie Smedley, Jess Liddle and Claire Croll, while Matlock then lost captain Charlotte Horton and Loughborough scored their first goal as the hosts adapted.

In the second-half, after a lot of pressure on the Matlock goal, a well taken penalty drag flick saw Loughborough take a 2-0 lead, and despite Nina Smedley and Beth Harwood trying to get a goal back, the goal just didn’t come and Loughborough added two more to complete the win.

Matlock thirds enjoyed a 1-0 win against joint top-of-the-league Staveley firsts.

Matlock started well and won several penalty corners, one of which saw a strike from Jane Proctor put them ahead.

Baileans held firm in the second-half against constant pressure, goalkeeper Amanda Jacques making several excellent saves.

Matlock fourths were beaten 3-1 by Phoenix who took the lead early in the game.

Liz English slotted home an equaliser just before half-time, but despite a battling display including a man-of-the-match performance from Bridget Gould, Phoenix were able to take control in the second-half to seal the win.

Baileans’ fifths fell to a 1-0 defeat against Rolls Royce seconds.

After a goalless first-half Matlock pressured well in the second-half, Izzy Copestake, Cerys Heap and Lauren Craven all going close.

With 15 minutes to go Rolls scored the winner after the ball found its way across a crowded Matlock D and was diverted home.

The player-of-the-match award was split five ways with Val Playdon, Anne Young, Leila Pankhurst, Elise Charlton and Liz English sharing the honour in a fine team display.